Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
2 Rating(s)
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Black Beauty

Author: Anna Sewell

Narrator: John Rayburn

Unabridged: 6 hr 18 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/10/2023

Categories: Fiction, Classic


Synopsis

Written nearly a century and a half ago, this book was the first major animal story in children’s literature, although the author had intended it for adults.Anna Sewell had been crippled at a young age but could still drive a horse-drawn carriage. She often drove her father to the station to go to work and later picked him up to bring him home. During those times, she saw there was often inhumane treatment of horses and was inspired to write about it in order, as she said, “To induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses.” She spent the last seven years of her life writing her only novel, Black Beauty, told in first-person narration by Black Beauty himself.As we all know, horses can’t write or tell their life story. Therefore, as narrator, John Rayburn says he speaks as the horse, telling the story of the horse as you are invited to listen to the tale of a courageous animal.And don’t miss Rayburn’s historic reenactment of four World Series Classics … 1945 Cubs-Tigers, 1946 Cardinals-Red Sox, and 1956 Yankees-Brooklyn Dodgers.

About Anna Sewell

Anna Sewell (1820–1878) was born in England. A knee injury at fourteen left her disabled, but she rode and drove horses very well. She began learning about horses early in life, spending many hours driving her father to and from the station from which he commuted to work. Her dependence on horse-drawn transportation fostered her respect of horses. She wrote her one book, Black Beauty, in her fifties, and it was published in 1877 just five months before she died. Although it is now considered a children’s classic, she originally wrote it for those who worked with horses. She said “a special aim [was] to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses.” The book has had a tremendous impact in creating a new wave of humane thinking towards animals. 

About John Rayburn

John Rayburn (1927–2024) was a veteran of over sixty years in broadcasting. He served as a news/sports anchor and show host, and his TV newscast achieved the largest share of audience figures of any major-market TV newscast in the nation. John was a member of the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. He was well suited to bring fascinating stories to life concerning the people, places, and things that combine to present lively observations of our day-to-day lives.


Reviews

Goodreads review by James on January 06, 2019

Review Black Beauty by Anna Sewell is a beautiful story meant for older children or very young adults. It was written in the 19th century by a woman who passed away shortly after its publication. I enjoyed the story and have given it a 3 of 5 stars, which is still very good in my book. A f......more

Goodreads review by Meghhnaa on September 07, 2022

My first read on anthropomorphism!!Having read novels using literary devices as various personifications but none on anthropomorphism, Black Beauty was a cathartic reading journey for me. Anna Sewell, deep-rooted love for horses and deep-rooted dejection against ill-treatment towards animals, douse......more

Goodreads review by Reading_ on October 23, 2024

This book happens to be one of my most favourite 2021 reads. It's packed with emotions and beautiful writing. The characters are memorable and, most of all, it taught me so many things about horses. I never thought I would be this invested when it comes to stories about horses! What I came across throu......more

Goodreads review by Robin on June 02, 2017

This was one of my very first 'horse' books. I read it when I was nine or ten, and it left a deep impression on me. Told from the viewpoint of the horse, it starts with Beauty's gentle upbringing and careful training. Well cared for and well mannered, Beauty is a valued animal with a good life at fi......more

Goodreads review by Melody on February 10, 2008

I revisited this classic horse story not knowing what to expect, really. I have found that I can't really trust my childhood memories. In this case, however, the years made no difference. The odd thing I noticed while reading this book was how completely I'd internalized the messages regarding anima......more