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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Took me back to my childhood Pony Pals days — and also my invisible horse Ginger who I took VERY good care of and was the best of all the invisible horses. It’s probably a sin to put Black Beauty in the same category as Pony Pals? Whatever.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is a series of anecdotes told by a horse as he ages and moves from owner to owner. Rather than having an overarching story line or a character arc, the book contains many small scenes, many of which are morality tales about the evils of alcohol and/or how to properly care for and treat a horse. This isn't to say that they're horribly boring. The voices are about as entertaining as moralizing voices can be, and it's not a bad read. I don't know that I would have finished it had I not been listening to the audiobook version, but having completed it, I'm glad that I did and I actually was edified by some of the lessons.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Grief
As probably everyone is aware, this book was the reason people started noticing how horribly horses were often treated back in the day, and is either the or one of the first examples of a book written from an animal's perspective. This gives the novel historical value.
I also believe that it has value for other reasons, and I don't believe this is a novel that should ever have been relegated to 'children's literature', for two reasons. The 'animal's perspective' angle is one that I believe many people could use, as too many people lack any sympathy for animals and believe that they can't feel or think. I don't believe they feel or think on anywhere near the same level as humans, and nor do I think they have personalities as complex as humans, but they do have personalities and they do feel and think. That's a fact that should be acknowledged, as refusal to believe it doesn't change it. Even the argument that 'it's only instinct' falls short, as much of human thought and emotion is 'only instinct', with predetermined responses based on genetics. If it's invalid for animals because of where the thoughts and feelings come from, then human emotion and thought is also invalid. You are only able to read this paragraph because of complex brain activity, which is electricity at its base. So it goes with animals, too, when they read the signs in a smell.
The other reason I don't believe this is 'just for kids' is because of the main theme of the book. Animal welfare hasn't gone away since this book was written, and even though there are different problems now than there were then doesn't mean it isn't something people shouldn't keep in their minds. Black Beauty still brings animal welfare to the forefront of your mind, even if it doesn't highlight the specific issues we're dealing with today.
Also, it's a good book on its own.
I also believe that it has value for other reasons, and I don't believe this is a novel that should ever have been relegated to 'children's literature', for two reasons. The 'animal's perspective' angle is one that I believe many people could use, as too many people lack any sympathy for animals and believe that they can't feel or think. I don't believe they feel or think on anywhere near the same level as humans, and nor do I think they have personalities as complex as humans, but they do have personalities and they do feel and think. That's a fact that should be acknowledged, as refusal to believe it doesn't change it. Even the argument that 'it's only instinct' falls short, as much of human thought and emotion is 'only instinct', with predetermined responses based on genetics. If it's invalid for animals because of where the thoughts and feelings come from, then human emotion and thought is also invalid. You are only able to read this paragraph because of complex brain activity, which is electricity at its base. So it goes with animals, too, when they read the signs in a smell.
The other reason I don't believe this is 'just for kids' is because of the main theme of the book. Animal welfare hasn't gone away since this book was written, and even though there are different problems now than there were then doesn't mean it isn't something people shouldn't keep in their minds. Black Beauty still brings animal welfare to the forefront of your mind, even if it doesn't highlight the specific issues we're dealing with today.
Also, it's a good book on its own.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's been about 40yrs since I first read this and I found it just as moving as I did the first time. Beautifull written, it takes you on an incredible journey of ups and downs in a horses life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: War
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This book is great if you love horses and always wondered what it'd be like to be a horse......