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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
I think the boys will remember reading this one together. They were a little shocked to hear how wretchedly horses were (and sometimes still are) treated. They were a little bored at times, but mostly loved following Black Beauty’s story each night.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. It was an easy read but moving and tender.
A bit depressing. I think if you want the animal point of view, you can't go wrong with Jack London. Interesting story following the life of a horse from owner to owner. Increases empathy for animals of service and other.
Wonderful period piece. I love the language and the narrator! So many great points made about cruelty and kindness.
adventurous
dark
“God had given men reason, by which they could find out things for themselves; but he had given animals knowledge which did not depend on reason, and which was much more prompt and perfect in its way, and by which they had often saved the lives of men.”
Being told as an autobiography of a horse, Black Beauty advocates for good treatment of animals and living creatures. It continuously illustrates the intelligence which horses possess and how the treatment of them can reflect on their master/groomer/rider/… Going beyond this Sewell points out that good Samaritans live a happier and more fulfilling life.
Reading this I also sometimes found there to be critique of the institution of slavery weaved within the story. Black Beauty can be seen as a metaphor for a slave being sold from one master to another. The treatment varies from master to master. however, ultimately, Black Beauty is a horse meant to work until he physically can not anymore.
The chapters are quite short and always tell a small fragment of the whole story. It’s a novel full of nuggets of wisdom and now I want to go out and pet a horse. Maybe also feed it a carrot.