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The Secret Garden / A Little Princess
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First published January 1, 1911
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About the author
Frances Hodgson Burnett
1,764 books4,922 followersFrances Eliza Hodgson Burnett was a British-American novelist and playwright. She is best known for the three children's novels Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886), A Little Princess (1905), and The Secret Garden (1911).
Frances Eliza Hodgson was born in Cheetham, Manchester, England. After her father died in 1853, when Frances was 4 years old, the family fell on straitened circumstances and in 1865 emigrated to the United States, settling in New Market, Tennessee. Frances began her writing career there at age 19 to help earn money for the family, publishing stories in magazines. In 1870, her mother died. In Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1873 she married Swan M. Burnett, who became a medical doctor. Their first son Lionel was born a year later. The Burnetts lived for two years in Paris, where their second son Vivian was born, before returning to the United States to live in Washington, D.C. Burnett then began to write novels, the first of which (That Lass o' Lowrie's), was published to good reviews. Little Lord Fauntleroy was published in 1886 and made her a popular writer of children's fiction, although her romantic adult novels written in the 1890s were also popular. She wrote and helped to produce stage versions of Little Lord Fauntleroy and A Little Princess.
Beginning in the 1880s, Burnett began to travel to England frequently and in the 1890s bought a home there, where she wrote The Secret Garden. Her elder son, Lionel, died of tuberculosis in 1890, which caused a relapse of the depression she had struggled with for much of her life. She divorced Swan Burnett in 1898, married Stephen Townesend in 1900, and divorced him in 1902. A few years later she settled in Nassau County, New York, where she died in 1924 and is buried in Roslyn Cemetery.
In 1936, a memorial sculpture by Bessie Potter Vonnoh was erected in her honor in Central Park's Conservatory Garden. The statue depicts her two famous Secret Garden characters, Mary and Dickon.
Frances Eliza Hodgson was born in Cheetham, Manchester, England. After her father died in 1853, when Frances was 4 years old, the family fell on straitened circumstances and in 1865 emigrated to the United States, settling in New Market, Tennessee. Frances began her writing career there at age 19 to help earn money for the family, publishing stories in magazines. In 1870, her mother died. In Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1873 she married Swan M. Burnett, who became a medical doctor. Their first son Lionel was born a year later. The Burnetts lived for two years in Paris, where their second son Vivian was born, before returning to the United States to live in Washington, D.C. Burnett then began to write novels, the first of which (That Lass o' Lowrie's), was published to good reviews. Little Lord Fauntleroy was published in 1886 and made her a popular writer of children's fiction, although her romantic adult novels written in the 1890s were also popular. She wrote and helped to produce stage versions of Little Lord Fauntleroy and A Little Princess.
Beginning in the 1880s, Burnett began to travel to England frequently and in the 1890s bought a home there, where she wrote The Secret Garden. Her elder son, Lionel, died of tuberculosis in 1890, which caused a relapse of the depression she had struggled with for much of her life. She divorced Swan Burnett in 1898, married Stephen Townesend in 1900, and divorced him in 1902. A few years later she settled in Nassau County, New York, where she died in 1924 and is buried in Roslyn Cemetery.
In 1936, a memorial sculpture by Bessie Potter Vonnoh was erected in her honor in Central Park's Conservatory Garden. The statue depicts her two famous Secret Garden characters, Mary and Dickon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
February 6, 2017
The secret Garden is probably the most amazing and thought provoking children's book every written. Such a profound insight into the hearts and minds of the main characters Mary, Colin, Dicken etc- a little romanticised perhaps but still amazing.
The story is set in Yorkshire and it starts off with a kind of dark Gothic atmosphere with Mary stuck in this monstrous and spooky house and her only comrade of sorts is the servant girl Martha - Dicken's elder sister. The house at night is filled with all sorts of horrible tormented wailing which Mary bravely follows until she meets her bedridden and hypochondriac cousin Colin, the heir of the great manor house who is certain he is crippled, deformed and destined to die at a young age. He is in fact incredibly neglected by his father who has been mourning for a decade or so over his late wife who dies tragically in the Garden. After that he locks the Garden and closes it forever.
The company of Mary cheers the child up a bit, but it is not until he hears stories of the Secret Garden that Mary has just rediscovered that his interest in life is renewed. Eventually with the help of Martha's little brother Dicken, the Master of animals, plants and all other sorts of enchantment, the Secret Garden is brought to life again and Colin finally has something to live for other than his imaginery hump and other illnesses.
