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A review by toggle_fow
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Not sure what I was thinking when I gave this three stars on my last reread, but it probably went something like, Please, there is only so much you can say about crocuses.
Anyway, I think this book is the anti-particle of Heidi. They are in many ways shadows of each other, and I'm sure if they ever met they would instantly obliterate one another.
A lot of the themes are consistent (Fresh Air Is Literally Next To Godliness, a poor needlessly wheelchair-bound child, a lot of time spent outdoors probably makes you a good person as well as healthy) but there's a lot of inversion as well. In Heidi, everyone except Dete (and occasionally Peter) is well-meaning and as kind as they know how to be. In this book, Dickon and Martha's whole family are the Heidis who spread love and cheerful healthiness everywhere they go, but almost everyone else in the story is selfish and petty. Heidi literally quotes Bible stories to people, whereas Mary and Colin are both nearly small pagans.
The Secret Garden is the story of two selfish children and how they grow. It's great. I love it. And wow does it ever go on about gardening.
I have never felt a single iota of the rapturous adoration the author clearly has for nature. "The things which happened in that garden! If you have never had a garden you cannot understand, and if you have had a garden you will know that it would take a whole book to describe all that came to pass there," she says. Like, okay. I'll take your word for it. I've been forced labor for a whole lot of gardens, but clearly have not been initiated into the cult. I've never liked jumping rope, either, but every time I read this book I am transported into a land of whimsy and mystery where enjoying both of those activities seems possible.
The illustrations in my edition are fabulous, but Colin and Mary's interactions are the best part of this book. What I wish is that the story had kept Mary in the end as it had in the beginning. It becomes all about Colin's emotional resolution (which is great and needed) but I can't forget the scene the movie threw in between Mary and Mr. Craven. Very excellent.
Anyway, I think this book is the anti-particle of Heidi. They are in many ways shadows of each other, and I'm sure if they ever met they would instantly obliterate one another.
A lot of the themes are consistent (Fresh Air Is Literally Next To Godliness, a poor needlessly wheelchair-bound child, a lot of time spent outdoors probably makes you a good person as well as healthy) but there's a lot of inversion as well. In Heidi, everyone except Dete (and occasionally Peter) is well-meaning and as kind as they know how to be. In this book, Dickon and Martha's whole family are the Heidis who spread love and cheerful healthiness everywhere they go, but almost everyone else in the story is selfish and petty. Heidi literally quotes Bible stories to people, whereas Mary and Colin are both nearly small pagans.
The Secret Garden is the story of two selfish children and how they grow. It's great. I love it. And wow does it ever go on about gardening.
I have never felt a single iota of the rapturous adoration the author clearly has for nature. "The things which happened in that garden! If you have never had a garden you cannot understand, and if you have had a garden you will know that it would take a whole book to describe all that came to pass there," she says. Like, okay. I'll take your word for it. I've been forced labor for a whole lot of gardens, but clearly have not been initiated into the cult. I've never liked jumping rope, either, but every time I read this book I am transported into a land of whimsy and mystery where enjoying both of those activities seems possible.
The illustrations in my edition are fabulous, but Colin and Mary's interactions are the best part of this book. What I wish is that the story had kept Mary in the end as it had in the beginning. It becomes all about Colin's emotional resolution (which is great and needed) but I can't forget the scene the movie threw in between Mary and Mr. Craven. Very excellent.