Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
49 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 30 ratingsThis unique tale is narrated by a lovely, gentle horse named Black Beauty and has remained a children's classic since it was first published in 1877. It earned eternal name and fame for its author Anna Sewell, an invalid who died within a few months of publication. According to current estimates, it has sold more than fifty million copies world wide, been translated into many languages and delighted generations of children.
The original title page reads: Black Beauty: Translated from the original Equine by Anna Sewell and this gives the reader an instant glimpse into what the book will be about. As an autobiography written by a horse and told from his point of view, it was indeed an original and unique concept for the time. Strangely enough, Anna Sewell never intended the book to be exclusively read by children. She meant it to be a manual for those who worked with horses so that they would develop more compassion and kindness when dealing with these mute beasts. While it apparently talks about animals, the book is a great source of education for human beings too and teaches them how to treat each other with respect, dignity and kindness.
The famous opening lines, “The first place I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow....” set the tone for the rest of the book. It traces the journey of the beautiful and noble horse, born in privileged circumstances whose life takes a turn for the tragic when her wealthy owner falls on hard times. Sold into a fashionable household, Beauty is ill-treated and uncared for till his health is finally broken. He is sold to a London cabbie and has to earn his keep pulling heavy carriages in all kinds of weather.
The treatment of animals, their welfare and the conditions in which they're kept, the often inhuman and cruel attitude of people and animal rights are some of the topics touched upon. It is a book that can be read on several levels. For child readers, it is a delightful tale told by an animal. Adults would recognize the essential humanitarian appeal made by the author. In fact, such was the impact of the book that it led to several landmark legislations regarding animal welfare in Britain and America.
Filled with memorable characters, vivid descriptions and poignant scenes, Black Beauty is indeed a fabulous book to settle in with for a pleasant read.
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Episodes
03 – My Breaking In
December 31, 2023 00:00 - 8 minutes - 3.81 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
08 – Ginger’s Story Continued
December 26, 2023 00:00 - 6 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
10 – A Talk in the Orchard
December 24, 2023 00:00 - 11 minutes - 4.77 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
11 – Plain Speaking
December 23, 2023 00:00 - 6 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
13 – The Devil’s Trade Mark
December 21, 2023 00:00 - 5 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
15 – The Old Ostler
December 19, 2023 00:00 - 5 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
17 – John Manly’s Talk
December 17, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
18 – Going for the Doctor
December 16, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
19 – Only Ignorance
December 15, 2023 00:00 - 4 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
23 – A Strike for Liberty
December 11, 2023 00:00 - 6 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
24 – The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse
December 10, 2023 00:00 - 11 minutes - 4.77 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
27 – Ruined and Going Downhill
December 07, 2023 00:00 - 5 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
28 – A Job Horse and His Drivers
December 06, 2023 00:00 - 6 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
33 – A London Cab Horse
December 01, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
34 – An Old War Horse
November 30, 2023 00:00 - 10 minutes - 3.81 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
36 – The Sunday Cab
November 28, 2023 00:00 - 8 minutes - 3.81 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
37 – The Golden Rule
November 27, 2023 00:00 - 6 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
38 – Dolly and a Real Gentleman
November 26, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
43 – A Friend in Need
November 21, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
44 – Old Captain and His Successor
November 20, 2023 00:00 - 8 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
45 – Jerry’s New Year
November 19, 2023 00:00 - 10 minutes - 4.77 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
46 – Jakes and the Lady
November 18, 2023 00:00 - 6 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
48 – Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie
November 16, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com