Name: Secret Garden (Great Illustrated Classics)
Rating: 4.090261282660332 (1263 reviews)
ISBN: 9781591972075

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Malvina G. Vogel

Shelley Austin Kaster

Secret Garden (Great Illustrated Classics)

The Secret Garden

Books truly find you at the right time. I’m here with a heart full of hope after reading this masterpiece—finding companionship in three little friends who share a secret with me, whose wisdom I take to heart, and who gently urge me to befriend the neighborhood bird. Some moments moved me to tears in the most beautiful way. I’ll truly treasure this friendship I’ve built with each of the characters. It felt like Magic that led me to this book during one of the toughest times in my life.

🏹

When Mary Lennox was sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle everybody said shewas the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen. It was true, too. She had a little thin face and alittle thin body, thin light hair and a sour expression. Her hair was yellow, and her face was yellowbecause she had been born in India and had always been ill in one way or another. Her father hadheld a position under the English Government and had always been busy and ill himself, and hermother had been a great beauty who cared only to go to parties and amuse herself with gay people.She had not wanted a little girl at all, and when Mary was born she handed her over to the care of anAyah, who was made to understand that if she wished to please the Mem Sahib she must keep thechild out of sight as much as possible. So when she was a sickly, fretful, ugly little baby she was keptout of the way, and when she became a sickly, fretful, toddling thing she was kept out of the wayalso. She never remembered seeing familiarly anything but the dark faces of her Ayah and the othernative servants, and as they always obeyed her and gave her her own way in everything, because theMem Sahib would be angry if she was disturbed by her crying, by the time she was six years old shewas as tyrannical and selfish a little pig as ever lived. The young English governess who came toteach her to read and write disliked her so much that she gave up her place in three months, andwhen other governesses came to try to fill it they always went away in a shorter time than the firstone. So if Mary had not chosen to really want to know how to read books she would never havelearned her letters at all.One frightfully hot morning, when she was about nine years old, she awakened feeling very cross, and she became crosser still when she saw that the servant who stood by her bedside was not herAyah

Complete

It may be a children's book, but it's a marvelous book. It's so nostalgic and sweet. "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a magical, literary gem that's stood the test of time. It's got alluring storytelling and enchanting characters, which have made it an enduring classic that's adored by readers of all ages.

What makes "The Secret Garden" truly special is its exploration of themes such as friendship, healing, and the power of nature. It's become my comfort book and has a soothing effect on the soul. Its charming narrative and the sense of hope it instills make it a perfect escape from the chaos of the world. Whether you're a child or an adult, this timeless tale will transport you to a place of warmth, imagination, and joy.

Tali ⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

It may be a children's book, but it's a marvelous book. It's so nostalgic and sweet. "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a magical, literary gem that's stood the test of time. It's got alluring storytelling and enchanting characters, which have made it an enduring classic that's adored by readers of all ages.

What makes "The Secret Garden" truly special is its exploration of themes such as friendship, healing, and the power of nature. It's become my comfort book and has a soothing effect on the soul. Its charming narrative and the sense of hope it instills make it a perfect escape from the chaos of the world. Whether you're a child or an adult, this timeless tale will transport you to a place of warmth, imagination, and joy.

The Secret Garden, a classic loved for more than seventy-five years, is all that its title implies. It is, as one might imagine, a mystery. But it is also a love story and the love is as passionate and fervent as one could imagine. It is a story of the love of nature, of science and the scientific method, and of isolated and lonely human beings who learn to care not only for others, but equally important, for themselves. This deluxe Children’s Classic edition is produced with high-quality, leatherlike binding with gold stamping, full-color covers, colored endpapers with a book nameplate. Some of the other titles in this series include: Anne of Green Gables, Black Beauty, King Arthur and His Knights, Little Women, and Treasure Island.

i loved this book so much I can’t even describe 

amelia <3

Anna 

it was alright, but it was that kind of book I'll totally forget about in a month

julia

Christine

Deepika Ramesh

If I were given a chance to trade my life with a literary character, perhaps I would choose Dickon from 'The Secret Garden.' Full review here: https://worncorners.wordpress.com/201...