The main theme of the book the Garden itself symbolizes a kind of Paradise Lost that must be regained through the spiritual innocence, love and lifeaffirming Joy of the three children. Dicken is the Nature child in the story, a kind of Pan figure and the symbol of the pure rustic peasant child who, with his ability to charm animals and breathe life back into the soil, works miracles on first Mary who is the Keeper of the Secret Garden and then on Colin - who, as the heir of the Manor itself, is its owner.
A final miracle takes place at the end of the book which although stretching our gullibility as readers to the limit brings about the perfect resolution to the story. It is a lovely plot twist which not only reunites father and son again, but also restores the social order of things left by a ten year old tragedy and the abandonment of the Father's duties as Lord of the Manor.
This book was written towards the end of the 19th century about a time when the social order of England and societies links with Mother Nature and the pastoral idyll of the country life was viewed as sacrosanct - The author lived in a time that had not been devastated by two world wars, the Holocust, Hiroshima and the current trend of globalisation, the digital revolution and the infotainment society.
It is therefore a pretty slow paced book, filled with didactic passages and pretty morals, as well as a gushing Romantic sentimentalism. Even in the time it was written it is clear that the novel looks back to a Golden Age where the servants, villagers and their leige Lord were meant to live in a social harmony of bliss and harmony based on a set hierarchical structure ordained by God himself. It is also clear that it draws upon the old Renaissance idea of Mother Nature as being God's second book of revelation and instruction (the first book being the Bible). As such Nature is viewed in a totally non-Dawinistic sense. Instead of being Red in tooth and claw, Nature is both a guide and teacher as well as a benevolent and nurturing Mother - She is the Faery Queen of the New Eden which awakens at the touch of those like Dicken, Mary and Colin who see her with pure vision.
Dicken of course is the High Priest of this Eden, he is an archetypal Pan figure, the go-between for Mother Nature and the Fallen Adam and Eve of her world, Colin and Mary. When he connects them both back to their original link to her, the two are totally enthralled and awaken not only to the Secret Garden around them, but also the Secret Garden inside their own hearts and souls.
Colin and Mary both call this mystical awakening to Nature's Wisdom, White Magic and when he discovers its amazing healing powers, Colin vows that he will write books on the mystery of this magical force inside him and the Secret Garden. When the world learns of this Magic and Knowledge then all its problems and misery will disappear and the Paradise that existed at the morning of the world will be regained. This is a very odd idea for us in our time, but you have to remember that in those days Milton's Paradise Lost, along with Tennyson's Idylls of the King were two of the most important and influential books in the period. So the idea of regaining the Lost Paradise of Eden was not out of the question for people of the 19th century!
The film I think that was based on the book I thought was also amazingly beautiful.
There was a second book written Back to the Secret Garden, based on the first. But this book was written post WW II and the age of England's innocence along with the mystique of her Gardens was no longer there anymore was it?
Five stars for the Secret Garden - three stars for its sequel.
Review by Manfred
Heavily Rewritten 19-1-2017
Really like the whole India thing thats in it as well. Mary originally lived in India before she came to the Manor, so she brings some of the old stories and ideas from India which she learnt from her Ayah or Nurse there. Along with her meeting Dicken and finding the Garden, the stories from India help inspire her belief and Philosophy of White Magic.
The story is set in Yorkshire and it starts off with a kind of dark Gothic atmosphere with Mary stuck in this monstrous and spooky house and her only comrade of sorts is the servant girl Martha - Dicken's elder sister. The house at night is filled with all sorts of horrible tormented wailing which Mary bravely follows until she meets her bedridden and hypochondriac cousin Colin, the heir of the great manor house who is certain he is crippled, deformed and destined to die at a young age. He is in fact incredibly neglected by his father who has been mourning for a decade or so over his late wife who dies tragically in the Garden. After that he locks the Garden and closes it forever.
The company of Mary cheers the child up a bit, but it is not until he hears stories of the Secret Garden that Mary has just rediscovered that his interest in life is renewed. Eventually with the help of Martha's little brother Dicken, the Master of animals, plants and all other sorts of enchantment, the Secret Garden is brought to life again and Colin finally has something to live for other than his imaginery hump and other illnesses.
The main theme of the book the Garden itself symbolizes a kind of Paradise Lost that must be regained through the spiritual innocence, love and lifeaffirming Joy of the three children. Dicken is the Nature child in the story, a kind of Pan figure and the symbol of the pure rustic peasant child who, with his ability to charm animals and breathe life back into the soil, works miracles on first Mary who is the Keeper of the Secret Garden and then on Colin - who, as the heir of the Manor itself, is its owner.
