The Secret Garden

by Bob Blaisdell (Adapter)

A writer of popular stories for children and adults, Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849–1924) was regarded as "a born storyteller," with a talent for creating memorable characters whose state of affairs frequently improved as the narrative progressed. The Secret Garden , one of her best-loved works for young readers, is such a tale.
In it, Mary Lennox, an overindulged child suddenly orphaned, is almost magically transformed into an agreeable child when she comes to live at Misselthwaite Manor, the gloomy Yorkshire estate owned by her reclusive uncle, Archibald Craven. With the help of Dickon, an unusual local youngster with the ability to charm nature, Mary not only manages to bring life and beauty to the secret garden — abandoned years ago when the mistress of the manor was fatally injured there — but also persuades Colin, her uncle's frail son, to lead a normal life.
A repeated success on the motion-picture screen and the theatrical stage, this classic children's story is sure to charm new generations of readers.

Genres: Audiobook, Classics, Fiction

96 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 1994

About the author

Bob Blaisdell is a published adapter, author, editor, and an illustrator of children's books and young adult books. He teaches English in Brooklyn at Kingsborough Community College. He is a reviewer for the San Francisco Chronicle and Christian Science Monitor and the editor of more than three dozen anthologies for Dover Publications. Email him at Robert.Blaisdell@Kingsborough.edu

Reviews

[Hannah]

Synopsis (in case it's been a while): Mary Lennox is a spoiled, irritating child that is orphaned by an outbreak of cholera and goes to live with her relatives. Exploring the huge mansion, she meets Colin, her cousin who is sickly and always in bed, hidden away from everyone. Colin is convinced he's going to die. However, Mary finds a secret garden. In the garden she and Colin find healing and friends.

As is usual when you reread something from childhood, I found The Secret Garden to be fraught with meaning and nuance I missed when I read it years ago. Mary starts out quite unlovable. She is selfish and spoiled; she is apathetic towards everything and orders servants about as if they were slaves. However, there is a moment-a beautiful, immense, solemn moment, just pregnant with possibilities. Mary has just begun to lose her apathy- she has seen the gardens on the grounds and is enraptured by possibilities of making things grow. In this excerpt, she stands before her formidable, enigmatic uncle as he speaks with her about living in at his manor:

"'Is there anything you want?' As if a sudden thought had struck him. 'Do you want toys, books, dolls?'

'Might I,' quavered Mary, 'might I have a bit of earth?'"

And with those words little, selfish ten year-old Mary speaks to the heart and soul of so many of us. Haven't we all, at some point, stood up to face our circumstances and quaveringly asked, "might I...?" Remember that moment when you crossed your fingers, said a prayer, and went out to make your bold request? If not, perhaps you should take courage from little Mary Lennox and ask, quaveringly or not, for that "bit of earth" you so desperately want.

[Erin O'Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must've read the full text of The Secret Garden when I was a child, because this all seemed very familiar. I found this Dover Children's Thrift Classics book for $1 at a bookstore and decided to refresh my memory on the story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. As a big fan of Wuthering Heights and the Bronte Sisters in general, I really enjoyed the Yorkshire setting and the Yorkshire accents. It's just a fun little book.

[Alexza Beltre · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really like this book because in the story he kids are learning what a good friend do, and what is the meaning of friendship. on page 42, colin a very spoiled child who do nothing, and that spend on bed all his life. he did not see the sunlight for a long time ago, until he met mary , there were very good friends and even know that sometimes colin wants to control mary she was always there for hem. one day he got of bed with mary's help and that they his change. on page 82 colin was tired of being sitting down all the time but mary help hem to stand up and he did and from that day on he was so happy. you would like this book if you are a dreamer, if you believe in hope and know that everything is possible. one challenge thing on this book was when mary have to revive the secret garden with out a grow up. i say this because that garden was the bigger garden and the most nicer of all. the setting changes througth the story, sometimes is on the garden,houses,backyard and even rooms. mary is a very nice person, good, responsible, pretty and you can tell that because of page 82 and the last page too.

[Jock Zollinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who goes to live with her uncle and she finds about a secret garden. I would recommend this book to people who like books about people keeping secrets. I would rate this a 3 because it wasn't really exciting to read and suspenseful.

[Joanna VanVleet · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great book to read with your kiddos!

[Joël · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story.

Though I had not much fondness for Colin

[Kimberly]

i thought it was an amazing book i don't want to spoil it for other people so all i am going to say is that but other than that it was amazing

[Sanika Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love this book as it proves people can change

[Billy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So euhm. Didn't understand half of it because of the old language and since most of the characters spoke Yorkshire and English isn't my first language.
Did enjoy the parts I did get