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adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
I fell in love with this story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Racism, Death of parent, Colonisation
Moderate: Grief
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ugh, not a good read if you're disabled, particularly a wheelchair user. I know it's a classic so thought it would be a good easy read before bed, but the outright racist and ableist narrative made me feel so gross.
Basically the entire crux of the plot comes down to being disabled is bad and a sign of a bad character, and if you just try hard enough you can be 'healthy'. There's even a scene where the wheelchair user suddenly stands up! Like magic! Barf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racial slurs, Racism
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racial slurs, Racism, Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse, Classism
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a heartwarming book with the wonderful progression of character of both main characters. However, the colonial undertones and colloquialisms surrounding Indians creates a sense of “otherness” and stereotyping that I was not totally comfortable with.
As a child, I loved the whimsical and the magically healing nature of this wonderfully colourful secret garden and the symbolism of hope and warmth and it depicted. Yet, looking at this as an adult reader, there are definitely those problematic tropes surrounding the tokenising of people of colour.
It highlights the privilege of white settlers who were able to move to British colonial India and benefit at the expense of the native population, ensuring subservience and dehumanisation.
So whilst I like the descriptions and the building of a magical world within a world, I think these criticisms host important conversations that should not be ignored.
As a child, I loved the whimsical and the magically healing nature of this wonderfully colourful secret garden and the symbolism of hope and warmth and it depicted. Yet, looking at this as an adult reader, there are definitely those problematic tropes surrounding the tokenising of people of colour.
It highlights the privilege of white settlers who were able to move to British colonial India and benefit at the expense of the native population, ensuring subservience and dehumanisation.
So whilst I like the descriptions and the building of a magical world within a world, I think these criticisms host important conversations that should not be ignored.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racial slurs, Racism
Moderate: Chronic illness, Abandonment, Colonisation
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 🌏🫶
But seriously, I do wish there was less racism so that everyone in the world would be able to enjoy it properly 🌏🫶
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
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 I’m not the most outdoorsy person and don’t know much about flowers. But looking back, I really appreciate the symbolism woven throughout the book. There’s a lot to unpack, and I’m sure I didn’t 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 “slice of life” quality, where everyone has their own struggles, yet we only glimpse them through someone else’s perspective, most often a child’s. My favorite character was probably Lilias, even though she’s 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 I’m looking forward to exploring more of the metaphors and symbolism in this classic, it isn’t perfect. One thing that stood out was the repeated use of the word “queer.” At first, I had to look up its older meaning, “strange,” since it’s more widely recognized today for its LGBTQIA+ associations. Even knowing that, I still thought it was quite queer, in the “strange” sense, that it had to be repeated so often. Maybe there’s 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. It’s mentioned repeatedly how negatively the Indian climate and culture supposedly affected Mary, as if England was the cure for her “bad” upbringing. Yes, Mary’s childhood was neglectful and loveless, but I don’t believe the climate, culture, or servants were to blame for that.
Lastly, I would’ve 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 don’t mind a slower, less action-driven plot. It gets 4 stars from me.
|—TL;DR—|
Focus Genre: Middle Grade Classical Historical Fiction (Non-Romance)
Nostalgia: Disqualified
Personal Enjoyment: 3⭐
Plot: 2⭐
Characters: 5⭐
World-Building/Setting: 5⭐
- Historical Accuracy/Immersion: 5⭐
Writing: 4⭐
Themes/Message: 5⭐
Timelessness: 4⭐
Age-Appropriateness: 4⭐
Pacing: 4⭐
Ending: 4⭐
=Overall=
4,1-stars⭐ ≈ 4-stars⭐
~17/07/25~
Themes/Message: 5⭐
Timelessness: 4⭐
Age-Appropriateness: 4⭐
Pacing: 4⭐
Ending: 4⭐
=Overall=
4,1-stars⭐ ≈ 4-stars⭐
~17/07/25~
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Racism
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
how are u gonna leave Mary out of the ending of her own book, frances? 😔
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Medical content, Colonisation
Moderate: Racism
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
I had a friend call this book quite dull, and while I can partly see where they were coming from I thought it was a delight! A simple story about a spoilt and angry child learning to be far less spoilt and far more positive.
(Granted, quick warning, it is somewhat racist!!! So if you do wish to read it to a child, as it is a children’s book, be prepared to maybe omit a few parts especially from the gardener Weatherstaff unless you want a very awkward conversation as to what a ‘heathen’ is and why that’s not good to call someone that)
It is a delightful book about nature, exercise and how positive thoughts and a positive outlook can help you become a more positive, healthy and happy person (of course not a cure all to everything but a lovely sentiment and definitely good advice to hold on to) . The descriptions of the nature, food and animals (especially those with the character Dickon) are an absolute delight to read through as well the Yorkshire dialect being quite charming throughout.
It was however quite disappointing when 2 of the female characters were seemingly ‘replaced’ by two of the males in the end. So alongside the aforementioned outdated views of India the book definitely has its fair shares of issues. But I still recommend it for anyone who enjoys the classics and of nature and wants to learn about that period of time.
(Granted, quick warning, it is somewhat racist!!! So if you do wish to read it to a child, as it is a children’s book, be prepared to maybe omit a few parts especially from the gardener Weatherstaff unless you want a very awkward conversation as to what a ‘heathen’ is and why that’s not good to call someone that)
It is a delightful book about nature, exercise and how positive thoughts and a positive outlook can help you become a more positive, healthy and happy person (of course not a cure all to everything but a lovely sentiment and definitely good advice to hold on to) . The descriptions of the nature, food and animals (especially those with the character Dickon) are an absolute delight to read through as well the Yorkshire dialect being quite charming throughout.
It was however quite disappointing when 2 of the female characters were seemingly ‘replaced’ by two of the males in the end. So alongside the aforementioned outdated views of India the book definitely has its fair shares of issues. But I still recommend it for anyone who enjoys the classics and of nature and wants to learn about that period of time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse
Minor: Misogyny
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Racial slurs, Racism
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This could've ended at the 80% mark and I would've given it 5 stars, lol. The ableist robin is wild. Colin is going to become the greatest eugenicist of his age.
Carrie's narration is stunning though and made it very easy to read.
Carrie's narration is stunning though and made it very easy to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Colonisation, Pandemic/Epidemic