LoveReading4Kids Says
This new Wordsworth Collector’s Edition of Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty will make a glorious gift for young horse-lovers. It’s a true thoroughbred that really does stand the test of time. First published in 1877, its themes of kindness, empathy and animal welfare were ahead of its day and still resonate today. Moreover, the tale tugs at the heartstrings as the plot gallops along at gripping pace.
With its durable hardback format, striking cover and gold foil trimmings, this edition will certainly add beauty to any home or school bookshelf, and will be treasured for years to come.
The Wordsworth Collector's Editions make wonderful presents for children; you can find more in the series here.
Reviewed by Joanne OwenJoanne Owen is a writer, reviewer and workshop presenter whose lifelong love of books began when she was growing up in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
More reviews by Joanne Owen About Black Beauty
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.
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Black Beauty Synopsis
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.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781840227871 |
| Publication date: |
7th September 2018 |
| Author: |
Anna Sewell |
| Publisher: |
Wordsworth Editions Ltd |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Pagination: |
282 pages |
| Series: |
Collector's Editions |
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About Anna Sewell
Anna Sewell was born on March 30, 1820, in Norfolk, England.
From an early age she suffered from a chronic illness (believed to have been a severe form of lupus) which left her with limited mobility. As a result, she often relied on horse-drawn carriages for transportation. These experiences fostered in her a deep concern for the humane treatment of animals. Her mother, Mary Wright Sewell, was a successful children’s author, and Sewell assisted by editing her manuscripts, gaining valuable experience in writing.
Sewell wrote only one book, the enduring classic Black Beauty. An invalid for much of her life, she composed the novel during the final decade of her life while largely confined to her home. The story is narrated by the horse itself, recounting moments of both kindness and cruelty. This innovative, humanizing perspective helped make the novel a lasting success and contributed to changing public attitudes toward the treatment of animals.
Sewell’s mother took the manuscript to her own publishers, Jarrold & Sons, and Sewell received just £40 for the copyright. The book was published in time for Christmas 1877.
Now in the public domain, Black Beauty can be freely published, adapted, amended, and abridged.
More About Anna Sewell
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