The author of Black Beauty wrote the first major animal story in children’s literature. The author wrote the book to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses. In today’s post, I will tell you who is the author of the novel Black Beauty.
Who Is The Author Of Black Beauty?
The author of Black Beauty is Anna Sewell who was a famous English novelist. Anna was concerned about the humane treatment of horses began very early in life. This novel was considered one of the top ten best-selling novels for children.
You can keep on reading to know more about the author of Black Beauty Anna Sewell.
About The Author Of Black Beauty
Anna Sewell author of Black Beauty was born in Norfolk, England to Isaac Philip Sewell and Mary Wright Sewell. Her father was a successful author of children’s books. The couple also had one son named Philip. Both Anna and Philip were largely educated at home by their mother. They were not able to attend school due to a lack of money.
Anna spent many hours driving her father to and from the station for work. She started writing in her youth when she helped her mother to edit works. Her mother, Mary was a deeply religious and popular author of juvenile best-sellers.
The author of Black Beauty (1877) was twelve when the whole family moved to Stoke Newington. Anna attended school for the first time over here! At fourteen, she slipped and severely injured her ankles. Since then, she had difficulty walking and couldn’t stand or walk for a longer time. For traveling, she often used horse-drawn carriages.
Anna wrote the novel Black Beauty in the period between 1871 and 1877. During this time, Anna’s health was declining and was often bedridden. Writing a novel was very challenging for her. However, she dictated the text to her mother and later started writing on slips of paper. Anna originally wrote this book for those who worked with horses.
In various aspects, the book can be read as a guide to horse husbandry, stable management, and humane training practices for colts. It has had an effect on reducing cruelty to horses. For instance, the use of bearing reins was one of the practices highlighted in this novel. Bearing reins are very painful for horses.
Anna sold this novel to Norwich publisher Jarrolds in 1877 when she was 57 years old. In return, she received a single payment of $4,630. The book was later published the same year. After the publication of Black Beauty, Ann fell seriously ill. For the next few months, she was in extreme pain and completely bedridden. Unfortunately, she died at the age of 58 due to hepatitis or tuberculosis. Anna was buried at Quaker burial ground in Lamas near Buxton, Norfolk.
The Black Beauty genre became an immediate best-seller with Anna dying just five months after its publication. Over 50 million copies were sold making it one of the best-selling books of all time. Let us see the Black Beauty summary in short. This book describes the conditions of horses including the financial hardship caused to them. The book is narrated by the main character (Black Beauty). However, Black Beauty characters include Merrylegs, Miss Lavinia, Corn dealer, and Squire Gordon.
The Key To Unlock Door Of Knowledge
FAQ
Is Black Beauty Based On A True Story?
Black Beauty is not a true story. First of all, the narrator of the story is a horse, and, of course, horses can’t write or tell their life story. The book is a ‘novel,’ which by definition means that it is fictional.
Who Is The Narrator Of Black Beauty?
First Person (Central) Anna Sewell’s choice to make Black Beauty the central narrator of her story, and in fact to tell a horse’s life story at all, is what made Black Beauty so groundbreaking at the time of its release. Beauty often points out that as a horse, he can’t speak up for himself:
When Was Black Beauty Written?
An Animal Autobiography
Black Beauty was first published in 1877 and was written in the last years of Sewell’s life. Sewell, a Quaker born in Yarmouth, England, followed in the footsteps of her mother, Mary Wright Sewell, who wrote several popular books for children.
Why Was The Book Black Beauty Banned?
Representatives of the government, which institutionalised racial segregation from 1948 to the 1990s, saw the words ‘black’ and ‘beauty’ and shuddered at the thought that the book may contain inappropriate sentiments or promote black rights. They banned the novel briefly, until, presumably, someone actually read it.’
Why Is Black Beauty So Famous?
With fifty million copies sold, Black Beauty is one of the best-selling books of all time. While forthrightly teaching animal welfare, it also teaches how to treat people with kindness, sympathy, and respect. In 2003, the novel was listed at number 58 on the BBC’s survey The Big Read.
Is Black Beauty A Sad Book?
This is a great book but I think common sense media should change their rating as this is a very sad book. Now this book is beautiful but very sad. This is one of the greatest books I have read.
Is Black Beauty Book Appropriate For Kids?
For advanced readers ten and up, because it has some hard words and confusing passages. It inspires compassion in everyone, and it’s great for those who love animals, esp. horses. Black Beauty is amazing.
Conclusion
The book Black Beauty is considered to be one of the first English novels written from the perspective of a non-human animal (horse). The author of Black Beauty gave detailed observations and extensive descriptions of horses’ behavior.