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Black Beauty (Wordsworth Classics)
£3.80
Black Beauty is a perennial children’s favourite, one which has never been out of print since its publication in 1877. It is a moralistic tale of the life of the horse related in the form of an autobiography, describing the world through the eyes of the creature. In taking this anthropomorphic approach, the author Anna Sewell broke new literary ground and her effective storytelling ability makes it very easy for the reader to accept the premise that a horse is recounting the exploits in the narrative.
The gentle thoroughbred, Black Beauty, is raised with care and is treated well until a vicious groom injures him. The damaged horse is then sold to various masters at whose hands he experiences cruelty and neglect. After many unpleasant episodes, including one where he becomes a painfully overworked cab horse in London, Black Beauty finally canters towards a happy ending. Although Anna Sewell’s classic is set firmly in the Victorian period, its message is universal and timeless: animals will serve humans well if they are treated with consideration and kindness.
There have been many film and television adaptations of the story, but it is only the novel that captures the authentic voice of the central character.
The gentle thoroughbred, Black Beauty, is raised with care and is treated well until a vicious groom injures him. The damaged horse is then sold to various masters at whose hands he experiences cruelty and neglect. After many unpleasant episodes, including one where he becomes a painfully overworked cab horse in London, Black Beauty finally canters towards a happy ending. Although Anna Sewell’s classic is set firmly in the Victorian period, its message is universal and timeless: animals will serve humans well if they are treated with consideration and kindness.
There have been many film and television adaptations of the story, but it is only the novel that captures the authentic voice of the central character.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Wordsworth Editions (15 Jan. 2018) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 208 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1840227613 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1840227611 |
| Reading age | 8 – 11 years |
| Dimensions | 12.7 x 1.27 x 19.56 cm |
by hong chen
My kids love it.
by sa276
Grandchildren loved the story
by Andrew KB2
I found the purchase of this book very tedious. I looked in all the bookshops and all were equally unhelpful. There are so many versions of this book, you really don’t know what you’re getting.
So I bought blindly. I bought the Wordsworth Classic version, which is a cheap and cheerful version.
It is complete and unabridged so perhaps not great for children if you don’t want them to read a somewhat graphic description of Gingers death.
by Daisy
A classic book a present for my grandson
by Dee Bunk
Bought this to read with my son. The biography about Anna Sewell is very interesting and makes you realise how important this was book was/is, and what an achievement it is. There are many interesting characters and view points on life and human nature, and Black Beauty’s story is compelling.
by Daisy
My favourite book as a youngster. Bought as part of a gift selection for our granddaughter. Great stories to read to a young child and to help them advance their reading skills as they grow.
by celia collins
A classic book that isn’t too heavy or deep that a 10-12yrs old wouldn’t understand..A good present for the younger reader.
by Babs
A brilliant book. I read it a couple of times as a child and had remembered the opening chapter well. It is a book drawing attention to animal welfare at the time, and is as relevant today many ways. Written from the view of Black Beauty it is in parts heartbreaking and joyous in others. It must be at least 55 years since I last read it and wanted to share it with my 9 year old granddaughter. I found myself skipping over a few of the most harrowing scenes and really wondered how I’d coped when reading it at a very young age! It is very well written and a joy to read at any age.