Black Beauty

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

271

Title

Black Beauty

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A timeless tale of resilience and compassion, 'Black Beauty' follows the life of a noble horse through various owners, exploring themes of kindness, cruelty, and the enduring bond between humans and animals.

Summary up to 500 words

Narrated by the horse himself, *Black Beauty* by Anna Sewell is a poignant autobiography detailing a life defined by the stark contrast between cruelty and compassion. Born into a loving home in a meadow, Beauty is raised by his wise mother, Duchess, and a kind master who treats him with the gentleness due a child. However, his early innocence is shattered when a drunken driver, Reuben Smith, causes a fatal accident. Smith's intoxication leads to a broken shoe and a reckless gallop over sharp stones, causing Beauty to fall and break both knees. Smith is killed instantly, leaving Beauty to suffer alone until rescue. Though the inquest clears him of blame, the injury marks the end of his comfortable life. Recovering slowly, Beauty is sold to a livery stable where he endures the harsh realities of being a "job horse." He is subjected to ignorant, abusive drivers, overwork, and neglect, witnessing the decline of other horses like Ginger. His physical condition deteriorates, and he is eventually deemed unfit for service. At a public sale, he is purchased by Farmer Thoroughgood and his grandson, Willie. Under their care, Beauty receives rest, nutritious food, and tender affection, allowing his strength to return. Willie's kindness reignites Beauty's spirit, and he regains his health and dignity. Finally, Beauty is offered to the Blomefield sisters. Despite initial hesitation from one sister regarding his broken knees, the family accepts him after a trial period. Beauty is reunited with Joe Green, a groom who once nearly killed him, and finds a permanent home filled with peace. The narrative serves as a powerful plea for the humane treatment of animals, arguing that ignorance and greed cause suffering while empathy and responsible stewardship offer healing. Through Beauty's eyes, the story illustrates that a horse's character is defined not by his appearance or scars, but by how he is treated, concluding with the assurance that he has finally found a home where he will live out his days in safety and love.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/271.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg271.epub

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Downloaded at

2026-06-30 22:19 UTC

Categories

• History
• Fiction
• Animals