Title: The Secret Garden
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Genre: Classics, Children, Fiction
First published: 1910
Finished reading: February 22nd 2015
Pages: 358
“At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done–then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.”
The Secret Garden is one of those books I’ve been wanting to read for ages, but never made it to the top of my TBR pile. The TBR Pile Challenge made me finally pick up a copy of this classic written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and I’m glad I did. It’s an endearing story about two lonely and spoiled children who slowly discover how much better life can be if they decide to explore the gardens. Dickon is an adorable character with his love for animals and even though I had some difficulties understanding the Yorkshire accent at some points, I still enjoyed reading it. A great story for children that will hopefully inspire them to explore the world outside!
Mary Lennox grew up in India to be a lonely, ugly and spoiled child with a temper so bad not even her parents wants to see her. An outbreak of cholera leaves her an orphan, and she is sent to her uncle’s house on the Yorkshire Moors. Slowly Mary comes to understand Yorkshire is very much different from India, and she has to start doing things on her own. She starts exploring the house and the gardens, but both are full of secrets… Her uncle keeps himself locked up after his wife died, and a lot of the nearly one hundred rooms in the mansion are locked up as well. And at night she sometimes hears the sound of another child crying… Who is making that sound? And why is one of the gardens locked?
The Secret Garden is an interesting novel where we see the different characters slowly change and behave like better children. I enjoyed the natural element in the story where the flowers and plants in the secret garden are helping them grow stronger as well. Definitely recommended for both young and old, and who knows, it might even stimulate children to play outside more…
Glad to hear you enjoyed The Secret Garden! That book has been on my mind recently, and I’m not sure why. I read it years ago – in other words, not recently. Maybe something’s telling me I should re-read it…
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It’s definitely a great book to revisit; it’s an endearing story that is both easy to read and has an interesting message…
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I’m reading this now! I think I needed to get my brain away from the winter.
I love how Mary responds to Collin’s tantrums. It’s always really satisfying to see a spoiled character get put in their place! 🙂
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Yes, that’s true! The best part is that Mary also realizes she used to behave the same way, and is all the more convincing when she puts Collin in his place… I’m glad to hear you are enjoying this classic as well!
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