A final miracle takes place at the end of the book which although stretching our gullibility as readers to the limit brings about the perfect resolution to the story. It is a lovely plot twist which not only reunites father and son again, but also restores the social order of things left by a ten year old tragedy and the abandonment of the Father's duties as Lord of the Manor.
This book was written towards the end of the 19th century about a time when the social order of England and societies links with Mother Nature and the pastoral idyll of the country life was viewed as sacrosanct - The author lived in a time that had not been devastated by two world wars, the Holocust, Hiroshima and the current trend of globalisation, the digital revolution and the infotainment society.
It is therefore a pretty slow paced book, filled with didactic passages and pretty morals, as well as a gushing Romantic sentimentalism. Even in the time it was written it is clear that the novel looks back to a Golden Age where the servants, villagers and their leige Lord were meant to live in a social harmony of bliss and harmony based on a set hierarchical structure ordained by God himself. It is also clear that it draws upon the old Renaissance idea of Mother Nature as being God's second book of revelation and instruction (the first book being the Bible). As such Nature is viewed in a totally non-Dawinistic sense. Instead of being Red in tooth and claw, Nature is both a guide and teacher as well as a benevolent and nurturing Mother - She is the Faery Queen of the New Eden which awakens at the touch of those like Dicken, Mary and Colin who see her with pure vision.
Dicken of course is the High Priest of this Eden, he is an archetypal Pan figure, the go-between for Mother Nature and the Fallen Adam and Eve of her world, Colin and Mary. When he connects them both back to their original link to her, the two are totally enthralled and awaken not only to the Secret Garden around them, but also the Secret Garden inside their own hearts and souls.
Colin and Mary both call this mystical awakening to Nature's Wisdom, White Magic and when he discovers its amazing healing powers, Colin vows that he will write books on the mystery of this magical force inside him and the Secret Garden. When the world learns of this Magic and Knowledge then all its problems and misery will disappear and the Paradise that existed at the morning of the world will be regained. This is a very odd idea for us in our time, but you have to remember that in those days Milton's Paradise Lost, along with Tennyson's Idylls of the King were two of the most important and influential books in the period. So the idea of regaining the Lost Paradise of Eden was not out of the question for people of the 19th century!
The film I think that was based on the book I thought was also amazingly beautiful.
There was a second book written Back to the Secret Garden, based on the first. But this book was written post WW II and the age of England's innocence along with the mystique of her Gardens was no longer there anymore was it?
Five stars for the Secret Garden - three stars for its sequel.
Review by Manfred
Heavily Rewritten 19-1-2017
Really like the whole India thing thats in it as well. Mary originally lived in India before she came to the Manor, so she brings some of the old stories and ideas from India which she learnt from her Ayah or Nurse there. Along with her meeting Dicken and finding the Garden, the stories from India help inspire her belief and Philosophy of White Magic.
August 2, 2021
"Mary had worn her contrary scowl for an hour after that, but it made her think several entirely new things." En typisk mening av den allvetande berättaren. Nu vid omläsningen tänkte jag på de inre konflikter som varje karaktär mer eller mindre motvilligt får arbeta på att övervinna. Sambandet mellan brist på fysisk aktivitet och frisk luft med psykisk ohälsa betonas också, 110 år före hjärnstark. Positivt tänkande betonas och kapitelrubriken '- Might I have a bit of earth?' säger något om trädgårdsterapi.
"And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed." Det finaste är förstås beskrivningarna av den hemliga trädgården. Sista tredjedelen tycker jag fokuserar för mycket på Colin. Han är inte mer intressant som karaktär än de andra. I bokens inledning är det också besvärligt med den koloniala synen på Indien och dess invånare, även om det hörde tiden till.
Det första av antagligen flera Secret Garden-halsband. Längtar efter att se den nya filmatiseringen.
https://www.etsy.com/se-en/listing/75...
"And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed." Det finaste är förstås beskrivningarna av den hemliga trädgården. Sista tredjedelen tycker jag fokuserar för mycket på Colin. Han är inte mer intressant som karaktär än de andra. I bokens inledning är det också besvärligt med den koloniala synen på Indien och dess invånare, även om det hörde tiden till.
Det första av antagligen flera Secret Garden-halsband. Längtar efter att se den nya filmatiseringen.
https://www.etsy.com/se-en/listing/75...
April 18, 2020
I just reread the Little Princess again, and it never fails to liven my imagination. Another favorite... and it's actually not a romance;)
January 23, 2011
I just finished reading a little princess, and it was a finaminal book. It is about a girl who looses her father (Captin Crewe) and has to go from being treated like a princess, to being treated like a scullery maid. I suggest it to all poeple who love to read and just eat up books as fast as they get them.
