Black Beauty

By Anna Sewell

As part of the wonderful Collector's Library Series, Black Beauty is one of the best is one of the best-loved classics of all time. This attractive volume contains the complete and unabridged story with 12 full color illustrations, plus numerous black & white illustrations throughout. The deluxe edition features a full piece cloth case, a four color illustrated onlay on the front cover, foil stamping on front and spine, stained edges on three sides, printed endpapers with book plate, and a satin ribbon marker. This book should have an honored place in any child's library.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Feb 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9780307808677

Anna Sewell

Anna Sewell (1820-1878) is a British novelist. Although she wrote a single book in her lifetime, Black Beauty (1877) has become one of the most beloved novels of all time. Due to an injury from a fall at 14 years old, Sewell became an invalid, and her resulting reliance on carriages led to her calling for the humane treatment of horses. Aside from her sole literary work, she assisted her mother in the editing of a series of popular children’s books.

Reviews for Black Beauty

[weeturtle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've read this book three times over the years. It's always been one of my favourites, first as I like horses, and second as it's even better when the horses are doing the talking.The book tells the story of the life of a horse from youth to old age, and the good and bad events that follow him. Through his eyes and occasional commentary you see people and animals of different attitudes and opinions. While Sewell was adressing the poor treatment of animals by people, she also acknowledges that there are good people and sometimes bad people have reasons for being the way they are though the eyes of the horse.The story is, at some points, quite miserable, but the end is heartening and it forces us to look at things from the perspective of the animals we work and live with.

[f2langman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of my favourite childhood books. The story of a horse told in first person, recording his adventures good and bad.Ideal for children who love animals, a classic that has stood the test of time.

[fotenosfamily · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked it. Some parts were sad, such as the part when Ginger and Black Beauty had the bearing reins. It also had happy parts, such as when Black Beauty was broken in and sold to Squire Gordon. I liked the book very much. -Naomi Fotenos (age 7), March 6, 2010.

[jtaylo41 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this cute book! I really enjoyed the way the author allowed her readers to learn about horses through horses' perspectives. It gives a mix of facts and fiction. For example the book states, “One day Farmer Grey decided it was time to break me in. I learned to wear a harness and a bridle with brinkers.” This quote was a fun way to learn the steps of breaking a horse in. It was also easy to connect to the horses because we were reading the story through their eyes. A great quote that shows this is, “”My mother said, “Some men are kind like our master. Others are not. A horse never knows who will buy them.”” The main message of this book was about animal cruelty and how to properly treat animals.

[gairid · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this story as a kid and to this day I carry it close. This is a wonderful book for children: it shows them the world through the eyse of a gentle and loyal horse and illustrates how animals should be treated with the kindness and love they deserve. I would recommend this book for any child of seven or upwards.

[themulhern · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An outstanding book slightly marred by some remarks about God's goodness and plans. Much of the abuse described in the book still goes on today. Making the horse the narrator of events was a remarkable literary innovation at the time. The book avoids the sentimentality of a good deal of Kipling's animal-as-narrator stories.It's also quite interesting in the way it describes the legalities surrounding ownership of horses.

[bookwyrmm_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I always thought this was a children's book, but I now think it is a treatise on the ill use of horses in the time it was written.

[mrsdwilliams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Black Beauty, a happy and pampered horse, is eventually sold when his owner can no longer afford to keep him. Black Beauty ends up with a variety of owners, some kind and others cruel, but through it all retains a certain sense of nobility and tries to survive as best he can.One of the best animal stories ever!

[ctpress_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Audiobook - wery well read - interesting to listen to Black Beautys reflections as he is sold to different owners that treat him sometimes good, sometimes very horrible. There's some really good moral lessons on how to connect to horses. And a humorous defense on resting on the Lords Day - Sunday :)

[librarycin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.25 starsBlack Beauty tells the story of a horse, from the horse's point of view, as he grows up and is sold from person to person. He is treated differently depending who is taking care of him, and is put to work doing different types of jobs. It is set (and was written) in the 19th century.I read this when I was a kid, but really didn't remember it. Animal-lover that I am, of course, I really enjoyed it. I always enjoy animal books even more when they are told from the point of view of the animal, as there is an attempt to understand how that animal would feel and how they would react to things and why they might react the way they do. I was actually thinking this would be a good book for people who work with horses.

[librarylou · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I can remember this book as a child, and watching the tv program. (The theme tune always made me cry!) This is a charming book charting the story of a horse throughout his life.

[nyanyanhoi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There is a horse that black and really beautiful. His name is Black Beauty.This story is written like a horse is talking to us.He was heard by his mother, “he should always be a good horse, and human will like you”.Presently, he left from his mother, he work hard for people who need him.Although he can’t say anything because of he is a horse, he work for human like pulls carriage. He has to do if he doesn’t like to do but he still works hard. I was greatly touched by his effort. I could read this book like I am horse. I think this book is really nice.

