Writing Horses

Saturday 14 November, 11.30 – 12.30, Dulverton Town Hall

Celia Brayfield and Emily Haworth-Booth

Black Beauty was Anna Sewell’s only book, which was first published in 1877. Tragically she died just five months later, never to know the impact her writing would have on future generations. The novel was revolutionary in that it was the first anthropomorphic novel ever written – giving a horse its own voice and transforming public attitudes towards the treatment of horses in Victorian Britain. Almost 150 years later, its themes of compassion, justice and the relationship between humans and animals continue to resonate.

 

In Writing Black Beauty, acclaimed novelist and biographer Celia Brayfield uncovers the remarkable story behind this literary classic and the extraordinary woman who wrote it. She explores Sewell’s life, the circumstances that inspired her only novel, and the profound influence Black Beauty has had on animal welfare and literature alike.

Celia is joined at the Festival by Emily Haworth-Booth, whose award-winning debut novel Mare is a tender, funny and life-affirming exploration of love, loss and contemporary (non)motherhood. At its heart is the profound relationship between a woman and a horse, asking what it means to care deeply for another living being.

Together, Celia and Emily will explore why horses have inspired writers for generations and how literature can deepen our understanding of the animals with whom we share our lives.

Tickets £12 adults £6 children (under 17)