Wintermint
Wintermint
October 29, 2025
The Secret Garden deserves 5 stars for a kids book. A Little Princess 4 stars. I've read both to the kids, but this read was for the latter in this edition.
March 16, 2015
One of my most beloved novels. The Secret Garden has the first real great female character of children literature: Mary Lennox. She is the first heroin girl is realy human described with hard-temper, opinion. She is the garden: sick, alone, almost dead, forgoten by men/adult people. The lonely and sad girl grows with the garden and became a better person learning with nature and real friendship be a person for the first tim since she born one decade before.
Reminds me Charles dickens... as Pip, Stella, Oliver Twist, Mary Lennox represents the suffering of the children lost in middle of the problems of adults while they can´t deal with their own problems and ignore (or explore) their responsabilities with young people. Mary Lennox discover she is alive, not dead, and have the right to exist. She starts her adventure inside a dark house of 100 closed rooms and inside the garden, the unique world accepted her well. with nature and her frienship with a boy (good and pure spirit of nature) she change her own destiny and do more: she do the same for her cousin and save him and make him exist also. Mary´s courage to discover the garden and her own fault of life and make her own will happen until the end is amazing.
The Secret Garden reminds me other great novels like White Fang by Jack London, the young man having as better friend a wolf. And reminds me more of Mauler by Shawn Williamson, I read in the same year. Williamson´s novel is also great because as Dickens and Burnett describes the changes ocurred in England during the modernity of Industrial Revolution... turns men so lost, hurted, empty, worst, corrupt, bad, indiferent crashed by all news at the same time in a world without imediate answers... the unique salvation to young people was be in contact with nature or the most deep goodness (Oliver Twist) to be cured from the problems of modern man created to himself.
I like to read novels about the early period of modernity until the beginning of 20th century because them described in many ways the same agony actual men are living now. The darkness showed in The Secret Garden is the same showed in Frankestein by Mary Shelley... at least in Mary Lennox´s story she met the light in a closed garden while Pip and Stella don´t because they are more realistic like Daniel "fell boy" from Mauler... a character good but imperfect living in middle of brutality of his time... is just a person who learnt some lesson but will do mistakes as all of us. Because he is too human like Mary to be as Oliver.
January 1, 2023
Wonderful story that inspires me to love beauty and nature. A must read aloud for small children
March 10, 2023
Un clásico compañeras un clásico✨
Me siento más intelectual 🤓
Amé este librooooo<3
Me siento más intelectual 🤓
Amé este librooooo<3
September 7, 2020
Lo leía de chica y me encantaba, ahora que lo volví a leer lo redescubrí. Es una historia muy buena, me gusta como el autor muestra el proceso de pensamiento de los niños y las razones por las que se van transformando.
April 11, 2019
Lovely Classics . . . it's been awhile.
December 20, 2020
Loved 'A Little Princes' but did not enjoyed 'The Secret Garden' at all because of the Yorkshire talk. It's one thing to hear Yorkshire accent in movies but it's altogether a different thing trying to read English written in Yorkshire accent! E.g. "Canna' tha' dress thysen?" means "Can't you dress yourself?". Took me so long to figure out -tha'- means -you- and I was annoyed trying to decipher the dialogues that took up a good portion of the book. Another issue I had with this book was the numerous typos and Caps in the middle of a sentence for no reason that I suspect this is an advance review copy that was somehow sold during a book sale. Publisher trying to make a quick buck? Oh, it was printed and binded in such as way that I had to really open the book wide so that I can read the words at the inner side of the page.
Read
September 2, 2010a little garden is a good book.it is about a gurl and her father they were rich. her father had to go to work he worked at the diamond minds. so she had to go to this school that you live in. because she was rich she got everything she wanted she had a person that does everything for her.the person that owned the school did not like her because she got everything she wanted. she got everything she wanted because her father paid for it they had alot of money.then her father died and she was soo poor she had no money so the lady that owned the school made her live in the attic.after a year she fond her fathers friend he was in the diamond minds with her father then he took care of her.
July 27, 2014
Not many books that I've read and reread, but this one is definitely one of them! One of the first books I read when I was growing up and for sure one of the more memorable ones. There are so many movie versions of the book as well, but you definitely can't go wrong with this one:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108071/
The book is simple, clean, and easy to read, but it's very easy to love the characters and the book. I would definitely recommend this to anyone, young or old. A classic and one of my favorite books of all time.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108071/
The book is simple, clean, and easy to read, but it's very easy to love the characters and the book. I would definitely recommend this to anyone, young or old. A classic and one of my favorite books of all time.
