Reviews - The Secret Garden

9.1k reviews for:

The Secret Garden

Frances Hodgson Burnett

4.06 AVERAGE

magic_story_book_3's review against another edition

4.5

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: Yes

zyewra's review against another edition

3.75

This is such a sweet story. A childhood favorite. I haven't read it in years. I remember identifying with the main character because I spent a lot of time alone as a child. I understand, maybe not the loneliness, but the feeling of boredom when there were no playmates close in age.

tesshalim's review against another edition

4.0

lighthearted relaxing 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

bluhorseamy's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional 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

aeculley's review against another edition

5.0

This is an absolutely gorgeous edition of a well loved classic.

saf555's review against another edition

5.0

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

fanni_b22's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A beautiful and heartwarming classic. The Secret Garden is a story about the power of friendship, thought, and quiet transformation. While often labelled as a children’s book, its emotional insight and subtlety make it rewarding for readers of any age.

What stayed with me most was the way the book treats “magic.” It’s not supernatural, but rooted in belief, attention, and will — the idea that thought itself can be powerful. That felt surprisingly modern and very moving.

The characters were incredibly lovable, and I especially enjoyed the relationships between the children. The story reminded me a little of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, but with a softer, more hopeful tone. It was an adorable and emotionally rich read.