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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
3.0
I remember when I saw this book for the first time and read the blurb. The cover is beautiful in itself, but the hint of something magical hanging in the air hidden in de synopsis really caught my attention. The secret garden is one of my favourite books of all time and for some reason I expected this book to be something like that.
In a way I ended up a little disappointed and it took me a while to really get into the story. I was easily distracted while reading and at work I haven't been thinking about the story even once. The ending made up for it a little bit and on the way home I was a little more into Clara's journey, but the story didn't really end up convincing me.
And it's hard to say why exactly. Maybe it's simply the lack of magic. I've been reading so much fantasy and magical realism, AND I was somehow expecting it, that for a very long time I kept on hoping that maybe the magic simply hadn't yet appeared. A castle, a locked door, a key, letters and secret meetings, it was all very interesting and yet I ended up finding it also a little plain.
That wasn't because Clara wasn't likeable. Clara was a typical young girl, far from home and living in scary times. Her father is ill and her brother is fighting in the first world war. The mystery from the stolen and appearing fruit is a nice distraction to her and when she makes a new friend it's not hard to understand why she does everything for him.
But, it felt like the truly interesting stories laid with the adults. We saw glimpses of them in the end and when all pieces of the puzzle clicked, I really liked how it all turned out. But I would have loved to see more of them, of their stories and their backgrounds and motivation.
I think younger kids might truly enjoy this story, but I've read quite a lot of middle grades that have more interesting elements for adults than this book had. But, I think my opinion is clouded because I expected magic and didn't get it. My fault. I should have done more research, I guess.
In a way I ended up a little disappointed and it took me a while to really get into the story. I was easily distracted while reading and at work I haven't been thinking about the story even once. The ending made up for it a little bit and on the way home I was a little more into Clara's journey, but the story didn't really end up convincing me.
And it's hard to say why exactly. Maybe it's simply the lack of magic. I've been reading so much fantasy and magical realism, AND I was somehow expecting it, that for a very long time I kept on hoping that maybe the magic simply hadn't yet appeared. A castle, a locked door, a key, letters and secret meetings, it was all very interesting and yet I ended up finding it also a little plain.
That wasn't because Clara wasn't likeable. Clara was a typical young girl, far from home and living in scary times. Her father is ill and her brother is fighting in the first world war. The mystery from the stolen and appearing fruit is a nice distraction to her and when she makes a new friend it's not hard to understand why she does everything for him.
But, it felt like the truly interesting stories laid with the adults. We saw glimpses of them in the end and when all pieces of the puzzle clicked, I really liked how it all turned out. But I would have loved to see more of them, of their stories and their backgrounds and motivation.
I think younger kids might truly enjoy this story, but I've read quite a lot of middle grades that have more interesting elements for adults than this book had. But, I think my opinion is clouded because I expected magic and didn't get it. My fault. I should have done more research, I guess.
obirkkjaer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sarahj76's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
Clara is staying with her aunt and uncle while her father recovers from a gas attack during the Great War. She remembers them as kind figures, joking and laughing, but the two bleak, strained adults who take her in are almost strangers. They both work for an Earl and while Clara tries to make herself helpful in the grounds and their tiny cottage, she notices some things that don't quite add up...
This would be a fantastic additional novel for a class studying the First World War, as it deals with how things were going in Britain with most of the men away. It also talks about something I had never known; England's farmers were growing pineapples in hothouses! It's interesting to learn about the different types. The writing is so atmospheric it's like being there, in the damp warm hothouses and the damp, freezing coal cellars.
I want to mention the writing again, as it is amazing. Crows bustled in the sky like black handkerchiefs is just one example of this, keeping the lines perfectly readable but still very evocative.
I recommend this to anyone at all interested in the War or in a good mystery story.
I received a proof copy which did not affect my review in any way.
The windows rattled gently in the wind. A scuffle on the gravel outside.
"What was that?" whispered Will.
Another scuffle.
Clara's breath caught in her throat.