January 6, 2018
I remember watching these movies as a child, and though I remember A Little Princess as being more dramatic in the film than what the book actually portrays, these two stories are adorable and I can only hope to have a son as soft and caring as Dickon and a daughter as smart and kind and poised as Sara
June 13, 2024
"The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a timeless classic that continues to enchant readers with its heartwarming tale of transformation and the healing power of nature. Set against the backdrop of the moors of England, this novel beautifully intertwines themes of friendship, resilience, and renewal.
The story follows Mary Lennox, a spoiled and lonely girl who is sent to live with her reclusive uncle in a mysterious, sprawling manor. There, she discovers a hidden, neglected garden and, along with it, a sense of purpose and belonging. Burnett's vivid descriptions bring the garden to life, making it a character in its own right, symbolizing growth and hope.
Mary's character development is profoundly moving. As she nurtures the garden, she, too, blossoms, shedding her sour demeanor and discovering the joys of friendship with Dickon, a nature-loving boy, and Colin, her ailing cousin. Their collective journey of self-discovery and healing is beautifully depicted, highlighting the restorative power of nature and human connection.
Burnett's writing is lyrical and evocative, making the transformation of both the garden and the characters a joy to witness. The narrative's gentle pace allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the magical setting and the emotional growth of the characters.
"The Secret Garden" is a delightful and inspiring read for both children and adults. Frances Hodgson Burnett's timeless story is a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit and the magic that can be found in the simplest of things. This book is a cherished classic that continues to touch hearts and encourage readers to find beauty and hope in the world around them.
The story follows Mary Lennox, a spoiled and lonely girl who is sent to live with her reclusive uncle in a mysterious, sprawling manor. There, she discovers a hidden, neglected garden and, along with it, a sense of purpose and belonging. Burnett's vivid descriptions bring the garden to life, making it a character in its own right, symbolizing growth and hope.
Mary's character development is profoundly moving. As she nurtures the garden, she, too, blossoms, shedding her sour demeanor and discovering the joys of friendship with Dickon, a nature-loving boy, and Colin, her ailing cousin. Their collective journey of self-discovery and healing is beautifully depicted, highlighting the restorative power of nature and human connection.
Burnett's writing is lyrical and evocative, making the transformation of both the garden and the characters a joy to witness. The narrative's gentle pace allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the magical setting and the emotional growth of the characters.
"The Secret Garden" is a delightful and inspiring read for both children and adults. Frances Hodgson Burnett's timeless story is a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit and the magic that can be found in the simplest of things. This book is a cherished classic that continues to touch hearts and encourage readers to find beauty and hope in the world around them.
March 1, 2020
This story is experienced through the Main Character, Mary Lennox. At the start of the story, Mary lives in India in a home owned by her parents. Marry's parents are never home, because of this Mary Lennox is left in the care of Indian caretakers instructed to let Mary have whatever she wants. Due to Mary grown accustom to getting whatever she desires, she becomes incredibly self-centered and selfish, only having regard for herself. Along with becoming selfish Mary Lennox also suffers from neglect from her parents’ absence, as her parents are never present and try to keep Mary a secret. Only Mary's caretakes know of her outside of her parents. Soon a huge outbreak of cholera strikes India. Mary hides in her room to avoid danger. Due to the outbreak, she becomes an orphan. Soldiers of Brittan rescue Mary Lennox and send her to live with her widowing uncle. Her uncle allows for Mary to live in his manner with him, instantly Mary takes an instant dislike towards the servants and the feeling is mutual. All but one servant tell Mary to remain in her room, just like when mary lived in Idea, except for one servant who tells Mary stories of her animal-loving brother and allows Mary to explore the manner. As days pass Mary starts to hear the voice of a young boy. Lennox approaches the servents and tells Mary that the voices are just in her imagination. The book goes on to detail how Mary develops into a caring compassionate person from a self-centered person. The book is a pleasure to read. The reader gets to watch mary developed in a great new way and the challenges that come with it. I would recommend reading this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2019
This review is for the audiobook version published by Our Life Publishing, narrated by Heidi Gregory, as posted by me on Audible:
'The Secret Garden' and 'A Little Princess' were among my favourites when I was a kid. I read them so many times I can't even remember not knowing them...But I've only known them in translation - in my native Polish. So it was real pleasure to finally get to know them in their original - and with such a fantastic narrator as Ms Gregory:)
Both stories send a wonderful, positive message to kids - life is full of magic, you'll find it everywhere, you just have to open up and listen, to the nature and to yourself. And no, it's not the elf, dwarves and goblins kind of magic that is found in fairy-tales and fantasy books; it's a kind of magic that we call love, God, goodness (whichever is closest to your heart)... Kids in both tales survive because they find or show kindness, use imagination, care about others... That's how we all survive in life, really, and that's what Frances Hodgson Burnett has been teaching kids for years now:)
