%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
This is a collection of all the book reviews I’ve written/will write |
 For all the book Reviews I will write
|
A Review of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Black Beauty is not just a story about a horse. It is a powerful lesson in kindness, told from a perspective no one had seriously considered before: the animal’s own. Written in 1877 by Anna Sewell, it became one of the best-selling books of all time. Its simple, clear English and emotional depth have touched readers for nearly 150 years. More than a children’s classic, it is a groundbreaking novel that changed how many people think about animals. The Story in Simple Terms The book is the “autobiography” of a beautiful, well-bred black horse with a white star on his forehead. We follow his life from his happy early days on an English farm, through many different owners—some kind, some cruel—and finally to a peaceful retirement. The story is told in a series of episodes, like memories, where Beauty describes his experiences and the people he meets. His first home is loving. His mother teaches him the simple rule: “Do your best with a good spirit.” His owner, Farmer Grey, is gentle. This perfect start makes the hardships he later faces even more painful. As a young horse, Beauty is sold to Squire Gordon at Birtwick Park. This is the happiest time of his life. He has a good stable, a kind groom named John Manly, and makes friends with other horses like the spirited Ginger and the steady Merrylegs. Here, Beauty learns about trust and partnership. But this happiness does not last. Due to his owner’s ill health, Beauty is sold, and his life takes a difficult turn. He then experiences the wide range of human nature. He has a good owner in London who uses him as a cab horse, but the work is hard. He later suffers under bad owners: a lazy businessman who does not take care of him, and a cruel cab driver who overworks him and uses painful equipment. Beauty’s health breaks down, and he becomes a worn-out, sick horse, sold for little money. Just when things seem hopeless, Beauty is bought by a kind farmer and his grandson, who nurse him back to health. In a wonderful twist of fate, he is finally sold to some gentle ladies, and it turns out one of their old grooms is none other than Joe Green, the young boy from Birtwick Park who once made a mistake that made Beauty sick. Joe recognizes him, and Beauty spends his final years in comfort and love, his difficult journey finally over. Themes and Lessons: More Than a Horse Story The genius of the book is that Anna Sewell never preaches or shouts. She lets the horse tell the truth. Through Beauty’s eyes, we learn powerful lessons: Kindness and Cruelty: This is the main theme. Sewell shows that cruelty is often not about evil people, but about ignorance, laziness, and fashion. The painful “bearing rein,” which forces a horse’s head up high for looks, is shown as a torture device that hurts the horse’s neck and lungs. Beauty explains how heavy, ill-fitting saddles cause sores, and how yelling and whipping only cause fear, not obedience. The book argues that kindness is practical; a well-treated, happy horse will work better and live longer. Empathy: By making us see the world through Beauty’s thoughts and feelings, Sewell creates deep empathy. We feel his panic when he’s overworked, his confusion when he’s punished for something he doesn’t understand, his loyalty to a good rider, and his fear of the unknown. The book asks the reader: “How would you feel if this were you?” The Power of Story: The stories of other horses, especially Ginger, are heartbreaking. Ginger, who was mistreated as a young horse, becomes angry and defensive. Her tragic story shows that an animal’s bad behavior is usually the result of human cruelty. Her fate is one of the saddest parts of the book and leaves a lasting impression about the consequences of abuse. Social Commentary: The book is a window into Victorian England. It shows the hard life of cab drivers, who were paid little and had to work long hours even when sick, which then hurt their horses. It shows the vanity of the rich, the carelessness of the ignorant, and the quiet goodness of responsible people. It was a strong argument for animal welfare at a time when such ideas were just starting to grow. Why the Writing Style Works Anna Sewell wrote the book in “easy English” on purpose. She wanted it to be read by everyone, including stable boys and grooms—the people who worked directly with horses. The language is clear, direct, and honest, just like Beauty’s character. This simplicity makes the emotions stronger. When Beauty says, “It was all force, no kindness,” or describes his fear as his legs tremble, the meaning is powerful because it is so plain. The first-person narrative is what makes the book so special. Phrases like “we horses” or “I must tell you about my stable” make the reader a friend to whom Beauty is telling his secrets. We are on his side completely. A Book That Changed the World Black Beauty’s impact cannot be overstated. It