Beautiful Joe: An AutoBiography of a Dog
Beautiful Joe: An AutoBiography of a Dog
Book Brief
Beta244
Novel • Fiction
Canada • 1890s
2007
YA
8-12 years
Super Short Summary
Beautiful Joe: An Autobiography of a Dog by Marshall Saunders is a novel depicting the life of Joe, a dog who overcomes abuse and finds love in a nurturing family. The story is narrated from Joe's perspective, highlighting themes of animal welfare and compassion.
Heartwarming
Inspirational
Emotional
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
3,109 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Beautiful Joe: An Autobiography of a Dog by Marshall Saunders is praised for its heartfelt storytelling and promotion of animal welfare. Readers appreciate its emotional depth and the compelling narrative from a dog's perspective. However, some find its tone overly sentimental and the writing style dated. Overall, it's considered a classic in advocating for kindness to animals.
Who Should Read Beautiful Joe: An AutoBiography of a Dog?
Readers who enjoy stories about animal-human relationships and empathy, like Black Beauty by Anna Sewell or Lassie Come-Home by Eric Knight, will appreciate Beautiful Joe: An Autobiography of a Dog. This classic appeals to those who value animal welfare and heartwarming tales of resilience.
3,109 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Beautiful Joe was inspired by a real dog from Meaford, Ontario, named Beautiful Joe, whose story sparked a movement against animal cruelty, leading to the establishment of the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society.
The book gained immediate popularity upon its release in 1893, selling over a million copies in just a few years, making it one of the best-selling novels of its time.
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In 1934, Beautiful Joe became the first Canadian book to sell over one million copies worldwide, highlighting its international impact and influence on the animal welfare movement.
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244
Novel • Fiction
Canada • 1890s
2007
YA
8-12 years
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