Ms Gregory just makes the stories even more magical. She has a very nice voice, and she adds quite a bit of nice acting to her reading, which I think is important when it comes to books for kids. The listener has no problem recognizing the characters and the voices given to them nicely mirror their personalities. Definitely a win in terms of book interpretations:)
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
'The Secret Garden' and 'A Little Princess' were among my favourites when I was a kid. I read them so many times I can't even remember not knowing them...But I've only known them in translation - in my native Polish. So it was real pleasure to finally get to know them in their original - and with such a fantastic narrator as Ms Gregory:)
Both stories send a wonderful, positive message to kids - life is full of magic, you'll find it everywhere, you just have to open up and listen, to the nature and to yourself. And no, it's not the elf, dwarves and goblins kind of magic that is found in fairy-tales and fantasy books; it's a kind of magic that we call love, God, goodness (whichever is closest to your heart)... Kids in both tales survive because they find or show kindness, use imagination, care about others... That's how we all survive in life, really, and that's what Frances Hodgson Burnett has been teaching kids for years now:)
Ms Gregory just makes the stories even more magical. She has a very nice voice, and she adds quite a bit of nice acting to her reading, which I think is important when it comes to books for kids. The listener has no problem recognizing the characters and the voices given to them nicely mirror their personalities. Definitely a win in terms of book interpretations:)
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
November 6, 2020
***spoiler alert***
A setting that I found interesting in this book was 'The Secret Garden'. Not only because it's one of the key settings in this book, it's also described as a beautiful garden and it has a lot of memories in. A forgotten garden that was soon to be discovered my Mary Lennox. Mary Lennox is the main character, she lived with her parents before moving in with her uncle in his mansion. Before she moved she appeared to be a very ignorant and even bratty kid but then she later became nicer and more caring. It's just so interesting to see her behaviour and personality change through the book.
A quote that I found very important and inspiring is: “If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”. The quote is trying to tell us that we have so many problems in our world and we're just so focused on them and forget all the good things that are out there. Instead of focusing so much on the negative things that the world is going through, look at the positive things and focus on them, then you'll realize just how beautiful the world is, just like a beautiful garden.
I feel like all the books I've read made me realize just how lucky I am and I don't have to go through all the things that the characters went through: like losing your mother and your father isolated you in a room hesitating to talk to you or hiding in your room while you listening to the sound of guns and screaming in the hallway and in the morning, you found your parents dead.
A setting that I found interesting in this book was 'The Secret Garden'. Not only because it's one of the key settings in this book, it's also described as a beautiful garden and it has a lot of memories in. A forgotten garden that was soon to be discovered my Mary Lennox. Mary Lennox is the main character, she lived with her parents before moving in with her uncle in his mansion. Before she moved she appeared to be a very ignorant and even bratty kid but then she later became nicer and more caring. It's just so interesting to see her behaviour and personality change through the book.
A quote that I found very important and inspiring is: “If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”. The quote is trying to tell us that we have so many problems in our world and we're just so focused on them and forget all the good things that are out there. Instead of focusing so much on the negative things that the world is going through, look at the positive things and focus on them, then you'll realize just how beautiful the world is, just like a beautiful garden.
I feel like all the books I've read made me realize just how lucky I am and I don't have to go through all the things that the characters went through: like losing your mother and your father isolated you in a room hesitating to talk to you or hiding in your room while you listening to the sound of guns and screaming in the hallway and in the morning, you found your parents dead.
March 2, 2021
When Mary Lennox, a ten year old girl who has a sour expression and woebegone face was sent to manor in Yorkshire there she befriends Colin, a rambunctious and obstinate child of about 10 years who was the son of the owner of the mansion. He is bed ridden for most of the years and has never seen any of the seasons in a year. He has always between the four walls and never seen sun and moon. He has forlorn face and said to have a hunch back and bad in temper. Soon Mary finds a secret garden in the moor while playing around. With that the story incites with growing secret garden which was been locked for about 10 years. With the help of Ben an old man who is surly and Backon, Mary works a great deal for secret garden. Meanwhile she become close to colin and share her excitement and everything with him. Colin becomes inquisitive of secret garden and one day they both plan to take colin to moor. With 'the magic' theory Colin becomes hale and healthy. His father is exultant of his son and the secret garden that redefined everyone's lives in the mansion of Yorkshire.
