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emily_gaynier's review against another edition
4.0
Two asshole children discover gardening and become pleasant
sbookreader's review against another edition
hopeful
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
5.0
Absolutely lived up to my childhood memories of reading this.
sohxpie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
A truly wonderful story that I am sad I never read sooner. Admittedly I don't usually read books without a protagonist or a looming darkness but this was a welcome change. Everything about this book is just so lovely. The character growth is great to watch, with both Mary and Colin becoming healthier, kinder people. The fact that the magic in the story comes from nature was delightful and so well presented in the story, it is easy to believe the Secret Garden was truly magical. Overall, a really lovely story that I very much enjoyed reading.
lindyloureads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
3.75
harry_lemon's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
5⭐
Come for the story; stay for the gardening tips...
I was so surprised by this! I can't believe I didn't read this growing up, but I'm so glad I got to enjoy it now. The story was sweet and pure, loving and enjoyable. (This might be my red flag: I was waiting for something truly awful to happen. I'm glad it didn't though).
I loved the dynamics between the characters and how beautifully written the whole thing was. I can't say enough good things about this book, it was such a breath of fresh air.
Come for the story; stay for the gardening tips...
I was so surprised by this! I can't believe I didn't read this growing up, but I'm so glad I got to enjoy it now. The story was sweet and pure, loving and enjoyable. (This might be my red flag: I was waiting for something truly awful to happen. I'm glad it didn't though).
I loved the dynamics between the characters and how beautifully written the whole thing was. I can't say enough good things about this book, it was such a breath of fresh air.
libraryforspooky's review against another edition
4.0
Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel, "The Secret Garden," continues to enchant readers of all ages with its timeless tale of resilience, friendship, and the transformative power of nature. Set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, this enchanting story follows the journey of Mary Lennox, a young girl who discovers a hidden garden and unlocks the mysteries of her own heart.
From the moment readers are introduced to Mary, a spoiled and lonely child who is orphaned and sent to live with her uncle in England, they are drawn into a world filled with both sorrow and possibility. As Mary explores the vast, neglected estate of Misselthwaite Manor, she stumbles upon the key to a long-forgotten garden, hidden away behind walls of ivy and neglect.
As Mary begins to tend to the garden alongside her newfound friend, Dickon, and her sickly cousin, Colin, she discovers the transformative power of nature and the healing that comes from nurturing both the land and oneself. Through their shared experiences in the garden, Mary, Dickon, and Colin learn to confront their fears, overcome their past traumas, and embrace the beauty of the natural world.
What sets "The Secret Garden" apart from other children's classics is its ability to resonate with readers on a deeply emotional level. Burnett's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions transport readers to the windswept moors of Yorkshire, where they can almost feel the earth beneath their feet and the scent of flowers in the air.
Moreover, the novel's timeless themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of love make it relevant to readers of all generations. Whether it's Mary's journey from a spoiled child to a compassionate friend, Colin's transformation from a sickly invalid to a joyful boy, or the garden itself blossoming from a neglected patch of land into a vibrant sanctuary, "The Secret Garden" reminds us that even the most barren of hearts can bloom with a little care and attention.
In conclusion, "The Secret Garden" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its poignant storytelling, memorable characters, and themes of healing and renewal. Whether you're discovering it for the first time or revisiting its pages, Burnett's masterpiece reminds us of the enduring power of hope, friendship, and the magic of the natural world.
From the moment readers are introduced to Mary, a spoiled and lonely child who is orphaned and sent to live with her uncle in England, they are drawn into a world filled with both sorrow and possibility. As Mary explores the vast, neglected estate of Misselthwaite Manor, she stumbles upon the key to a long-forgotten garden, hidden away behind walls of ivy and neglect.
As Mary begins to tend to the garden alongside her newfound friend, Dickon, and her sickly cousin, Colin, she discovers the transformative power of nature and the healing that comes from nurturing both the land and oneself. Through their shared experiences in the garden, Mary, Dickon, and Colin learn to confront their fears, overcome their past traumas, and embrace the beauty of the natural world.
What sets "The Secret Garden" apart from other children's classics is its ability to resonate with readers on a deeply emotional level. Burnett's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions transport readers to the windswept moors of Yorkshire, where they can almost feel the earth beneath their feet and the scent of flowers in the air.
Moreover, the novel's timeless themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of love make it relevant to readers of all generations. Whether it's Mary's journey from a spoiled child to a compassionate friend, Colin's transformation from a sickly invalid to a joyful boy, or the garden itself blossoming from a neglected patch of land into a vibrant sanctuary, "The Secret Garden" reminds us that even the most barren of hearts can bloom with a little care and attention.
In conclusion, "The Secret Garden" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its poignant storytelling, memorable characters, and themes of healing and renewal. Whether you're discovering it for the first time or revisiting its pages, Burnett's masterpiece reminds us of the enduring power of hope, friendship, and the magic of the natural world.
izzum_pullan08's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
sad
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? No
5.0
beabookly's review against another edition
5.0
A perfectly lovely book with a tinge of nostalgia for me personally.
Frances Hodgson Burnett shows the juxtaposition between the beauty of nature and the ugliness and heartache of growing up such a sickly child as Mary Lennox did.
Frances Hodgson Burnett shows the juxtaposition between the beauty of nature and the ugliness and heartache of growing up such a sickly child as Mary Lennox did.
quadruploni's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Its original, serialized form surely contributes to the slow development of the story. Only a few characters are given character arcs (Mary, who hands off to Colin; Ben, Mrs Medford, and Mr Craven, in minor ways); everyone else is static and, in the case of Dickon, Martha, and their mother, unfailingly positive. Nevertheless, the tale is charming, its writing remarkably lucid, notwithstanding the passages of "broad Yorkshire."