Reviews

Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix by Cherie Dimaline

sapphic_book_dragon's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.0

ckreads28's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Read in Audio: While I was a little disappointed in the setting change at first, the more it opened up, the more I enjoyed it. I did enjoy the aging up of the characters setting a new set of challenges of girls in that era. 

I loved Mary and Olive's closeness as well as the new changes. These were girls who felt each others pains and filled each other with hopes. 

The sapphicness and found family Mary found in the house and staff her growth. The warmth of her first love. Sophie was an amazing showing her different truths and ways she may not have seen before. I need my own copy of this retelling for sure.

creatrix's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective 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

4.0

leslielikesthings's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rgibbons's review against another edition

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

sarah_d's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

jaugusto's review

adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I love the concept of the classics remixed. You choose a classic story, that everyone knows of, usually told from a white cishet male perspective, and you turn it on its head by asking an author from a different background to tell it through their own lens. 

As soon as I saw that one of my favourite authors, Cherie Dimaline, was remixing a classic I just had to read it. This is the first of the series I’ve finished (I’m close to finishing the Little Women remix on audio) and I’ll definitely read through the whole series. 

In “Into the Bright Open”, Cherie Dimaline reimagines “The Secret Garden” happening on the shores of Lake Huron, Ontario, in the early 1900s, an area where Metis live and are discriminated against. I won’t spoil what the differences are between the original and the remix, but I can say that the remix is much more compelling and mysterious than the original. It’s also scarier and sweeter in many instances. It’s impossible not to fall in love with the three young characters, Marie, Olive and Sophie. Even though I knew roughly how the book was supposed to end (again, this is a remix and some storylines are changed!), after a certain point in the story all I wanted to do was to keep reading to see what would happen to the three main characters! And I wasn’t disappointed with the great ending.

I highly recommend this book, especially if your wheelhouse includes retellings, intrigue or cozy mystery, indigenous representation, and queer storylines.

jacktardis's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

caitiep92's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

3.5

scribe391's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Set in 1901, after the death of her parents, fifteen year old Mary Craven is sent from Toronto to Georgian Bay to live with her Uncle.
Inspired by The Secret Garden, Dimaline adds personal touches to the original plot.