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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Goes without saying, this book is old, its writing style slow, its content racially inappropriate. Basically nothing happened which made it the perfect slow Spring read, and I loved hearing about the power of nature and 'the magic', and how these might relate to God. Did find it a shame that Mary didn't really get an ending at the end? Maybe her story was done and given over to Colin's, but I was fond of her and wish she could've finished the book.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes
The Secret Garden definitely has some flaws (mostly ignorant racism against India and children in lonely, dark situations at the beginning), but its position as a landmark work about healing and positive psychology is still richly deserved because there are still so few books out there like it. It's unique in its celebration of nature, rural Yorkshire culture and the importance of childhood physical and mental wellbeing. Its messages of joyful living are possibly even more relevant in today's world then they were a century ago, and have the magic of being able to touch the souls of both adults and children. It is a story about the journey to being happy - and that is so valuable and underrated.
But seriously, I do wish there was less racism so that everyone in the world would be able to enjoy it properly šš«¶
But seriously, I do wish there was less racism so that everyone in the world would be able to enjoy it properly šš«¶
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Death of parent, Abandonment, Colonisation, Classism
Minor: Animal death
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I really wasnāt too sold on this at first but I ended up absolutely loving it
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
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
The Secret Garden was an interesting read that, I think, gains much of its value in retrospect. While reading, I was more focused on the story and plot, which at times felt a bit slow, especially since Iām not the most outdoorsy person and donāt know much about flowers. But looking back, I really appreciate the symbolism woven throughout the book. Thereās a lot to unpack, and Iām sure I didnāt catch everything, but I especially enjoyed the recurring metaphors of growth, such as the changing seasons and, of course, the Secret Garden itself. I also appreciated the way the book touched on mental health. Colin's entire journey, learning that most of his ailments were self-inflicted and that change starts from within, is a valuable lesson for a middle-grade audience as well as a good reminder for any other audience.
The characters were one of the biggest highlights for me. I liked them all, and despite how little background we get on each of them, they never felt overly dramatic or flat. In some ways, the story had a āslice of lifeā quality, where everyone has their own struggles, yet we only glimpse them through someone elseās perspective, most often a childās. My favorite character was probably Lilias, even though sheās dead before the story begins and only mentioned occasionally. Her tragic fate and the lingering influence she has on so many characters was fascinating to read.
While Iām looking forward to exploring more of the metaphors and symbolism in this classic, it isnāt perfect. One thing that stood out was the repeated use of the word āqueer.ā At first, I had to look up its older meaning, āstrange,ā since itās more widely recognized today for its LGBTQIA+ associations. Even knowing that, I still thought it was quite queer, in the āstrangeā sense, that it had to be repeated so often. Maybe thereās some deeper meaning to that choice that I missed, but from my minimal research, I couldn't find a good reason for that repetition.
I also have to deduct points for the racist undertones throughout the book. Itās mentioned repeatedly how negatively the Indian climate and culture supposedly affected Mary, as if England was the cure for her ābadā upbringing. Yes, Maryās childhood was neglectful and loveless, but I donāt believe the climate, culture, or servants were to blame for that.
Lastly, I wouldāve liked to see a bit more focus on Mary in the ending, since this is technically her book. That said, the ending was still sweet and satisfying overall.
In conclusion, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a thoughtful, reflective read if you donāt mind a slower, less action-driven plot. It gets 4 stars from me.
|āTL;DRā|
Focus Genre: Middle Grade Classical Historical Fiction (Non-Romance)
Nostalgia: Disqualified
Personal Enjoyment: 3ā
Plot: 2ā
Characters: 5ā
World-Building/Setting: 5ā
- Historical Accuracy/Immersion: 5ā
Writing: 4ā
Themes/Message: 5ā
Timelessness: 4ā
Age-Appropriateness: 4ā
Pacing: 4ā
Ending: 4ā
=Overall=
4,1-starsā ā 4-starsā
~17/07/25~
Themes/Message: 5ā
Timelessness: 4ā
Age-Appropriateness: 4ā
Pacing: 4ā
Ending: 4ā
=Overall=
4,1-starsā ā 4-starsā
~17/07/25~
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Racism
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No