A scrabbling, sniffing noise just beyond the glass.
"An animal - a rat maybe," Will whispered. "On the hunt for some food." He brought his hands to his cheeks and twitched his fingers like whiskers.
Clara rolled her eyes, smiling. The weight of her secret felt a fraction lighter now that she had shared it. She focused on one of the pineapples, sitting proudly in its planting bed, the thin crown of leaves, the quilted fruit. Will was right. She should open the envelope. She would open the envelope. But once she did, she knew that things would be different. And sitting there, in the warmth, listening to the drip-drip-drip of condensation, a new friend by her side, she wasn't so sure she wanted things to change just yet.
This would be a fantastic additional novel for a class studying the First World War, as it deals with how things were going in Britain with most of the men away. It also talks about something I had never known; England's farmers were growing pineapples in hothouses! It's interesting to learn about the different types. The writing is so atmospheric it's like being there, in the damp warm hothouses and the damp, freezing coal cellars.
I want to mention the writing again, as it is amazing. Crows bustled in the sky like black handkerchiefs is just one example of this, keeping the lines perfectly readable but still very evocative.
I recommend this to anyone at all interested in the War or in a good mystery story.
I received a proof copy which did not affect my review in any way.
The windows rattled gently in the wind. A scuffle on the gravel outside.
"What was that?" whispered Will.
Another scuffle.
Clara's breath caught in her throat.
A scrabbling, sniffing noise just beyond the glass.
"An animal - a rat maybe," Will whispered. "On the hunt for some food." He brought his hands to his cheeks and twitched his fingers like whiskers.
Clara rolled her eyes, smiling. The weight of her secret felt a fraction lighter now that she had shared it. She focused on one of the pineapples, sitting proudly in its planting bed, the thin crown of leaves, the quilted fruit. Will was right. She should open the envelope. She would open the envelope. But once she did, she knew that things would be different. And sitting there, in the warmth, listening to the drip-drip-drip of condensation, a new friend by her side, she wasn't so sure she wanted things to change just yet.
milly_in_the_library's review against another edition
3.0
a very sweet children’s story set around the garden of a manor house.
litwithlexie's review against another edition
3.0
I'm unsure about this book as i found it very slow at first but once the main storyline start the pace did pick up.
For me I started to enjoy the book around the chapter 30 and from then I enjoyed the story, i particularly liked chapter 35 when Clara and Mrs Gilbert are talking and you can see their relationship now start to grow.
I also found the last 3 chapter moved at a fast pace which did help with the story and the scenes in the last chapter but I loved the ending as it was so heartwarming to see the people and relationships Clara cared about with her.
I also enjoyed the pictures this book painted for me as i felt so immersed in it from the description of everything to make the story come to life and feel real.
For me I started to enjoy the book around the chapter 30 and from then I enjoyed the story, i particularly liked chapter 35 when Clara and Mrs Gilbert are talking and you can see their relationship now start to grow.
I also found the last 3 chapter moved at a fast pace which did help with the story and the scenes in the last chapter but I loved the ending as it was so heartwarming to see the people and relationships Clara cared about with her.
I also enjoyed the pictures this book painted for me as i felt so immersed in it from the description of everything to make the story come to life and feel real.
lobo1tomia's review against another edition
4.0
Az elveszett titkok kertje borítója és a felületesen átfutott fülszöveg azt az érzést keltette bennem, hogy itt megint egy olyan angol ifjúsági regényt kapok, amely klasszikus témákat és helyszíneket mutat be, modern érzékenységgel. S igazából sokat nem is tévedtem, mert megkaptam mindezt és még egy kis meglepetést is.
Részletesen:
http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/2022/06/14/a-m-howell-az-elveszett-titkok-kertje/
Részletesen:
http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/2022/06/14/a-m-howell-az-elveszett-titkok-kertje/
womanon's review against another edition
5.0
This was absolutely amazing. I loved every second of it!
inwonder's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.0
coyney13's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0