Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm Set / By George Orwell, Translated by Leo Ou-fan Lee

Professor Leo Ou-fan Lee retranslates Orwell's classic masterpieces, Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, using dystopian prose to awaken the public to remain clear-headed and vigilant amidst all sorts of inflammatory and dangerous "socialist" rhetoric. **Nineteen Eighty-Four** While there are many dystopian narratives presented in novel form, Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four and Huxley's Brave New World are arguably the most famous and widely circulated English works of this genre. Nineteen Eighty-Four depicts a world of ubiquitous Big Brother (the embodiment of totalitarian rule). Through telescreens, the Thought Police are privy to every move of the Party members' daily lives. Children growing up in this world are trained and instructed by the Party from a young age: to monitor their parents' actions and report any transgressions immediately. Not only are familial bonds severed, but love, friendship, and basic human compassion are systematically eradicated by those in power. The only love permitted and encouraged is love for Big Brother. Through Winston Smith, a character harboring lingering "rebellious thoughts," Orwell reflects the terrifying nature of totalitarian politics in its extermination of conscience and mutilation of humanity. Needless to say, he ultimately fails, but his noble spirit can be summarized in his own words: "He was a lonely ghost, uttering truths that no one could understand. But as long as you speak, even if the situation is hazy, humanity can endure. Others may not hear you, but as long as you remain clear-headed, you preserve the tradition of humanity." This is the value of Nineteen Eighty-Four. ------------------------------------ **Animal Farm** All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. Professor Leo Ou-fan Lee retranslates Orwell's classic masterpieces. Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm, lived a life of idleness, indulged in drink, and was cruel and ungenerous. The pigs, dogs, cattle, sheep, chickens, horses, and mules on the farm toiled for the owner by day, barely receiving enough food to sustain them, not to mention the physical abuse they endured if their work was unsatisfactory. One midsummer night, Mr. Jones got drunk at the tavern and, losing track of time, only returned to the farm at noon the next day, completely neglecting to feed the animals. He passed out on the living room sofa as soon as he entered the house. Consequently, the animals went hungry. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, a cow used its horns to break down the door of the granary. The other animals followed, each helping themselves to food from the feed bins. Mr. Jones suddenly awoke at this point and, along with his four farmhands, rushed to the granary, wielding whips and lashing out fiercely. This was too much for the starving animals. They collectively pounced on the cruel master who had tormented them. Mr. Jones and his men suddenly found themselves surrounded, attacked by horns and kicked by hooves; the situation was completely out of control. They had never witnessed or imagined such a display from animals. These livestock, once their slaves to be whipped and tormented at will, had now turned against them, terrifying them. In that instant, they decided to disengage, fled, and left Manor Farm. The animals finally took charge and became the masters of the farm, and from then on— Author: George Orwell Translator: Leo Ou-fan Lee ISBN: 978-988-237-184-2 / 978-988-237-130-9 Binding: Paperback Language: Traditional Chinese Pages: 110 + 356 **About the Author** **George Orwell,** born Eric Arthur Blair (1903–1950), was a renowned British novelist, journalist, and critic. His works include the non-fiction books *The Road to Wigan Pier* (1937) and *Homage to Catalonia* (1938), as well as his seminal novels *Animal Farm* (1945) and *Nineteen Eighty-Four* (1949). **About the Translator** **Leo Ou-fan Lee,** a distinguished scholar, translator, and writer, is a Professor Emeritus at Lingnan University and the author of numerous works. His academic work *Classical Chinese Literature: An Anthology of Translations, Volume 1: From Antiquity to the Tang Dynasty*, co-edited with Professor John Minford (The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press, 2000), was highly acclaimed. His other collections of essays include *Days of Eating Potatoes*, *Travels of Two Disabled Persons*, *Novels and Plays*, *Peeking into Paradise*, *When Love Runs Deep*, *Words Are Not Things*, *Where Love Lingers*, and *Blue Sky as a Mirror*. His translations include *A History of Modern Chinese Fiction*, *Chinese Classical Fiction*, *Nineteen Eighty-Four*, and *Animal Farm*.