Frances Hodgson Burnett

Oxford University Press Staff

Jennifer Bassett

Clare West

Secret Garden

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.

The Secret Garden

Love the insight to the differences of the two girls. My favourite part is how it shows cold Mary warming up to Martha bit by bit 

Lauren

If Martha had been a well-trained fine young lady’s maid she would have been more subservient and respectful and would have known that it was her business to brush hair, and button boots, and pick things up and lay them away. She was, however, only an untrained Yorkshire rustic who had been brought up in a moorland cottage with a swarm of little brothers and sisters who had never dreamed of doing anything but waiting on themselves and on the younger ones who were either babies in arms or just learning to totter about and tumble over things. 

If Mary Lennox had been a child who was ready to be amused she would perhaps have laughed at Martha’s readiness to talk, but Mary only listened to her coldly and wondered at her freedom of manner. At first she was not at all interested, but gradually, as the girl rattled on in her good-tempered, homely way, Mary began to notice what she was saying

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

Bella

When new, beautiful thoughts began to push out the old, hideous ones, life began to come back to him.

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.

🏹

the story is beautiful, talking about orphan mary lennox, unloved and unloving, who discovers a secret garden on her uncle’s estate and portrays her growth after reconnecting with nature. colin’s development through the story was so drastic, as he started off very spoiled and self centered and depressed, but after his interaction with mary, dickon and the garden, he gradually starts to change.

zeina

This is a wonderfully written novel for all ages. It’s about cherishing life and nature, about 

At first I had ambivalent feelings towards the protagonist, as she was described to be brash, ungrateful and quite dislikable, yet you could not help but feel a bit of pity for her.

Then quite suddenly strikes you the realisation she was just a curious child, like every other, who was desolate from the love and attention that one needs to grow. She could not understand why people had ill feelings towards her as she was not accustomed of their way of living.

This teaches us the very meaning of sonder - the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own, and humanity is the thing that each and every living being needs and deserves.

She eventually found it - not just in people, but in nature too, which introduces us to another main theme - the wonders of nature. The novel describes everything so vividly that you cannot help but fall in love with nature and life all over again.

Maya Alexandrova

This is a wonderfully written novel for all ages. It’s about cherishing life and nature, about living, but also about humanity itself.

At first I had ambivalent feelings towards the protagonist, as she was described to be brash, ungrateful and quite dislikable, yet you could not help but feel a bit of pity for her.

Then quite suddenly strikes you the realisation she was just a curious child, like every other, who was desolate from the love and attention that one needs to grow. She could not understand why people had ill feelings towards her as she was not accustomed of their way of living.

This teaches us the very meaning of sonder - the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own, and humanity is the thing that each and every living being needs and deserves.

She eventually found it - not just in people, but in nature too, which introduces us to another main theme - the wonders of nature. The novel describes everything so vividly that you cannot help but fall in love with nature and life all over again.

It’s a book I’d recommend to anyone!

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.

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

amelia <3

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

This was honestly a really lovely read. The old language combined with the Yorkshire dialect was a bit difficult to get into and understand as a non-native, but you do get used to it. I didn’t think I’d end up liking the book at first, and the beginning was a bit slow with unlikable characters, but as I continued reading and got to learn more about them and their development, I really fell in love with the plot and the message of this book and how magical and beautiful it makes everything seem. Wonderful book, I’d really recommend it.

E. H. BURNETT

i would want to reborn as this specific book without the racism 

Malia

Anna 

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

chaca

my feeling is all over the place while reading this book :___)

neglected children finding comfort and growth in the beauty of nature. what a lovely, lovely story.

Monicap

I remembered enjoying an abridged version of the Secret Garden as a child and let me tell you I'm very glad I read the unabridged story as an adult.

The Secret Garden follows Mary Lennox, a girl born in English-occupied India who was largely neglected by her parents until their sudden deaths at which point she is sent to live with a reclusive uncle in England. There are a variety of mysteries at her uncle's estate: There's a garden which was shut up ten years ago and the key buried; she sometimes hears someone crying in the halls but when she asks after it, she's told she's hearing the wind. Mary makes up her mind to find the secret garden and befriends an old gardener, a robin, a boy who lives on the moor, and eventually, the source of the mysterious crying. In searching for, finding, and tending to the secret garden, Mary brightens her own attitude on her life, viewing it as Magic.

This is an incredibly sweet, uplifting story in which orphaned Mary gets a little found family. When I initially closed the book I was a bit perturbed that the closing image was on Colin and his father instead of Mary but upon reflection I think Colin healing his relationship with his father is a kind of symbolic unification of Mary's found family--Mary will never get a chance to improve her relationship with her parents, but Colin gets to with his father. Both Colin and Mary found a mother figure in Susan Sowerby, and friendship in each other.

Idk like I get how the ending is a little bit, um, of it's time in it's approach to mental health but I don't care I really love this story. (though that is what is keeping this from being a five star read for me)

I listened to Carrie Hope Fletcher's audiobook rendition on audible while reading along and I can not recommend it enough. Her performance brought so much life to these characters it's unreal. 

Yeah, yep, good book, do recommend.

julia

Christine

Liz Hunsaker

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...

Laura Mauler

Very sweet little tale. You can predict exactly what's going to happen, and I don't think that there's anything wrong with that so long as it is good reading along the way.

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

Secret garden, The

Naomi Okechukwu

4.5 ⭐️

This book made me reminisce about my childhood, which was great for my idealistic mind. I did lose motivation towards the end as I felt it becoming a bit repetitive. Otherwise, it was a beautiful and enjoyable story! 

I recommend.

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

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.

It is a very beautiful book and wonderfully written. It is brings me a feeling of joy and wonder reading it.

Olivia Marie 

Anna South

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

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