The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

What secrets lie behind the doors at Misselthwaite Manor? Recently arrived at her uncle's estate, orphaned Mary Lennox is spoiled, sickly, and certain she won't enjoy living there. Then she discovers the arched doorway into an overgrown garden, shut up since the death of her aunt ten years earlier. Mary soon begins transforming it into a thing of beauty--unaware that she is changing too.

But Misselthwaite hides another secret, as mary discovers one night. High in a dark room, away from the rest of the house, lies her young cousin, Colin, who believes he is an incurable invalid, destined to die young. His tantrums are so frightful, no one can reason with him. If only, Mary hopes, she can get Colin to love the secret garden as much as she does, its magic will work wonders on him.

Reviewed by readingwithwrin on

4 of 5 stars

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This was a re-read for me, as I read this for school when I was younger.
See reviews first on my blog

The Secret Garden ended up being a bit of a surprise for me, after the first quarter of the book I wasn't really sure if I was going to like it or not. Thankfully the rest of the book I really enjoyed and grew to love the characters.
As Mary got to go out and explore and be a little kid we see her start to grow and change as a person. Then we get to see her help Colin and help him get a chance at a life he had never had before due to always being kept hidden away. The friendship these two make was so nice to see and I loved how some of the staff was so supportive of them going out and about and enjoying the world.

Overall this ended up being a fun classic that I enjoyed. The characters were so fun, and I loved the way they talked about the Garden and made it there own place after it having been abandoned for so long.

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  • Started reading
  • 7 June, 2020: Finished reading
  • 7 June, 2020: Reviewed
  • Started reading
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  • 7 June, 2020: Reviewed