Black Beauty (Wordsworth Collector's Editions)

This book did for horses what Charles Dickens managed for workhouses, boarding schools and several other of the less laudable Victorian institutions. Like Dickens, it has survived the test of time and remains on most “Children's Classic” lists. Although there are plenty of horsy adventures for the hero, Sewell manages to avoid almost all of the traps of anthropomorphism and sickening sentimentality that infest most kids' books that touch upon matters equine. This book should however come with a warning: it can be quite brutal, as was the Victorian's treatment of working horses and, when I first read it as a child of six I found it harrowing and desperately upsetting (although it does have a reasonably happy ending). At 44, I still can't read it without a tear and a lumpy throat so this is probably not one for the nursery bookshelf; however, it remains on my list of essential reading for children. My eight-year-old son is studying Victorian history as his school project and has put down Harry Potter in favour of this; trying to prevent my six-year-old, horse-mad daughter from picking it up may prove problematical.

Great story

The description on the website says 'This masterfully illustrated classic'. There are no illustrations. There are no page numbers, and it looks as though it was printed on a home computer. On the back it says 'Printed in Great Britain by Amazon'. Waste of money.

This is a fabulous and very moving literary classic. It's amazing how much of the story I remembered as I last read this when a young girl about fifty years ago. The prose is clear and sharp, and the characters - both horses and people - are excellently portrayed. It's fascinating to see the society of the time viewed through the eyes of an outsider, and in many ways nothing has truly changed now: people can still be kind or deeply cruel, and the poor are trapped by the system they must live in. This is - as it has always been - an immensely powerful book and I highly recommend it.

i read this as a child, but didn't really appreciate it much. And usually i'm not one for the classics, since i tend to find them rather overrated. However, when i reread Black Beauty, i was so impressed. Sewell brilliantly tells the story from the point of view of Black Beauty himself, and his life in various stages, and all the things he learns about humans and other horses. He goes from loving, gentle owners, to some who mistreat him near to the point of death. The author does an amazing job of conveying their distaste with those who mistreat animals, without being too preachy. What i find so sad is that so many of the issues raised in this book are things that are still issues today, animal cruelty, bad use of animals for fashion, overworking etc. It's sad that in the many years since this was written, things may have changed, but not improved. definitely worth a read for adults, as it really hammers home some heartbreaking points, but is still a beautiful story.

This book is about a horse’s life, a horse that tries to understand why people do the things they do. It explains by getting in a horse’s mind. It shows how horses feel, being ridden hard, being broken in and the things that people do to them. This story sets place in England, long ago when they still used horses as transport. Black Beauty’s mother tells him at the beginning of the story, that he must be gentle, and throughout the story he also learns many important lessons, such as you must respect others and never bail out of work.

Stunning story read years ago as a horse loving child now bought for my horse mad granddaughter who is currently loving it.3 generations later it’s still a horse lover’s classic

Lovely book but she’d already read it 🥴

This is a well-written classic that I highly recommend, especially to animal lovers. I was disappointed, however, that the design on the cover is not sculpt-embossed as advertised, but just printed flat, as in a regular book. Nevertheless, this edition is still a welcome addition to my collection.

"Black Beauty", ou Beleza Negra, foi o primeiro livro de literatura que colocou em perspectiva os direitos dos animais. Neste livro, é narrada a trajetória de Beleza Negra, desde a separação de sua mãe, quando era apenas um potro, até o encontro de seu lar e família definitivos. São narrados os abusos que os cavalos sofriam na época. E, por conta da narrativa em primeira pessoa, sob o ponto de vista de Beleza Negra, os abusos são ainda mais perceptíveis e intensos. Apesar do sofrimento, há um final feliz e muito bonito. É uma ótima história para as crianças e, também, para os adultos que gostam dos animais. Ademais, a edição contém várias ilustrações em preto e branco e algumas coloridas. É costurado e encapado com tecido. Qualidade ótima da Everyman's Library, como sempre.

Terrible SMALL PRINT. Book not what you would expect . Less than 1/2 in thick … not standard size . Will never order hard cover Book on this Amazon App Will never order books published by Sanage Disappointed about this book I had ordered it for our 10 yr old Granddaughter. But will go shopping now for The Book Black Beauty .

The book was perfect and my niece loves it. The delivery was efficient and on time. Thank you!

a great book for my sister for christmas. she will love it! it looks like it is a quality product!