Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

The Secret Garden by Burnett,Frances Hodgson. [1997] Paperback by Frances Hodgson Burnett

80 reviews

bookish_bry's review against another edition

4.25

hopeful inspiring 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

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This was a very enjoyable read and came at a point in my life where I needed it. In particular, the message of getting up and doing things to make you feel better instead of languishing in your own self-pity came at a good time for me.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Racism, Grief

Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent

There is a good amount of casual racism against people from India. This lessons later in the book when the main character is out of India, but it is uncomfortable when it's there.

books_r_cool's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. The characters, the descriptions, the wholesomeness, the idea of magic being created in your thoughts ugh everything was so perfect. It made me smile and almost cry and I loved the story and the characters so much at the end <3
My only problem is the sporadic racist and misogynistic comments that were so unnecessary (however, explained by the time period).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Racism, Xenophobia, Abandonment

lucygoosey's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, Racism

amalielisabeth's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous inspiring 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Racism

bookreadingelf's review against another edition

4.0

hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Racism

Minor: Death of parent

luananki's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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i understand why this one is a classic and it’s getting so much love. the story is very innocent and sweet. i loved the magical aspects of the book and it was refreshing that there was no romance in it.

still, it contains a lot of ableism and racism and i don’t feel like that’s something to read to a child when they’re just forming their world view

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Racism

Moderate: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Death of parent

Minor: Child death

wretched_divine's review against another edition

3.5

emotional relaxing 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Medical content, Death of parent

Moderate: Body shaming, Misogyny

veganecurrywurst's review against another edition

4.0

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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“At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done--then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.”

I am giving a very generous  4.25 stars. I did enjoy the book. It's an easy read and serves as a nice escape from everday life. I also liked how this book puts emphasis on the beauty of nature. 
However, I don't belive that this is a good childrens book:

1. Constant Bodyshaming
2. Racism... like it's alot. The way Mary and all the other characters speak(/treat) about India and Indians is just horrible.
3. Ableism
4. Collin's dad really failed as a father? I mean there are no consequences for him whatsoever
5. There is one part in the book where Collins says that it's the fault of the women that her husband hits her.

This book is more for young adults, who want to feel nostalgic or like dark academia/ cottagecore. I feel like this book could be edited (of course without changing the storyline) to be less racist ?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Death of parent

Moderate: Mental illness, Medical trauma, Colonisation

Minor: Sexism

anelya's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Racial slurs, Racism

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Emotional abuse, Grief

boxalligators's review against another edition

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Racism

Moderate: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Death of parent