Puffin Classics: Black Beauty

The world’s most famous "autobiography" of a horse, told with heart, wisdom, and a powerful message of kindness.

Follow the journey of Black Beauty, a handsome and spirited horse with a white star on his forehead. From his early days as a carefree colt in a pleasant meadow to his difficult years working as a cab horse in the crowded, foggy streets of Victorian London, Beauty experiences both the best and worst of human nature.

Through every hardship and every kind hand, Beauty remains courageous and loyal. Anna Sewell’s classic story was originally written to promote the better treatment of animals, and it remains a moving exploration of empathy and resilience. It is a story that teaches us that "there is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man and beast, it is all a sham."

Like all books in the series, this edition includes The Puffin Classics Code, featuring a "Who’s Who" of the horses and owners in the story, a glossary of Victorian carriage terms, and fascinating historical facts about how horses lived and worked in the 19th century.