guitarpotato 's review for:

Black Beauty: Puffin Clothbound Classics by Anna Sewell

4.0

---

“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.