Reviews

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

seesincolour's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing sad medium-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

3.0

labunnywtf's review

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4.0

It's very strange that I don't already have this on my list. I read it years ago, used to have a copy.

aimeebrand's review

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4.0

I want a secret garden!

mianiekamp1's review

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-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

4.5

_denise_'s review against another edition

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emotional 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

4.0

johannavilde's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

4.5

ovenbird_reads's review

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4.0

I love this book. My father read it to me when I was little and I just finished reading it too my nearly 5 year old. So much of it is beautiful but there are also some uncomfortable things around the descriptions of the healing, civilized beauty of the English moor and the brutal, hot, dry climate of India which, the author suggests, prevents people from moving around, playing, and being healthy. There is a painful dichotomy set up between England and India which did marr my memory of this a bit, but the core story is still lovely. The friendship between Mary and Colin is beautiful. Dickon is still a magical, mythical presence, and the language is beautiful, allowing you to sink into the restorative power of nature. I loved the idea of a collective magic created though ritual in nature, will power, and the strength of love and friendship. I did balk a little at the "perfect mother" image put forth in the character of Mrs. Sowerby. There's an essay on there but I won't write it here. Despite the problematic elements I loved reading this to my daughter. It has a beautiful poetry and cadence and left me wishing for a secret Garden of my own to hide away in for the rest of this pandemic, to somehow emerge later whole and healthy and healed.

hsuahnnee's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

5.0

I wonder why my mom has not read this book when she was younger. It is a good book for children, especially to those who aren’t keen on playing outdoors and appreciating nature. Kids these days hardly go out to play and not really interested in nature, especially the ones living in the city. I love the lessons kids and adults too can learn from this book. If one wants to do something, although it seems impossible if you put your heart in it and you’re positive that you can do it, you will be able to do it successfully. I hope more kids would read this wonderful classic.

adireadsbooks's review

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

aristielle's review

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5.0

I've liked this story just with Mary. Mary was very well-written, her reason for being that way during the start was justified and her turning into such a cheerful and great girl was satisfying.

Then came Martha, and my interest grew. Her accent and her way of speaking was just somewhat so interesting for me; it made me more fond of the settings of the story.

Then we had Dickon— I especially became more interested when he was mentioned, more when he finally appeared and he was one of the best characters ever written; being a whole animal charmer, to being just flat out warm and adorable.

Then finally on my list of favorite characters, we have Colin. A tantrum-throwing skinny and unhealthy child, who transformed into such a healthy happier boy was just so amazing to see. Or in this case, read.

This is a 10 / 10 for me !! Sorry if my review was a lil unusual x.x my brain is weird when it's like 4AM. This was such a good book! My fave classic defo (well, it's my first classic read so--)