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The Orwell Collection. 1984. Animal Farm.
George Orwell’s most celebrated novels, Animal Farm and 1984, are powerfully performed by the acclaimed actor and narrator Stephen Fry in The Orwell Collection.
In Animal Farm we see a socialist revolution gone wrong and a society plagued by inequality where ‘some animals are more equal than others’. In 1984 listeners are plunged into a nightmarish dystopian world where ‘Big Brother is watching you’ and freedom has been crushed.
These timely and timeless novels are some of the most famous, well-quoted works of literature ever and have shaped the way we have viewed the world for over seventy years. Featuring exclusive introductions written and performed by Stephen Fry.
In Animal Farm we see a socialist revolution gone wrong and a society plagued by inequality where ‘some animals are more equal than others’. In 1984 listeners are plunged into a nightmarish dystopian world where ‘Big Brother is watching you’ and freedom has been crushed.
These timely and timeless novels are some of the most famous, well-quoted works of literature ever and have shaped the way we have viewed the world for over seventy years. Featuring exclusive introductions written and performed by Stephen Fry.
- GenresAudiobook
Audiobook
Published January 12, 2021
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
George Orwell
1,266 books50.6k followersEric Arthur Blair was an English novelist, poet, essayist, journalist and critic who wrote under the pen name of George Orwell. His work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to all totalitarianism (both fascism and stalinism), and support of democratic socialism.
Orwell is best known for his allegorical novella Animal Farm (1945) and the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), although his works also encompass literary criticism, poetry, fiction and polemical journalism. His non-fiction works, including The Road to Wigan Pier (1937), documenting his experience of working-class life in the industrial north of England, and Homage to Catalonia (1938), an account of his experiences soldiering for the Republican faction of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), are as critically respected as his essays on politics, literature, language and culture.
Orwell's work remains influential in popular culture and in political culture, and the adjective "Orwellian"—describing totalitarian and authoritarian social practices—is part of the English language, like many of his neologisms, such as "Big Brother", "Thought Police", "Room 101", "Newspeak", "memory hole", "doublethink", and "thoughtcrime". In 2008, The Times named Orwell the second-greatest British writer since 1945.
Orwell is best known for his allegorical novella Animal Farm (1945) and the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), although his works also encompass literary criticism, poetry, fiction and polemical journalism. His non-fiction works, including The Road to Wigan Pier (1937), documenting his experience of working-class life in the industrial north of England, and Homage to Catalonia (1938), an account of his experiences soldiering for the Republican faction of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), are as critically respected as his essays on politics, literature, language and culture.
Orwell's work remains influential in popular culture and in political culture, and the adjective "Orwellian"—describing totalitarian and authoritarian social practices—is part of the English language, like many of his neologisms, such as "Big Brother", "Thought Police", "Room 101", "Newspeak", "memory hole", "doublethink", and "thoughtcrime". In 2008, The Times named Orwell the second-greatest British writer since 1945.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 10, 2025
Utterly brilliant. Depressing but brilliant
March 15, 2023
1984
3 or 3.5 stars. Can't quite decide
Liked the first part mostly.
Didn't really get the Instalove from Julia.
Telly political 'the book' sections took me out of the story. It wasn't necessary. I'd got most of those ideas from the story.
Last part was just depressing.
Animal Farm
5 stars
3 or 3.5 stars. Can't quite decide
Liked the first part mostly.
Didn't really get the Instalove from Julia.
Telly political 'the book' sections took me out of the story. It wasn't necessary. I'd got most of those ideas from the story.
Last part was just depressing.
Animal Farm
5 stars
July 4, 2023
Orwell is a genius!
