An interesting work, widely read in the academic world, "Animal Farm" does not often receive as much attention on a voluntary basis. I read this for a course, and I probably would never have picked it up if it had not been required reading. However, I did enjoy it once I got into the story. The extensive and vibrant symbolism is, in my opinion, one of the greatest assets this work has to offer. The academic setting in which I studied this novel helped to unravel much of the mystery surrounding the plot and make the important historical connections between the characters and events. As I have grown older I have come to a new and deeper appreciation of the book and would definitely recommend to classical literature and historical scholars as well as to anyone with a love of literary symbolism.