Beautiful Joe

Marshall Saunders

ISBN 10: 1420944584 / ISBN 13: 9781420944587

Published by Digireads.com, 2012

About this Item

Published in 1893, Beautiful Joe was the first Canadian book to sell a million copies and was extremely popular in America, too (selling almost a million copies by 1900). A work of fiction told from the dog's point of view, it is based upon the true story of an abused dog (in the tradition of 1877's Black Beauty). It reflects many of the unfortunate realities of society in those days, but it had an incredible impact upon the Western world's ideas about humane treatment of animals. Interestingly, it is still published with the author listed as Marshall Saunders. In fact, it was written by Margaret Marshall Saunders, and published using her middle name since it was felt that no one would want to buy a book written by a woman. (She was in fact the first woman to write a book which sold a million copies ) Every animal shelter and rescue organization in America and Canada owes a debt to Beautiful Joe.

Seller Inventory # 00103724964

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Beautiful Joe
• Publisher: Digireads.com
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1420944584
• ISBN 13: 9781420944587
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

Marshall Saunders "Beautiful Joe" (1893) is a remarkable classic exploring issues of animal cruelty told from the point of view of one dog, Joe. This work was an instant success upon its release in Canada, becoming the first book to sell over a million copies in that country. Written as a kind of dog's autobiography, the work was innovative in its narrative technique. Often compared to Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty", the novel tracks the true story of a terrier in Maine named Joe. As Joe tells his story, the reader quickly meets his cruel owner Jenkins. Jenkins mistreatment grows more intense over time. The reader develops a deep sympathy for Joe and his canine counterparts on account of its narrative point of view. Joe's journey through abuse towards being rescued is a harrowing account not to be missed by the animal lover.

About the Author

MARGARET MARSHALL SAUNDERS was descended on both sides of her family from New England Planters who had immigrated to Nova Scotia in the 1760s. A native of Halifax, she campaigned for humane treatment of animals, and integrated into her famous novel Beautiful Joe her criticism of the careless exploitation of natural resources, as well as ideas on education and the upbringing of children.

DR. GWENDOLYN DAVIES is Professor and Dean Emerita of English at the School of Graduate Studies at the University of New Brunswick. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.