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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Justifiably famous horse narration.
I've read this a few times in my life, this time it was out loud and to my son (who wanted to cross it off his 'Book Bucket' list). Watching him see the fortunes of the titular horse change, see his privations and how he is treated, it broke my heart at times.
Beauty is born to a blissful existence as a foal, with his mother, happy and loved. His adult life is then controlled by humans, he must go where he is bought and wanted. And make the best of what comes. Some scenes were hard to read - the breaking in, certain parts involving injury and animal cruelty, other animals dying. Sewell knew what she was doing. There was a lot to discuss - we talked about fox hunting and how animals are treated in general.
My son says he liked seeing a horse narrate the story, he's not had many books like that before. He didn't seem to struggle with the language, though I'm sure there were words he didn't understand but didn't ask me to explain.
It's still very readable and relevant and not a book for one gender or another, it's quite universal. The England of Sewell's time is remarkably clear and visual, and this gives a lot of information about cultural norms, social practices and ways of life for the rich and the poor.
It will play with your emotions, and young readers may be upset at times, though the 'full circle' approach gives a conclusion that satisfies and placates.
For ages 8 and above.
I've read this a few times in my life, this time it was out loud and to my son (who wanted to cross it off his 'Book Bucket' list). Watching him see the fortunes of the titular horse change, see his privations and how he is treated, it broke my heart at times.
Beauty is born to a blissful existence as a foal, with his mother, happy and loved. His adult life is then controlled by humans, he must go where he is bought and wanted. And make the best of what comes. Some scenes were hard to read - the breaking in, certain parts involving injury and animal cruelty, other animals dying. Sewell knew what she was doing. There was a lot to discuss - we talked about fox hunting and how animals are treated in general.
My son says he liked seeing a horse narrate the story, he's not had many books like that before. He didn't seem to struggle with the language, though I'm sure there were words he didn't understand but didn't ask me to explain.
It's still very readable and relevant and not a book for one gender or another, it's quite universal. The England of Sewell's time is remarkably clear and visual, and this gives a lot of information about cultural norms, social practices and ways of life for the rich and the poor.
It will play with your emotions, and young readers may be upset at times, though the 'full circle' approach gives a conclusion that satisfies and placates.
For ages 8 and above.
jenny_hedberg's review against another edition
2.0
Black Beauty handlar om en häst vid samma namn. I boken följer vi honom genom hans liv och tankegångar. Han börjar sitt liv som en lycklig häst med en bra ägare som bryr sig om honom och hur han sköts. Vi får sedan följa honom när han kommer till både sämre ägare och till ägare minst lika bra. Temat hästskötsel är huvudämnet genom hela boken och det märks att författaren var något upprörd när hon skrev boken. Även om den tar upp viktiga frågor känns frågorna något daterade nu. Jag kan tänka mig att boken var ett ämne för mycket diskussion när den skrevs men nu är den mer av en vacker och stundtals hemsk historia.
Jag blev faktiskt riktigt förvånad när boken visade sig vara skriven ur en hästs perspektiv. Jag hade trott att berättelsen skulle vara skriven ur en människas perspektiv. Nu när jag läst boken måste jag säga att jag tror att den är bäst som den är, berättad av en häst. Även om hästen är en häst med väldigt mänskliga tankar tycker jag att det finns en enkelhet och naivitet i berättandet som ger boken en viss charm.
Även om jag hade förväntat mig lite mer av boken (Jag har hört att det ska vara en hemsk historia och så hemsk är den inte. Inte tillräckligt hemsk för att få kallas det.) tycker jag att den var bra.
Jag blev faktiskt riktigt förvånad när boken visade sig vara skriven ur en hästs perspektiv. Jag hade trott att berättelsen skulle vara skriven ur en människas perspektiv. Nu när jag läst boken måste jag säga att jag tror att den är bäst som den är, berättad av en häst. Även om hästen är en häst med väldigt mänskliga tankar tycker jag att det finns en enkelhet och naivitet i berättandet som ger boken en viss charm.
Även om jag hade förväntat mig lite mer av boken (Jag har hört att det ska vara en hemsk historia och så hemsk är den inte. Inte tillräckligt hemsk för att få kallas det.) tycker jag att den var bra.
eden_natasha's review against another edition
Could find it on good reads and was almost in tears listening to chapter 2
vaish7_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
elizatheearthling's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
_bydbach_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
blakelyschmidt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A great book if it’s what you’re looking for! Sometimes it was kind of hard to follow, but mainly gave insight to how animals were treated back then.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
People hurt animals many times throughout this book.bargainsleuth's review against another edition
5.0
My love of horses started with this book; we had the Junior Deluxe Edition growing up. Loved the 1994 movie version. Revisiting the book via Audible. I realized that this book showed me how humans could be awful, but how there were good ones out there, too.
helen_88's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
roriora's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0