Black Beauty (Dover Children's Thrift Classics) Paperback – Abridged, May 4, 1993

So many of my favorite books growing up were about horses, and far and away the one I read the most was Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. I basically had that book memorized, and when I saw not one, but two, gorgeous vintage copies at a book sale recently, I bought them both! It was time to reread my favorite childhood horse story…delicately.Black Beauty was just as I remembered–and I still have it memorized. There wasn’t one moment that I had forgotten. The only thing that has changed is that now I understand the themes a little better.This is very much a children’s story, so it’s simple, sweet, and has a happy ending. The main character and narrator, Beauty himself, is sweet and kind and gentle–as a child’s horse should be. The themes of this book are about how to treat man and beast with respect, don’t drink to excess, and always practice what you preach. You can learn a lot from this steady black horse, and I love seeing that my beloved favorite still holds up after so many years.

The success of Uncle Tom’s Cabin led abolitionist Frederick Douglass to write that “nothing could have better suited the moral and humane requirements of the hour. Its effect was amazing, instantaneous, and universal.” Recognizing this impact, Anna Sewell determined to write the “Uncle Tom’s Cabin of the horse,” as told from the perspective of an actual horse named Black Beauty.Although Black Beauty wasn’t the first autobiography of an animal, the idea that a horse would have a life story to tell in his own words, detailing both the horrors and kindness he received from various masters, was revolutionary for the time. Sewell may have set out to do for horses what Harriet Beecher Stowe had done for African-descended slaves, but Black Beauty’s first-year sales quickly surpassed those of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, reaching international acclaim. Not all societies practiced human slavery, but virtually all of human civilization at that point was powered by equines who were forced to work under the constant threat of whipping or worse.According to authors Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy, 19th century animal movement leaders like Massachusetts SCPA founder George Thorndike Angell “dreamed of creating a new literature of animal appreciation, and he succeeded beyond all expectation, launching one of the nineteenth century’s best-selling novels and helping thereby to create a whole new genre of animal storytelling.”The popularization of Black Beauty by animal advocates like Angell sparked public outrage and real-world reforms, most notably the abolition of the check-rein — a device that painfully forced horses to keep their heads raised — and a campaign against tail-docking. But the book also forced readers simply to imagine what life must be like for a horse, encouraging readers to have empathy and give them a voice when they witnessed equine abuse, which was routine and widespread.Black Beauty opened people’s eyes to the possibility that an animal could have a point of view. Horses were transformed in the story from mere commodities to individuals with personalities, likes and dislikes, and most importantly, a desire to avoid the suffering that humans so frequently deliver upon them.

A cherished classic from the Victorian Era. As an English Major I have a whole new perspective on this novel than I once did, for Black Beauty is an authentic depiction of the treatment of animals during that era. Animals before were mainly seen as beast of burden, or submissive creatures beneath both God and man. However, the animal was coming into a new light, a light of intelligence and emotion, where-else before seen as simply dumb.I won't bore you with all the historic significance of this novel, except that it turned many mind towards the well being of their animals and laws to be introduced for their health. Anna Sewell only book changed the world, alike to Charles Dickens 'Oliver Twist' to child labor, or Charlotte Brontë's 'Shirley' to feminism and the "women-question."And any adult can enjoy Black Beauty, it is not a children's book but a masterpiece published to sway those who handled horses: "a special aim [was] to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses" - Anna Sewell. Also, a good companion to the unabridged classic is Warner Bros 1994 film starring Sean Bean (James Bond: Golden Eye, Game of Thrones), Andrew Knot (The Secret Garden), and David Thewlis (Harry Potter as Professor Lupin, Fargo), Jim Carter (Downton Abbey, Knightfall). It follows the book pretty well, with a few deviations (that I will not spoil for you).Concerning the Scholastic Classics 2001 Edition, each chapter contain a lovely, detailed image with a few, smaller images here and there throughout the novel. Growing-up with this edition I felt the need to re-purchase it after losing my original copy. This edition is unabridged and has a green cover with an introduction by Gail Carson Levine, author of Ella Enchanted.

Black Beauty is a British novel published in 1877. The novel is essentially a fictional autobiography as spoken by Black Beauty. Black Beauty changes hands many times and is exposed to many situations and conditions.The writing style is Victorian and as such there is no crass or vulgar language. The vocabulary is not overly advanced. The chapters are short and a youth with some reading experience and ability could easily read a chapter a day.Anna Sewell is clearly attempting to educate the reader about animal rights and animal abuses. She depicts many examples of the mistreatment of horses and animal cruelty. As such, I think that some of the situations depicted could upset some youthful readers. As an parent, or grandparent, I would read this story carefully along with my child or grandchild and carefully discuss issues of animal rights.In summary, I was glad to have found and read this novel. I am grateful that it is free on Kindle. I enjoyed reading it, but will probably not read it again unless it is as accompaniment for a child. Thank You...

Classic