Scan barcode
A review by zoethewyrm
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is a beautifully aged classic. Written in the mid-late 1800’s, it was one of the first of its kind as a book from the perspective of an animal, and was a great help in creating the animal welfare movement. This animal welfare message is clearly visible and repeated throughout the entire book, but in such a way that it’s never repetitive or annoying.
It’s often talks about standing up for the oppressed, which in the book is animals and horses, but still rings very true to today’s world- full of racial and economic inequality, police brutality, etc. To quote the book, “Do you know why this world is as bad as it is? ... it is because people think only about their own business, and won’t trouble themselves to stand up for the oppressed, nor bring the wrongdoer to light. ... if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt.”
It’s often talks about standing up for the oppressed, which in the book is animals and horses, but still rings very true to today’s world- full of racial and economic inequality, police brutality, etc. To quote the book, “Do you know why this world is as bad as it is? ... it is because people think only about their own business, and won’t trouble themselves to stand up for the oppressed, nor bring the wrongdoer to light. ... if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Alcoholism and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and War