It's one of the masterpieces from child's fiction written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Being a non reader of child's fiction I wondered how the tale would be. But it has gone against my grains. Every character has justified its presence. The concept of 'Magic' has explained in a sharp witted poignant way. It can be applied to our daily lives in its own way and has brought a strong story line in the end.
It's one of the masterpieces from child's fiction written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Being a non reader of child's fiction I wondered how the tale would be. But it has gone against my grains. Every character has justified its presence. The concept of 'Magic' has explained in a sharp witted poignant way. It can be applied to our daily lives in its own way and has brought a strong story line in the end.
January 17, 2021
"There is a sour girl named Mary, addressed as Mistress Mary. She has a hot temper, is sort of ugly, and was used to being waited on by servants. When she has to move to Yorkshire because she became an orphan and her uncle lived there she doesn’t like it at first. She starts to get used to it over time and stayed in the gardens throughout the day. She finds out about a locked up garden where her aunt died because of a fallen branch 10 years ago. Getting curious, she’s determined to open it up.
Mary makes friends with Ben the gardener’s friend robin, who lives in the secret garden Mary likes to call it. Thanks to him she found it’s buried key. She replants the garden and it’s wonderful. She also gets stronger over time and becomes friends with Marta the housekeeper and her brother. It’s a really good book overall, and I like it.
"
Mary makes friends with Ben the gardener’s friend robin, who lives in the secret garden Mary likes to call it. Thanks to him she found it’s buried key. She replants the garden and it’s wonderful. She also gets stronger over time and becomes friends with Marta the housekeeper and her brother. It’s a really good book overall, and I like it.
"
May 12, 2017
In the Secret Garden Mary has to move to Misselthwaite Manor after her parents died. During her stay she met a boy named Dickon. After awhile she found a garden and she and Dickon replanted it. One day she heard someone crying, when she found the crying she also found a sickly boy named Colin. They became great friends, and after awhile Mary and Dickon took Colin to the Secret Garden. A couple months later Colin's father came home to find Colin healed and the Secret Garden in full bloom.
I would rate it 5 stars. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good all-day read. The author did a good job of never letting the story lag. I learned that even the queerest people can change. I can relate to Mary the most because I love the outdoors and finding new things.
I would rate it 5 stars. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good all-day read. The author did a good job of never letting the story lag. I learned that even the queerest people can change. I can relate to Mary the most because I love the outdoors and finding new things.
January 19, 2023
I remember the entrance to the Secret Garden seemed a bit gloomy to me as a child, like the darkness pictured on the cover, so I probably didn't get very far in it. But Mom, 89 an avid reader has a pretty floral cloth covered copy she received as a gift when she was 11. She has kept it close at hand through a lifetime of moves and downsizing. She received A Little Princess Christmas 2021 which I picked up as we both enjoyed the large print edition. I had no idea of the joy in store, as I neared the ending and found my own Christmas Spirit refreshed and renewed! There is opposition in all things! I will probably go back and finish The Secret Garden just to find what captivated my Mom in it, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2023
This is without a doubt a 5 star read and a work of art. Especially in this day in time when there is so much corruption everywhere you look, and not much of anything wholesome to hang on to. This book was so comforting and perfect for reading in the spring. I don’t normally read books again once I finish them, but this was so cozy and fit right into the season so well, that I may read this one again during the Spring. Not a book to toss once it’s finished. I highly recommend this book! This was one of my favorite movies growing up and now it’s one of my favorite books! Also, this was right on time and the symbolism fit so well with certain things that are currently transpiring in my own life. I want to read more books by this author. READ IT & ENJOY
February 29, 2024
Such a wonderful childhood read. It took me to a place far away, a place where imagination was unlimited. I would find myself day dreaming often about this book, and pondering about the things I had or didn't have; what it would be like to be poor, wealthy or even an orphan. It shaped my moral compass, and although very young, I was appreciative for everything I had including family. After being exposed to this story, I told my parents I didn't want Christmas gifts; but to give what would be my presents to a local homeless shelter or family in need. (We did that, and in return Santa saw my good deed and surprised me with the movie!) I think every child/preteen should read this book since it has the potential to change lives, it is really that good.
