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elsa_panda_kitten's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-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
1.5
Sad. So very sad. And some of the time boring. Not a super good book in my opinion, still it was sorta happy and a little bit good.
elamin's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ellamareading06's review against another edition
3.0
Good book, should have read it when I was younger though. (I'm 16) Nice writing but I feel like it got repetitive in a way but it is targeted at kids so that's just my opinion.
neptunenad's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
jahnavihistory's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
runic_randomness's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
indigoblue777's review against another edition
4.0
4/20/22-- Read for 19th Cent. British Novel class. 3.5 stars.
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.