Book Review: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
First Published: 1911
331 Pages
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
The plot centers round Mary Lennox, a young English girl who returns to England from India, having suffered the immense trauma by losing both her parents in a cholera epidemic. However, her memories of her parents are not pleasant, as they were a selfish, neglectful and pleasure-seeking couple. Mary is given to the care of her uncle Archibald Craven, whom she has never met. She travels to his home, Misselthwaite Manor located in the gloomy Yorkshire, a vast change from the sunny and warm climate she was used to. When she arrives, she is a rude, stubborn and given to stormy temper tantrums. However, her nature undergoes a gradual transformation when she learns of the tragedies that have befallen her strict and disciplinarian uncle whom she earlier feared and despised. Once when he’s away from home, Mary discovers a charming walled garden which is always kept locked. The mystery deepens when she hears sounds of sobbing from somewhere within her uncle’s vast mansion. The kindly servants ignore her queries or pretend they haven’t heard, spiking Mary’s curiosity.
Kim’s Review:
This book is a classic! Not the stuffy, hard to read type either. I remember the first time I read this book; it blew my teenage mind! Someone from my mom’s family gave me my first copy and I think I decided to read it when I didn’t have anything else to read. I was surprised by how much I liked it! Just recently, I realized how long it had been since I’ve read it, so I decided to read it again. It’s still a great story filled with wonderful characters and an amazing setting! Misselthwaite Manor is everything our gothic fantasy could desire! All the way down to mysterious cries throughout the halls and a mysterious recluse that stays hidden. I also love watching Mary grow into the little girl she was supposed to be from the beginning.
It’s not a parenting book but I think modern day parents could learn a lot from it. Overall, this is a book that everyone should read! I think kids would love it and I know it catapulted me into a deeper love of reading!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