was published just a few months before Anna Sewell’s death, but she lived to see its first success. The book shocked the public and became a tool for animal rights campaigners. It is widely believed that the novel helped change people’s attitudes, leading to the banning of the cruel bearing rein and better laws for the treatment of horses and other animals. It started a whole new genre of stories told from an animal’s point of view. Is It Still Relevant Today? Absolutely. While we may see fewer horse-drawn carriages, the core messages of Black Beauty are timeless. It teaches responsibility toward anyone (or any animal) in our care. It asks us to consider the perspective of those who cannot speak for themselves. It stands against fashion or tradition that causes suffering. It shows that every creature deserves dignity. In a modern world, we can apply its lessons to our treatment of pets, wildlife, farm animals, and even to how we treat each other. The call for empathy is always needed. Conclusion: A Gentle Giant of Literature Black Beauty is a gentle book with a strong heart. It is sometimes sad, often moving, and finally hopeful. It does not have a complicated plot or fancy words, but its emotional power is immense. It reminds us that every living being has a story, feels pain and joy, and deserves kindness. Anna Sewell wrote one book, and that one book made the world a little kinder. It is a story of survival, a plea for compassion, and a friend to generations of readers. In easy English, it carries a message that is deep and important: “Treat all living things as you would like to be treated.” As simple as that. As beautiful as that.  |
A Review of Nicholas Sparks’ “The Return” Nicholas Sparks is famous for writing emotional love stories. His book, The Return, is another story like this. But this time, the book focuses more on coming home and healing from past pain. It is a calm, sweet story about starting over. The main character is Trevor Benson. He is a doctor who worked for the Navy. After getting hurt in Afghanistan, he must leave his job. He has a hurt hand and bad memories that give him nightmares. He goes to a small town in North Carolina called New Bern. He is there to deal with his grandfather’s old house, which he has just inherited. Trevor is lost and does not know what to do next. He is a man used to fixing other people, but now he needs to fix himself. The town of New Bern is very important to the story. It is a quiet, slow place by the water. This is very different from Trevor’s busy, stressful life as a doctor. He gets his grandfather’s old cabin and his bee hives. Taking care of the bees becomes a peaceful job for him. The slow life in the town helps Trevor slow down his own thoughts and begin to heal. In the town, Trevor meets two people who change his life. The first is Natalie. She is a police officer in the town. She is kind and patient. She and Trevor become close slowly and carefully. Their love story is gentle. She helps Trevor feel safe and shows him that a new future is possible. The second person is a teenage girl named Callie. Trevor finds her living in a small shed on his property. She is very quiet and seems scared. Trevor wants to help her. As he tries to understand her secrets and protect her, he starts to forget about his own problems for a while. Helping Callie gives him a new purpose. In helping her, he actually helps himself heal. This is the most interesting part of the book. The writing in the book is simple and easy to read. The descriptions of the town and the nature are pretty and peaceful. However, the story is not very surprising. If you have read other books like this, you might guess what will happen. The side characters are not very deep—they are just nice people in a small town. The story moves slowly, like a calm river. It is not a book with lots of action or big twists. The best part of the book is how it talks about pain and getting better. Trevor’s bad dreams and fear are shown realistically. The book tells us that getting better is hard work. It does not happen all at once. Trevor goes to a therapist, which is good to see. He also finds healing in his new work with the bees, in the quiet town, and in his new friendships. Love is part of his healing, but it is not a magic fix. This makes the story feel more real and respectful. In the end, The Return is exactly what you expect from a Nicholas Sparks book. It is a kind, romantic story about good people healing from their pain. It is set in a beautiful place. It does not try to be a new or different kind of story. It is a comfortable, familiar read. If you want a book that is exciting or very surprising, this might not be for you. But if you want a book that feels like a warm, comforting blanket—a story about hope, second chances, and gentle love—then you will probably enjoy The Return. It is a simple reminder that sometimes, going back to a quiet place and being kind to others can help you find your way again. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
Puzzle Hub
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
