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Advantages: Works well as a children's fable or a political satire alike.
Disadvantages: Some of the characters are played down from their political inspiration.

I read and studied Animal Farm back in secondary school and did well in my exam for English literature based in part upon it; but I thought it time to revisit with the old favourite and see how time and life experience had altered my outlook. For those who haven't read Animal Farm, it is a political satire on the Russian Revolution and the rule of Stalin and ousting of Trotsky, after the death of Lenin in 1924. It like Orwell's later novel 1984, ...
...of political corruption and the decay of humanity brought about by power seekers of the higher classes. Though in contrast to 1984, this is seen to be a light hearted fable and a children’s book on one level, because of all the funny animals, especially the crazy pigs that end up becoming all too human by half! It's hard to imagine these two elements fitting together in one story, but that demonstrates Orwell's remarkable talent as a writer and his ... Read review

Advantages: Very addictive.
Disadvantages: Can't think of any.

Amy Sullivan is about to turn 30 and is a bit disillusioned about how her life has turned out. She has expected to be married with a couple of kids by now. As it happens, she has just broken up with Jack, who she thought she may have married. When Jack begins to go out with Amy's friend, Jodie, Amy is distraught. Thank goodness for her friend, Beth, who gives her all the support that she needs. When Beth and then her sister Suzy (who has just returned ...
...their partners just a week apart, it is the last thing that Amy wants to hear. But, as she is to be a bridesmaid at both weddings, she is not going to get out of the wedding preparations that easily. Slowly, Amy's life starts to piece itself back together. The book ends happily, but the author has done a good job of making it a happily ending book, without making the storyline itself too slushy. The author briefly covers major issues, such as cancer, ... Read review