Reviews with content warning for Chronic illness - Secret Garden

This was really a surprising and lovely little read. I wasn’t intending this to be my first book of 2024, but it so Magically happened, and I think I needed it.

I remember owning this book when I was a child, but never got around to reading it. I think I would have loved it, but would have found the Broad Yorkshire challenging. Two decades later and I had trouble even now.

But it was really a beautiful story and one full of hope, which is something I needed at the beginning of the year. I found myself wanting to go back into the story to see how the garden was progressing.

Some of the language did make me uncomfortable, and I think I would need to have a long discussion with my son about the racism and colonialism featured in this novel before he sets out to read it himself. I would for sure recommend it to him when he gets older, though.

Content Warnings

clarney12's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-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

5.0

Content Warnings

ximevillarejo's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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

5.0

such a beautiful story must be read by everyone. the message is outstandingly beautiful and full of great things everyone could implement to their daily life.

the world is amazing and full of opportunities, we just need to get out there and grab them to complete our dreams. everything is possible.

Content Warnings

repunzee's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Content Warnings

whimsical_adelaide's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

angelofthetardis's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I've seen the film version of this starring Maggie Smith a few times over the years and always thought it was beautifully done, but it only recently dawned on me that, somehow, I've never actually read the source material of this children's classic! And I'm so glad I've taken the time to rectify that.

To get the book/film comparison out the way, while I do love the extra layers the film brings (I recall there being some quite dark moments, Colin's underlying jealousy of Dickon and so on) which make it a more rounded and immersive experience, I actually also love the simplicity of the book! It feels like a stripped back version of the film, with everything being driven by the premise of the Secret Garden. And it doesn't need anything else!

The story is primarily one of growth; the straightforward pleasure of children discovering their own little world and the Magic it can create is wonderful, as is the character development, both of the children and some of the adults! I love the fact that the author has taken the time to illustrate the dark place children and adults can find themselves in, and that it's possible to change your mindset and allow positivity and light back in. Equally, despite the fact this was originally published over 100 years ago, the arguments that fresh air, exercise and taking time in nature as an aid for depression, anxiety and various other health issues (physical and mental) still hold true today.

I'm also a huge fan of the descriptions of the garden itself. Whether or not I'm imagining it in line with the words on the page, the descriptions pull you straight into that little Eden, and it's so easy to see Mary, Colin and Dickon tending to the plants, doing their exercises etc. It really is a beautiful idea for a setting.

Likewise, while I don't usually enjoy books that "spell out" the accent of the person speaking, in this case I actually got into it. For the most part it's nor that difficult to understand, and it adds something more to the character development when first Mary, and subsequently Colin, start adopting the Yorkshire accent! It also helps that the author has included a couple of notes and asides to explain unfamiliar words and phrases, but even they don't interrupt the narrative flow.

The book is a product of its time; while it is far from the worst-aged book I've read, there are moments mentioning race, particularly early on, which don't stand up to scrutiny today. For the most part they are inkeeping with the context of the period, place and time in which the story is set, but there are a couple of occasions where a character's ignorance about other racial backgrounds which feel a bit unnecessary. But that's looking with 21st Century eyes, and I can appreciate that this was "normal" at the time of publication.

Something light and lovely to enjoy of an evening.

Content Warnings

More...