I reread Animal Farm last night. I think this is the first time I really appreciated it entirely. There's simply no way I could've gotten as much out of it before I studied the Russian revolution and its aftermath -- what was an abstract parody on utopian societies became startlingly concrete. I'm also reminded how startlingly unskilled the ending of the book is -- all throughout the author keeps it well-written, and the metaphor subtle, but the last few pages are blunt and poorly written. Ahh well, it was a good read. Now I'm starting on Brave New World.

I may have found someone to take my last green animate houseguest. Hurrah.

I have not reread Animal Farm since my first sitting. In my first undergrad philosophy class a friend gave it to me to read, and I honestly had no idea what it was about. Obviously metaphorical, but about what? A little bit older and wiser now I realize what was going on, and thanks to your post will dust it off again :)

BTW, you might check out the compilation of blogging Wikipedians that I made here: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikipedians_who_blog

-Brian (Alterego) - http://www.br1an.net

Green animate houseguest? Are you referring to the iggies, or a venus flytrap (or similar) plant?