Book Review of Black Beauty
The Children’s Book Review
Black Beauty
Written by Anna Sewell
Ages 10+ | 288 Pages
Publisher: Wordsworth Editions Ltd | ISBN-13: 9781840227871
What to Expect: Horses, Animal Welfare, Kindness, and Classic Literature
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of young and old readers for over a century. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Sewell’s masterful storytelling and the poignant message at the novel’s heart.
Through the eyes of Black Beauty, readers are transported to a world filled with hardship, compassion, and hope. Sewell’s choice to tell the story from the horse’s perspective was a groundbreaking literary approach that paved the way for future writers to explore the interior lives of animals. The themes explored in the novel are just as relevant today as they were in the Victorian era, as we continue to grapple with issues of animal welfare.
Black Beauty is a lovely black horse that begins his career as a carriage horse, but when he is injured, his wealthy owner decides that he is no longer good enough to be a carriage horse. From that moment, he is passed from owner to owner and endures lots of hard work. Even though many inhumane things happen to Black Beauty at the hands of unkind humans, he lives up to his name both outside and inside, remaining a kind and respectful horse.
This story of his life from birth to old age is so beautifully descriptive that everything from his sprightly days as a colt in a farm pasture to a hard life pulling taxicabs on cobblestone paths in London can be readily envisioned. Each chapter carries an important message about animal welfare, kindness, and respect—and is filled with plenty of page-turning suspense, including a stable fire, a dangerous bridge, and a slew of memorable characters.
This Collector’s Edition of Black Beauty pays tribute to the beauty and elegance of this beloved classic. Every detail of the book has been carefully considered. From the bespoke illustrations on the cloth-bound cover to the embossed gold and colored blocking, this edition is truly one-of-a-kind. The matching colored endpapers add an extra touch of luxury, making these books the perfect addition to any collector’s library and an excellent opportunity to experience this well-bred story that will reach your heart and stay with you forever.
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About the Author
Born into a deeply devout Quaker family, English author Anna Sewell is best known for her childhood classic Black Beauty. Critically injured as a child, Sewell was unable to walk without aid and became highly skilled at driving horse-drawn carriages. These close interactions with horses led to an interest in their ethical treatment and inspired Black Beauty, which was written in declining health late in her life, and which remains her only novel. Sewell died of hepatitis in 1878.
What to Read Next If You Love Black Beauty
- The Black Stallion, by Walter Farley
- Misty of Chincoteague, by Marguerite Henry
- My Friend Flicka, by Mary O’Hara
- The Georges and the Jewels, by Jane Smiley
- A Books About Horses List
- Kids’ Book For Horse Lovers
Bianca Schulze reviewed Black Beauty. Discover more books like Black Beauty by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Animals and Classics.