March 24, 2025
Đọc hai cuốn này cùng một lúc mới thấy rõ được tư tưởng xuyên suốt cũng như quan điểm của Orwell về chế độ cộng sản nói riêng và chế độ độc tài nói chung, ngay cả với một người không quan tâm nhiều về chính trị như mình. Animal Farm không khác gì cuốn sách vỡ lòng về cách xây dựng chế độ độc tài. Không có những triết lý sâu xa hay phân tích khô khan, nó mượn hình ảnh nông trại động vật gần gũi, quen thuộc với tất cả mọi người nên ai cũng dễ ... học tập và làm theo 🤣. 1984 thì cao cấp hơn, nó đen tối và nặng tính triết lý. Một số quan điểm của Orwell hơi thái quá, có phần hư cấu và giả tưởng nhiều hơn là thực tế (ví dụ việc giảm thiểu ngôn ngữ để hạn chế suy nghĩ). Nhìn chung đọc biết để đó thôi, thỉnh thoảng đem ra suy nghĩ triết lý tí cho có vẻ sâu sắc, chứ cứ an phận làm thường dân là được rồi 🤭. 5⭐️
February 11, 2025
Brilliant writing, expertly narrated by Mr Fry.
September 8, 2024
4.5* Fry is eloquent! He sustains his brilliant narration of Orwell’s classics with delightful tonality and clarity to lure the reader in. It’s an easy and enjoyable listen; highly recommended!
Indeed, Fry’s voice has appeal as he embraces the humour and sensitivity along with the serious and heady powerfulness of a myriad of characters and plot lines in both tales.
I recalled his fabulous narrations of all the Harry Potter books; the characters voices were just so entertaining in all of them (which I listened to during a Covid Lockdown).
And in 1984, when Fry spoke of the various Ministries (a term not used in Australia), such as the Ministry of Love, Harry P certainly came to mind with the Ministry of Magic etc.
Animal Farm was equally rewarding and those animal voices brought the book alive. I had read the book back in uni days but all I recall was the power of Napoleon and his control. A few years ago I re read it but this time, the audio created a new experience altogether.
Fry certainly knows how to get into all his character roles from humans, birds, dogs, chickens, sheep, horses and pigs. As well as the comrades etc in 1984.
I applaud him!
Fry delivers an A++ in this double story audio which, after a few years of not reading these books, opened up incredible nuances and insights I had not noticed before.
Indeed, while Fry describes in his own fabulous introduction, that when at uni, he had owned up to not having read either book, he also added that, like many of us, he was perhaps too afraid to take it on. And that’s ok he says. I agree.
But eventually, the power of Orwell’s brilliant, colourful and descriptive language, particularly in its distortion, as in 1984, attracts the reader. More so with Fry at the helm.
Orwell, Fry states, felt that political journalistic writing could not tell the truth like literature in story form. Thus he wrote his fabled Animal Farm.
Considering it was banned even after Orwell, at first, had his manuscripts turned down everywhere, it’s an insightful look into, not only the deep thinking mind, experiences and observations of Orwell, but also the culture and society etc of a post-war era in the 1940’s.
Orwell cleverly realised that, through his fabled AF tale, he could strike at the heart of a destructive regime despite it being banned for being too critical of the USSR.
And considering that the Americans airdropped the book behind the Iron Curtain too, it says much, much more about its impact.
Thus, dystopian books (Fry added Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ published 1932) were frightening in their day but can we be relieved that today, life didn’t get to the stage of these fictional stories Fry asks? Or have they?
Since one is confronted daily, by all multi-media at present, about the tragic details of the Russian-Ukraine war, as well as the Palestinian conflict in Gaza, one might think differently.
Why did Orwell write these books?
Fry adds in his introduction, that the author was an old Etonian scholar who served in the British Army and questioned colonialism and socialism in the Spanish Civil war (1936-39) when he fought alongside the Republican Army.
The Soviets had funded the anti-Franco cause and this was certainly an impact for Orwell. It shaped his future political thoughts which he elaborated upon in his personal account ‘A homage to Catalonia’.
Loss of individuality and torturous control etc is the basis of 1984. The terms used in this book have been utilised globally since. ‘Big Brother is watching you’ is more than just a reality Television show!
