It starts so sweetly, and I remember expect- immediately drew readers into the working ing it would continue like that. Approaching animals’ world, including dogs and other the reread for the article, I still felt that hope domestic creatures. I thought maybe this within myself — but as a young reader, time I could skim through, but there is no Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse skimming Black Beauty. I was sucked in on broke my heart. page one just like before. The tale of one event after another that Sewell died only months after publica- betrayed the trust of this innocent creature, tion, but already her book was a runaway in an age when horses were primary motive Why Sewell’s story’s success. No doubt, she was gratified to see The Legacy of power for human commerce and travel, the influence of this one slim novel. It led struck a chord in many hearts. Animals had resonated, however, to immediate reforms in animal welfare in feelings. By inhabiting the first person point Europe, the British Colonies worldwide and of view of the horse, from colt in a meadow is the power of its deeply the United States. It has been described as to pulling a cab in Victorian London, and a protest book and a call to action. Due to through many owners cruel and kind, to sympathetic portraits, its descriptions of financial hardships of his final home, readers empathized in a London’s taxicab owners, the license fee Black new way with horses, often seen as exten- which immediately drew was reduced so that cabbies could afford to sions of machines. Because of that empathy, care for and not overwork their horses. attitudes in many societies towards horses readers into the working Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty changed. And not only horses. Sewell aimed to Animals already existed, but got signifi- Beauty at practices like fox hunts, docking dogs’ animals’ world cant boosts in support afterBlack Beauty’s By CANDICE VETTER tails and ears, workhouses for the poor, and publication and the subsequent reviews even cruel children who pulled the wings and op-ed pieces in newspapers of the time. off flies. It has been called “the most influ- This one iconic book — the only ential anticruelty novel of all time” Warning: If you have not read Black Beauty stop book written by Anna Sewell, who and has been compared to Harriet reading this article right now — complete plot was born two hundred years ago Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin giveaways ahead. this year — broke many of the liter- in the United States because both nov- ary “rules” of the time. There had els caused outrage and set off protest was probably nine years old when been novels from an animal’s point actions that changed society. I first readBlack Beauty. I was a of view before, but this was the first Contrary to the idea that moral- major one in popular English litera- istic books are unpopular, Barnes & prairie girl with the first-hand ture. Earlier “beast fables” presented Noble states Black Beauty is an all- I animals acting like humans — much time bestseller with over 50 million experience of animal husbandry and like Disney does today. copies sold. Numerous film versions deep sympathy for the livestock Black Beauty made readers feel have been produced, there are trans- and pets on the farm (with some an animal’s pain, an animal’s fears, lations in 50 languages, and it has exceptions). A friend of mine the and sometimes, an animal’s con- never been out of print. It paved the tentment and pride. It is clear in way for a whole genre of stories like same age who grew up in urban Sewell’s writing that she was a keen My Friend Flicka and War Horse, with Montreal also read it as a child. observer of horses, perhaps partly dark adult themes, and National The effect on her was even more because of a mistreated injury that Velvet and The Incredible Journey. left her unable to walk, but able to Other authors have written sequels, traumatic than on me. drive. She notes, in many delightful as well as a stage play, an LP and the little dialogues, how to treat both true sign of an icon — a parody. animals and humans fairly. The In 2006 the first edition copy result was a revolution in animal containing Sewell’s handwritten welfare laws, and more importantly, dedication to her mother sold at in societal mores. It was no longer auction at Christie’s in London for fashionable to be cruel. This book £33,000 (about $70,000 at the time). is credited with helping end the use Although now always catego- of checkreins to keep horses’ heads rized as young reader’s fiction, it high and necks arched, and innu- was not written for children, but merable other changes to accepted was written, as the author said, “to horse husbandry. induce kindness, sympathy, and an Why Sewell’s story’s resonated, understanding treatment of horses.” however, is the power of its deeply Should children read it? Yes. c PHOTO BY STOCK ADOBE.COM/LUCKYSHOTS STOCK BY PHOTO sympathetic portraits, which Everyone should. 16 17 thing. He is that rarest of all human beings “I live in a very rural part of the U.S., in — he is incorruptible. southern Wyoming on a little ranch, and Joe Pickett Series All this, plus, Joe’s elusive friend who there have been very, very few cases in always has his back. Nate Romanowski is a our county,” said C. J. from his office. “But falconer and Special Forces guy who moves it’s been such a blessing in a way because like smoke through the trees and shoots the sometimes I think I’ve travelled too much,” g Watch for an announcement regarding an upcoming biggest handgun made. he said. “I’ve got the next Joe Pickett book television series! Woven through each novel is a central done six months ahead of time. And I’ve plot that reflects today’s concerns, rang- done tons of fly fishing and golf and just C. J. Box ing from wind turbines to endangered enjoying the summer.” Open Season (2001) The Master Falconer (2006) species. Throw in some shady politicians, For C. J. and other authors, COVID has Savage Run (2002) Force of Nature (2012) From Wyoming to the World downright scary survivalists or some folks provided an uninterrupted writing stretch that just need killing, and you’re in for a and has allowed their readers to catch up, Winterkill (2003) Breaking Point (2013) By TERRI MASON gripping read. and new ones to find his work. Trophy Hunt (2004) Stone Cold (2014) How popular are C. J.'s Pickett novels? “I don’t know how many emails I’ve ou name the writing award, this ol’ cowboy has won You ride into any outfitter camp in North received or comments on social media, Dull Knife (2005) Shots Fired (2014) it. So far, he has sold over 10 million books, and each America, and you’ll find his books in a saying ‘During this pandemic, I finally got Out of Range (2005) Endangered (2015) packbox. His novels, long dog-eared, line to your books and I've read all 20 of them novel sees him back on the New York Times Best Sellers’ ranch house shelves and are in the glove now,’” he said. “I get this every single day. In Plain Sight (2006) Off the Grid (2016) Y box of most rodeo trucks. With his Joe So I think the reader has benefitted, in a Free Fire (2007) Vicious Circle (2017) list. His fans span around the world, and his engaging style has Pickett series, C. J. has done for adults what weird way.” Blood Trail (2008) The Disappeared (2018) made him wealthy. And what did he do with all that money? He J. K. Rowling did for children — he has The appeal of the characters in the bought a ranch. You gotta love this guy. inspired a new generation of bibliophiles, Pickett series is wide-ranging; Joe is so Below Zero (2009) Wolf Pack (2019) and they can’t put his books down. It’s not “real” — he could be your buddy. Nate Nowhere to Run (2010) Long Range (2020) Wyoming born-and-raised author C. J. C. J. has created the almost-perfect just women — his crowd at any book sign- Romanowski, Joe’s friend and ally, is the pal Box has worked hard for his success. For Western hero in Joe Pickett, his star of over ing is 51 per cent women, 49 per cent men we’d all love to have — loyal to the bone and Cold Wind (2011) Dark Sky (2021) the first few years of his writing career, 20 novels. Pickett is not your typical larger- — unheard of in publishing. dangerous to our enemies. An unusual twist he worked full-time and wrote when he than-life, unrelatable male with demons in C. J. was on his final leg of his book tour is that all of the characters age in real time. could. “Laurie and I ran an international a troubled past. Instead, Joe is a modern- when all hell broke loose, and the world While a reader can start anywhere in the tourism marketing company to encourage day Wyoming game warden who is a lousy shut down. series, like all good stories, try to start at the travel to the West,” he explained.