[lynnb_64 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a beautifully bound edition of Anna Sewell's classic story. I re-read it because I intend to give it to my grand-daughter. Black Beauty is told from the horse's perspective and contains a lot of information about how horses were used and treated 200 years ago. I think it has stood the test of the time because it is so evocative of an era.

[qwiksilver_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book, in one form or another, has stayed on my shelf since I was a child. It has wonderful life lessons throughout the story and should be required reading of any child, horse crazy or not. It is a must for any child with a pony. It taught me to be kinder to my ponies. (As a result, they were much kinder to me.)

[schmerguls · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A year or so before I read this book I read Beautiful Joe and was hugely influenced by it to be kinder to animals. I approved of this book for the same reason as I liked Beautiful Joe, though I remember being puzzled by the horse being bothered by a device which kept the horse's head elevated--I don't think that was pertinent to the horses I had a lot to do with . Our horses were for work, not for show.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

"Black Beauty" was my favourite book as a child, but as an adult reader it has lost its appeal. I don't like animal narrators and Black Beauty was just too perfect for my liking. He never complained, nor did he protest at the treatment he often received from his human owners.

Throughout the book I found many parts slow and I thought Sewell's message was heavy handed. I'm not sure how a 21st century child would cope with this book. I suppose those who are horse crazy would enjoy it, but I think many children would struggle as it is so far removed from their reality. I regret having reread "Black Beauty" as it has now forever spoilt my childhood memories of this book.

[lmhudson_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A classic story about a horse called Black Beauty and the hardships he had to face throughout his life until he finally came to rest at a good home with old friends. This is a story that can help teach compassion for animals as you get to live the story through the thoughts of the horse.

[teresac1.g3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It starts when beauty was a colt with his mother at his first home. His mother told him never to bite or kick anyone.

[terrapinjetta_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this and then I cried and cried and cried. And then I read it again. I was 8.

[maaike15274 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lovely but somewhat melodramatic. Unfortunately I have read this classic too late (I am a grown up now). I would have loved this when I was 9. Sometimes it made me very very sad (Ginger made me sad). Keep your hankies ready (not joking).Sadly there are still a lot of "black beauties" these days.

[laphenix · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a beautiful story with a simple, yet hearth-wrenching narrative.

[overthemoon_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

an undated edition given me by my grandparents on my birthday in1957. I suspect that I never read it, because I just did so and did not remember anything. The autobiography of a horse, interesting for the social commentary and especially the life of London cabbies.

[missjomarch · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book marks my sixth (#6) book read in my Classics Challenge to read 50 classics in 5 years. Most people have read this long before my age and consider it a childhood favorite. I had several horse-loving girlfriends growing up and surprisingly this never made it into my hands. Told in the perspective of the horse itself, Black Beauty's message is repeatedly that of kindness. Throughout his life he changes homes and owners many times. Some behave kindly while other do not. Regardless of how Black Beauty is treated he perseveres in spite of it and continues to be a strong yet gentle horse. His compassion deepens after witnessing the inhumane and cruel conduct to his fellow horses by their owners and caretakers. While this was elegantly written it was at a basic level and as such would consider and recommend it as ideal reading for children and/or young adults. How I acquired this book: Purchase by husband on Mother's Day visit to Moe's Books in BerkeleyShelf Life: 6 months

[deelightful-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have never been able to read this book without tears.

[lisabohman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Black Beauty, a horse, tells about his life beginning as a young colt in the English countryside. Each chapter teaches a moral lesson on topics such as kindness, sympathy, and understanding, all related to the treatment of horses. Black Beauty describes his hard life pulling cabs in London as well as the end of his life and retiring in the country. Although this is a children's novel, the book inspired other works about the cruel treatment of horses and other animals. This is a sad, yet sweet story about the hard life of a horse. I would recommend it to others. It is a true classic and will continue to be loved by generations to come, making us aware that animals have thoughts and feelings too. Children who love animals, especially horses should read this book.

[bookbrook · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was OK . I found it really hard to understand sometimes. I finally gave up and watched the movie. It's a sweet story but it has too many details.

[aliceanna-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I can't even finish this thing. It is dull as dirt. I cannot imagine a child being captivated by this story. If this was my first novel as a child, I probably would never have picked up another. Sorry, I like literature for children, but this one didn't do it for me.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A little preachy at times, but for a good cause: the cruelty directed at and on animals in 1800s England was rampant, and this book brought the untold story of life through the eyes of a horse to the general public. A child/juvenile book on one level, it is also for adults, and a good read and reread.

[molliewatts · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Told from the point-of-view of the horse known as Black Beauty, this is the tale of his life - the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Set in 19th century England, Beauty goes through myriad owners and names, meeting and befriending other horses along the way. I always enjoyed this book, but thought it was rather sad, as well.

[xandreax_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book sends a message to readers about the importance of treating animals kindly and the rewards that can be received in return. Anna Sewell understands animals and their needs so well which is why she did such a good job writing from the perspective of Black Beauty. Not only is there an important message to the story but the story itself is good and I didn't know much about horses before reading this, so I learned something. I recommend this story to both children and adults.