While I found the story to be charming, I did notice a few repetitive words that were a bit distracting. However, the overarching message I gleaned from the narrative is the importance of altering our perspective at times to recognize the kindness within people and to treat them with greater compassion. Life presents challenges to everyone, and it serves as a reminder that being unkind or rude does not contribute positively to anyone's journey.

Jovana Gjekanovikj 

becky oh

The Secret Garden (Gift Books)

Colleen

4.5 Stars
 
I’ve been revisiting a few old classics lately. The Secret Garden was a favorite of mine growing up. While this time I viewed the story through different eyes, I nonetheless enjoyed it. It truly is a classic for the ages.
 
While rereading this, the first thing that popped out at me was that the main character, Mary Lennox, was described in such unflattering ways. Literally from the first page, it is mentioned repeatedly that Mary is sour in looks and disposition. She is described as ugly and unpleasant and spoiled rotten. Far from being insulted by this, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Literature these days is so inundated with gorgeous Mary Sues that a plain and unlikely heroine was an absolute delight. And yes, the book certainly carries lessons about true beauty coming from inside, but I found I rather enjoyed sour little Mary is spite of (or perhaps because of) her faults.
 
Another thing that I didn’t see clearly before was that The Secret Garden has a lot of Gothic flavor to it. The tragic backstories, an orphan, a desolate, old mansion on the English moor, family secrets, hidden locations… all that was missing was a ghost. This book definitely peaked my interesting in the setting, and now I can see how it subconsciously led to my like of other Gothic stories.
 
Yes, the language is dated, and the phonetic writing of the Yorkshire accent is a bit over the top at times. The message that children thrive best out of doors gets a bit heavy-handed at times. That’s something I never noticed as a child because – other than reading – my parents were very much of the “playing outside is best for child” mentality. So that was a normal sentiment to me. But I think there is still some useful food for thought in The Secret Garden. Sadly, parental neglect and child inactivity is still an issue today. Although I do also have to admit that Mrs. Medlock didn’t seem nearly as villainous to me now as she did when I was little. I may have unfairly judged her. Rereading books is such a good way of showing you differences in yourself.
 
A garden is such a simple thing, and yet there is a sort of magic in them. This book captures that magic and the magic of imagination. It is definitely a story that I will continue to treasure. A story that makes me think of Spring and second chances and the joy that a flower or a book can bring.


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 5 Stars
Writing Style: 4 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 5 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 4 Stars
Level of Captivation: 5 Stars
Originality: 5 Stars

Ten-year-old orphan Mary Lennox is sent to live in a largely uninhabited mansion on the Yorkshire moors and discovers an invalid cousin and the mysteries of a locked garden.

The secret garden

Lynn

This story was a beautiful middlegrade tale. It had a darkness to light element, a touch of magical realism with lush descriptions of nature and character development some other books could take a note on. It did feel a bit ‘childish’ at times and I felt a bit distant from the characters. Therefore I personally wouldn’t reread, yet I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light and young spring read - thus the 3 stars. Audible narration was impeccable though, Yorkshire accents and all.

Anna South

Secret Garden

Anna

The Secret Garden is a story that has been with me for almost as long as I can remember.
I don't remember how small I was when I first saw the movie (1993) but it has instantly become one of my long time favourites. When someone says garden I can only see the secret garden before me. I think it thought me more than I ever realised.

But for long years it only stayed with me as a movie. I think I only realised it's a book about 2 years ago and I just couldn't wait to have my hands on a copy. And about a month ago I've got this beautiful copy as a present from my Mom. I still have a laughing fit when I remember how afraid she was that I wouldn't like it. Never in my life was I more in love with a book. 

While reading I just fall more and more in love with an already very loved story. I even learned to love Colin. I love how Hodgson Burnett descripes Magic, how she makes me forget the real world around me and takes me to a places filled with joy and laughter, how she makes feel like I'm standing in the Secret Garden.

This is a book I recommend to everbody and one that I'll be sure to read to my future children and any nephews or nieces I might have.

Secret Garden (Great Illustrated Classics)

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