Audible Studios presents two new recordings of George Orwell’s most celebrated novels – 1984 and Animal Farm – with exclusive introductions, written and performed by Stephen Fry. 

1984

The classic dystopian social science fiction novel first published on 8th June 1949 as Orwell’s ninth and final book completed in his lifetime. One of the most brilliant satires on totalitarianism and the power-hungry ever written, introducing new language as words of warning for future generations; 1984, Newspeak, Doublethink, Thought Police, Big Brother is watching you…. 

Animal Farm

One of the most influential works of the 20th century. A socio-political allegory that reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then on into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union. Set in a farmyard, where the animals decide to seize the farmer’s land and create a co-operative that reaps the benefits of their combined labours. Four legs good, two legs bad….

I purchased a copy of this book for my own reading.

Both of these books have been on my radar to read for some time now. I knew they were going to be heavy reads. Having finally read Farenheit 451 earlier this year, I felt more ready to tackle these books. And having discovered an audio version narrated by Stephen Fry, this felt like the perfect edition for me.

I was correct in that assertion, as Stephen Fry’s narrations were spot on. He brought the core characters to life and let the dark tones of both stories a level of gravitas befitting them. Neither story is uplifting or filled with hope. Quite the opposite, they paint a dystopian picture of the world.

With Animal Farm, we see how propaganda can be used to rewrite the narrative to suit those in power. It makes for a wonderful allegory of the Russian Revolution and the Soviet Union. Through the concept of animals on a farm overthrowing the dictatorial ways of the human farmers to make a better, more equal life for animals, we see how the Soviet Union came to power. As those in charge take more for themselves and change the rules to suit their goals, it starkly illustrates how those at the top will take everything and leave those beneath with little.

1984 is very different, and yet feels more relevant than ever in 2025. With a government led by the imposing figure of Big Brother that controls all facets of life – good and bad – Winston Smith seeks to break from the restraints of life. News is heavily curated, food is rationed and controlled, and fun and freedoms of speech, thought and action are significantly restricted. People are encouraged to report their friends, family and neighbours for any infraction, large or small. Free thought and free speech were forbidden and even relationships were vetted to be purely transactional, not for love. 1984 portrays a dark world that feels uncomfortably close to the world we live in.

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