Black Beauty

Exploring Black Beauty with Anne Brooke and Mari Durward-Akhurst: A Journey into Anna Sewell’s Legacy

In our latest podcast episode, we delve into the enduring legacy of Black Beauty, Anna Sewell’s iconic novel that has touched hearts for generations. Joining us for this fascinating discussion are Anne Brooke, fabulous author, and Mari Durward-Akhurst, an inspirational Paralympian dressage athlete. Together, we consider the novel’s timeless themes, its impact on equestrian culture, and the profound empathy it fosters for animals and humans alike.

A central thread of our conversation is Celia Brayfield’s biography Writing Black Beauty, a compelling exploration of Anna Sewell’s life and the making of her masterpiece. Sewell, a little known writer in her time, channelled her own struggles with disability and her deep bond with horses into a novel that championed animal welfare and advocated for kindness. Her book has never gone out of publication and went on to be one of the best-selling novels of all time. Brayfield’s work unveils the rich historical and personal context behind Black Beauty, bringing Sewell’s world vividly to life. A recommended read from us.

Anne Brooke shares her literary insights on Sewell’s narrative technique and the groundbreaking way Black Beauty gives voice to its titular character. The novel’s first-person perspective from the horse’s point of view was revolutionary, transforming how readers perceive animal intelligence and emotion. Anne offers a contemporary lens on why the story continues to resonate today, over a century after its publication.

Mari Durward-Akhurst brings a unique perspective, connecting her own experiences as a Paralympian in the equestrian world to the novel’s themes of resilience and mutual respect between humans and horses. Her reflections on how Black Beauty has inspired generations of riders and animal advocates enrich the discussion, making it deeply personal and powerful.

To complement the episode, we also take a trip to the London International Horse Show, immersing ourselves in a vibrant celebration of equestrianism. The event highlights the continuing importance of the human-horse connection—a bond so beautifully depicted in Black Beauty.

This episode is more than a tribute to a beloved novel; it’s a journey into the life of a remarkable author, the enduring relevance of her work, and the ways horses inspire us today. Whether you’re a literary enthusiast, an equestrian lover, or simply someone who cherishes stories of compassion, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.