June 29, 2019
روايه الحديقه السريه روايه جميله سرديه موجهه للأطفال ، و تحتوي على قيم و فوائد جميله و مفيده ، حيث احتوت على عدم الاستسلام للفشل او الاستماع لما هو سلبي و حثت على التفكير بالإيجابيات و الدعم و التوجه للدعاء و تكرير الكلمات الايجابيه و المحفزة و التركيز على الهدف بالتكرار و الإصرار اليومي و عدم نسيان العيش ببساطه و تأمل الطبيعه و الاكل الجيد و تكوين حياه اجتماعيه طيبه العلاقات المتوازنه. .
روايه جميله جدا و اكيد مفيده ، من وجهه نظري كثير من البالغين بحاجه لقراءة روايه الحديقه السريعه .
ملاحظه الروايه كتبت ١٩١١ لما تقرأها تحس انها مكتوبه ٢٠١٨ 💓
الروائع ٣ افلام عروضها سنه ١٩٧٥ و ١٩٨٧ و ١٩٩٣ ورسوم متحركه
احلى تصوير ١٩٩٣ بس في بعض التغيرات الخفيفه بالروايه ، الترجمه جميله💓
روايه جميله جدا و اكيد مفيده ، من وجهه نظري كثير من البالغين بحاجه لقراءة روايه الحديقه السريعه .
ملاحظه الروايه كتبت ١٩١١ لما تقرأها تحس انها مكتوبه ٢٠١٨ 💓
الروائع ٣ افلام عروضها سنه ١٩٧٥ و ١٩٨٧ و ١٩٩٣ ورسوم متحركه
احلى تصوير ١٩٩٣ بس في بعض التغيرات الخفيفه بالروايه ، الترجمه جميله💓
July 23, 2020
Mary, an orphan is sent to Yorkshire to keep her safe and she discovers a secret garden. During the nights, she hears crying sounds and finds a boy called Colin weeping. Why is he crying? Will the two children ever be able to keep the Secret Garden SECRET?
It has a sprinkle of friendship when the children work their hardest together to revive the nearly dead garden.This book shows how Mary who was once very surly become one who had many friends with the help of a garden.
This book would most appeal to those who have a taste of classic novels and evergreen stories by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
It has a sprinkle of friendship when the children work their hardest together to revive the nearly dead garden.This book shows how Mary who was once very surly become one who had many friends with the help of a garden.
This book would most appeal to those who have a taste of classic novels and evergreen stories by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
February 4, 2022
Originally written in 1911, the Secret Garden is about a girl who is called Mary who imergrates to Yorkshire from India after her parents die of Cholera. Misslewait Manor becomes her new home and as the story develops Mary explores, finding a fanatical Secret garden.
The secret garden is a fairly slow paced story that doesn't have many dramatic elements. But the author Frances Burnett is able to develop the characters within the book superbly.
In conclusion, the Secret Garden is a beautiful story but due to the story not having many unique elements, I don't feel that this classic story will be memorable for me in years to come.
The secret garden is a fairly slow paced story that doesn't have many dramatic elements. But the author Frances Burnett is able to develop the characters within the book superbly.
In conclusion, the Secret Garden is a beautiful story but due to the story not having many unique elements, I don't feel that this classic story will be memorable for me in years to come.
July 28, 2020
Mary, an orphan is sent to Yorkshire to keep her safe and she discovers a secret garden. During the nights, she hears crying sounds and finds a boy called Colin weeping. Why is he crying? Will the two children ever be able to keep the Secret Garden SECRET?
It has a sprinkle of friendship when the children work their hardest together to revive the nearly dead garden.This book shows how Mary who was once very surly become one who had many friends with the help of a garden.
This book would most appeal to those who have a taste of classic novels and evergreen stories by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
It has a sprinkle of friendship when the children work their hardest together to revive the nearly dead garden.This book shows how Mary who was once very surly become one who had many friends with the help of a garden.
This book would most appeal to those who have a taste of classic novels and evergreen stories by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
March 20, 2023
We listened to the Susie Berneis narration of this one and we loved it. I was pleasantly surprised that my kids were asking to listen to it more with it being an older book, but it was really good. I loved seeing the characters learn and grow, and can relate to the healing powers of gardening. I think it was good for my children to hear the different perspectives and to see that change from miserable and unhealthy to growing healthy and vibrant and being able to make friends in and make the best of a less than ideal situation.
November 3, 2019
This book is such a great book . I just spent so long reading it and finished it fast . The concept of this story is really thoughtful. I would definitely recommend this book . When I was reading it I could actually picture the scenes because it was well written. By reading it I could tell what the author was trying to share . This book is highly recommended, especially to beginners.
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