The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Published by Barnes & Noble Classic
Publication Date September 1, 2005
Source: Bought
Genres: Classic
Goodreads
Though Frances Hodgson Burnett wrote more than forty books, none remains so popular as her miraculous and magical masterpiece, The Secret Garden. Has any story ever dared to begin by calling its heroine, “the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen” and, just a few sentences later, “as tyrannical and selfish a little pig as ever lived?” Mary Lennox is the “little pig,” sent to Misselthwaite Manor, on the Yorkshire moors, to live with her uncle after her parents die of cholera. There she discovers her sickly cousin Colin, who is equally obnoxious and imperious. Both love no one because they have never been loved. They are the book’s spiritual secret gardens, needing only the right kind of care to bloom into lovely children.
Mary also discovers a literal secret garden, hidden behind a locked gate on her uncle’s estate, neglected for the ten years since Colin’s birth and his mother’s death. Together with a local child named Dickon, Mary and Colin transform the garden into a paradise bursting with life and color. Through their newfound mutual love of nature, they nurture each other, until they are brought back to health and happiness.
The Secret Garden is a novel of Mary Mary quite contrary, whose parents die due to cholera and is sent off to live with an uncle. The house is old, dusty and filled with secrets. At first we all learn to hate the little brat.
Anywhose, a little bird tells Mary of a secret garden planted by her late aunt being “shut down” after her death. Of course Mary begins to revive it along with her disposition. Lonely Mary also acquires friends, a boy Dicken, brother of a maid at the manor and can “speak” to animals; Mary’s second friend is Colin her invalid cousin, a supposed hunchback and even more obnoxious than Mary, but of course the garden fixes that too, along with his ailment. It was all very Heidiesque
I’m not sure what I was expecting upon downloading it to my Kindle, maybe a childlike Midsummer Night’s Dream? Anyway, I should have known considering the title is the Secret Garden, but it was mostly about flowers and finding one’s inner beauty. I have no green thumb and think “inner beauty” should be left to Oprah and The Hallmark Chanel. I did like the book, it just wasn’t my taste (but hey it was free). I can understand why this is a childhood classic and I probably would have loved it but as an adult I got annoyed with touching definitions for each variation of flower Mary was planting. A small complaint I know, but there it is.
Kind of ironic–I'm reading The Secret Garden for the first time right now! BTW, I'm a long-time follower of your blog, and I'd like to ask for a little favor. I've created a reading challenge in which other book bloggers get to pick what I then have to read in 2013; I'd really appreciate it if you came over and left me some recommendations. Thanks so much!
JNCL
I found The Secret Garden surprisingly New-Age-y. I liked Sara Crewe much better.
I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your review of the garden fire pit. As someone who loves spending time outdoors, especially during the cooler months, I found your tips and insights to be incredibly valuable.
Your review was very detailed and covered everything from the size and design of the fire pit to the materials used and the practicalities of setting it up. I appreciated your honesty in sharing both the pros and cons of the product, as it gave me a realistic idea of what to expect should I decide to purchase a garden fire pit myself.
I also loved the photos you included in your post, which really brought the fire pit to life and helped me visualize how it would look in my own outdoor space. Your tips on safety were also very important, and I appreciated the reminder to take necessary precautions when using any kind of fire-related product.
Overall, your review has definitely convinced me to seriously consider investing in a garden fire pit for myself. Thank you for sharing your expertise and experiences with us, and for providing such an informative and well-written review. Keep up the great work!