When you find out about the Ministry of Love’s torturous room/chamber, 101, you realise it’s anything but love!
Thus the distortion of language is acute.
War is peace, Freedom is slavery & Ignorance is strength further epitomises this dystopian mindset through distorted language.
Fry creates the eerie tension that Winston experienced in 1984. Cleverly narrated but Orwell is an author everyone should read….or, in this case, listen to!
Indeed, Fry’s voice has appeal as he embraces the humour and sensitivity along with the serious and heady powerfulness of a myriad of characters and plot lines in both tales.
I recalled his fabulous narrations of all the Harry Potter books; the characters voices were just so entertaining in all of them (which I listened to during a Covid Lockdown).
And in 1984, when Fry spoke of the various Ministries (a term not used in Australia), such as the Ministry of Love, Harry P certainly came to mind with the Ministry of Magic etc.
Animal Farm was equally rewarding and those animal voices brought the book alive. I had read the book back in uni days but all I recall was the power of Napoleon and his control. A few years ago I re read it but this time, the audio created a new experience altogether.
Fry certainly knows how to get into all his character roles from humans, birds, dogs, chickens, sheep, horses and pigs. As well as the comrades etc in 1984.
I applaud him!
Fry delivers an A++ in this double story audio which, after a few years of not reading these books, opened up incredible nuances and insights I had not noticed before.
Indeed, while Fry describes in his own fabulous introduction, that when at uni, he had owned up to not having read either book, he also added that, like many of us, he was perhaps too afraid to take it on. And that’s ok he says. I agree.
But eventually, the power of Orwell’s brilliant, colourful and descriptive language, particularly in its distortion, as in 1984, attracts the reader. More so with Fry at the helm.
Orwell, Fry states, felt that political journalistic writing could not tell the truth like literature in story form. Thus he wrote his fabled Animal Farm.
Considering it was banned even after Orwell, at first, had his manuscripts turned down everywhere, it’s an insightful look into, not only the deep thinking mind, experiences and observations of Orwell, but also the culture and society etc of a post-war era in the 1940’s.
Orwell cleverly realised that, through his fabled AF tale, he could strike at the heart of a destructive regime despite it being banned for being too critical of the USSR.
And considering that the Americans airdropped the book behind the Iron Curtain too, it says much, much more about its impact.
Thus, dystopian books (Fry added Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ published 1932) were frightening in their day but can we be relieved that today, life didn’t get to the stage of these fictional stories Fry asks? Or have they?
Since one is confronted daily, by all multi-media at present, about the tragic details of the Russian-Ukraine war, as well as the Palestinian conflict in Gaza, one might think differently.
Why did Orwell write these books?
Fry adds in his introduction, that the author was an old Etonian scholar who served in the British Army and questioned colonialism and socialism in the Spanish Civil war (1936-39) when he fought alongside the Republican Army.
The Soviets had funded the anti-Franco cause and this was certainly an impact for Orwell. It shaped his future political thoughts which he elaborated upon in his personal account ‘A homage to Catalonia’.
Loss of individuality and torturous control etc is the basis of 1984. The terms used in this book have been utilised globally since. ‘Big Brother is watching you’ is more than just a reality Television show!
When you find out about the Ministry of Love’s torturous room/chamber, 101, you realise it’s anything but love!
Thus the distortion of language is acute.
War is peace, Freedom is slavery & Ignorance is strength further epitomises this dystopian mindset through distorted language.
Fry creates the eerie tension that Winston experienced in 1984. Cleverly narrated but Orwell is an author everyone should read….or, in this case, listen to!
November 27, 2023
I listened to the Audiobook of this book and so the review is shorter than most I do, partly as it is hard to highlight sentences or passages that could be used in a review.
