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BLACK BEAUTY – Danny Elfman
THROWBACK THIRTY
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
Black Beauty is one of the most beloved works of children’s literature in the English language. Written by Anna Sewell and published in 1877, it tells the life story of the eponymous horse, beginning with his early days in the loving home of Farmer Grey, and then on through a series of subsequent owners, including the kind and gentle Squire Gordon of Birtwick Hall, and the cruel and neglectful Mr. York of Earlshall Park. After suffering a severe injury while working as a cab horse in London, he is rescued by Joe Green, a former employee of Squire Gordon, who eventually provides him with a peaceful and comfortable retirement. The novel is narrated in the first person by Black Beauty himself, providing a unique perspective on the life and experiences of a horse in Victorian England, and who juxtaposes his own life with those of others around him, some of whom suffer much worse fates. Most importantly Sewell addresses the then-unfashionable topic of animal welfare, and its success and popularity played a crucial role in shaping public attitudes towards animals and contributed to the development of modern animal rights movements. Read more…
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