Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

This is a classic. Set in Russia it deals with the psyche of humans. Each individual carries a mental notion of ethics and morality with him. Whenever actions are committed outside of the boundary, it creates a sense of guilt. Some over power the guilt but some get overpowered by guilt. When guilt overpowers once, it's in itself is a punishment. The "punishment" in "Crime and Punishment" is about the internal punishment which leads to external punishment as mandated by law.

A classic piece of work which brings out the shades of human mind and how it reasons with itself. The story is very simple but it grips you.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

The story traces the Soviet revolution and the Stalin era after that. In general, the story traces the story of any revolution. 

It all starts with an idea of uprooting the current system which has become selfish and painful to most of the member in the society. The revolution, if successful lays the foundation of great dreams for everyone in the society. However with time, some people start becoming more powerful than others by manipulating the system. The society once again goes back to the same status. 

The society braces for another revolution.

The book can be read at Project Gutenberg website at http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks01/0100011.txt