By Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret Garden: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) (Reprint) (2011-11-09) [Paperback] by Frances Hodgson Burnett

4.06 AVERAGE

jazzybooks10's review against another edition

4.75
emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

brody_09's review against another edition

3.5
funny hopeful inspiring slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

larism27's review against another edition

5.0
I love the movie and reading the book made me understand the characters even better. Perfect read for spring time.

jaygauci13's review against another edition

2.5
adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kellijbotelho's review against another edition

4.0
Romantic, lots of imagination, a little dark at times, but very magical

neopana's review against another edition

3.75
emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

zoneylow's review against another edition

2.5
The whole thing felt like it fell apart in the last 20-30%. I liked it up to that point, for a classic of that era and writing style.

gwyneira's review against another edition

5.0
Even as an adult, The Secret Garden still resonates with me. Burnett's tale of a sulky, unlikeable girl who is transformed by her discovery of a secret garden is in the tradition of didactic children's literature, but unlike Little Lord Fauntleroy, it manages to transcend the tradition. Mary is a realistic child, sullen and spoiled instead of naturally good and sweet, and her transformation into a happy, unselfish girl is effected not through lectures and punishments, but through the gentle power of nature and friendship.
valentine_'s profile picture

valentine_'s review against another edition

4.75
hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
briannasiegrist's profile picture

briannasiegrist's review against another edition

2.5
hopeful reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The Secret Garden is the classic story of a little girl sent to live at a grand house with her uncle after her parents die. She discovers a locked garden and, along with her sickly cousin, finds healing and happiness through the magic of nature.

The main character starts out spoiled and petulant, but somehow you still feel for her and want to see her grow. 

A big theme here is naturalism ( the idea that nature has a healing power that helps people thrive.) Sometimes the writing feels a bit preachy and old-fashioned. I think it would take a very precocious child to enjoy the unabridged version, but it is definitely worth reading at least once in your life, especially because of its place in classic literature and cultural history.