Although “Animal Farm” was first in this two book collection, I actually listened to “1984” first. Many years ago I did watch the film of “1984”, but during a chat with a friend, I realised that although I was aware of many concepts and terms from “1984”, I’d never read the book – and consequently in relation to “Room 101”, I was misusing the concept. Stephen Fry reads both of the books and delivers them wonderfully. I listened to “1984” as I was walking around Japan during a trip in May (2023) and there were times when the content and mood mapped very well with the rain that I was walking through. “1984” is a great book – I just wish that we could return to a world where it is a warning to how the world could become rather than it seemingly been seen as a blueprint by certain countries/parts of society for how to do things. I had read (at least parts of) “Animal Farm” as a child. I was probably too young to appreciate its contents then. Now, particularly after listening to “1984”, I was slightly underwhelmed by “Animal Farm”. Perhaps I don’t know enough about the actual people and events that it relates to to fully appreciate it. Or perhaps after “1984”, I just needed a different sort of subject. I don’t know. Perhaps I’ll revisit it some point.
See also https://hoodcp.wordpress.com/2023/11/...
Although “Animal Farm” was first in this two book collection, I actually listened to “1984” first. Many years ago I did watch the film of “1984”, but during a chat with a friend, I realised that although I was aware of many concepts and terms from “1984”, I’d never read the book – and consequently in relation to “Room 101”, I was misusing the concept. Stephen Fry reads both of the books and delivers them wonderfully. I listened to “1984” as I was walking around Japan during a trip in May (2023) and there were times when the content and mood mapped very well with the rain that I was walking through. “1984” is a great book – I just wish that we could return to a world where it is a warning to how the world could become rather than it seemingly been seen as a blueprint by certain countries/parts of society for how to do things. I had read (at least parts of) “Animal Farm” as a child. I was probably too young to appreciate its contents then. Now, particularly after listening to “1984”, I was slightly underwhelmed by “Animal Farm”. Perhaps I don’t know enough about the actual people and events that it relates to to fully appreciate it. Or perhaps after “1984”, I just needed a different sort of subject. I don’t know. Perhaps I’ll revisit it some point.
See also https://hoodcp.wordpress.com/2023/11/...
June 9, 2023
*REVIEW FOR 1984*
This was the first time I've read this book, though it's been on my radar for years! It was the May discussion for my online book club with the theme of banned books.
I think I'm in the minority when I say I found it boring and hard to keep going! Even with Stephen Fry narrating it...
Don't get me wrong, it was really questionable and relevant to the society of today. It was also a revelation to finally discover where a lot of today's phrases originate from - e.g. "Big Brother is watching" and "Room 101".
I just didn't find any of the characters likeable, which made it hard to like the book. The whole storyline does have a lot of good discussion points, however!
I don't think I'll be reading it again, however I *will* be reading more of Orwell's books - in particular Animal Farm as it is also on the edition I listened to!
2.5⭐️
This was the first time I've read this book, though it's been on my radar for years! It was the May discussion for my online book club with the theme of banned books.
I think I'm in the minority when I say I found it boring and hard to keep going! Even with Stephen Fry narrating it...
Don't get me wrong, it was really questionable and relevant to the society of today. It was also a revelation to finally discover where a lot of today's phrases originate from - e.g. "Big Brother is watching" and "Room 101".
I just didn't find any of the characters likeable, which made it hard to like the book. The whole storyline does have a lot of good discussion points, however!
I don't think I'll be reading it again, however I *will* be reading more of Orwell's books - in particular Animal Farm as it is also on the edition I listened to!
2.5⭐️
April 15, 2022
Both stories are didactic and aren't what anyone would consider beautiful literature but their dry style is punctuated with enough dabs of humour to avoid the entire thing feeling like a world building wiki that some Dungeon Master became a little too invested in.
March 9, 2022
war is peace
freedom is slavery
ignorance is strength
Big brother is watching!
freedom is slavery
ignorance is strength
Big brother is watching!
December 5, 2022
First time I’ve read 1984 since I was 14. One of those special books which changed my life.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews