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BLACK BEAUTY by Anna Sewell: Adapted for Modern Readers

Anna Sewell wrote “Black Beauty” more than 140 years ago. It was the first novel to be written from the animal’s point of view. By letting Black Beauty tell his own story, the novel highlights the cruel treatment of animals, and suggests practical ways for people to manage horses more thoughtfully. For most of her life (following an accident at age 14) the author experienced difficulty standing and walking independently. Riding in horse-drawn carriages allowed her to experience movement and mobility. Anna Sewell appreciated the contribution of animals to human life. While “Black Beauty” is popular as a children’s book, adult readers will recognize the author’s commitment to encouraging the kind treatment of both animals and people. The author died five months after “Black Beauty” was first published in 1877. She would have been pleased to know that her book affected the real treatment of horses (“check-reins” became unpopular after her story was published) as well as becoming a world-wide best-seller. This line-by-line adaptation preserves the spirit of the original story in language that is transparent for modern readers.Read more

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