The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Overview
From the Publisher
Though Frances Hodgson Burnett wrote more than forty books, none remains so popular as her miraculous and magical masterpiece, The Secret Garden. Has any story ever dared to begin by calling its heroine, “the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen” and, just a few sentences later, “as tyrannical and selfish a little pig as ever lived?” Mary Lennox is the “little pig,” sent to Misselthwaite Manor, on the Yorkshire moors, to live with her uncle after her parents die of cholera. There she discovers her sickly cousin Colin, who is equally obnoxious and imperious. Both love no one because they have never been loved. They are the book’s spiritual secret gardens, needing only the right kind of care to bloom into lovely children.
Mary also discovers a literal secret garden, hidden behind a locked gate on her uncle’s estate, neglected for the ten years since Colin’s birth and his mother’s death. Together with a local child named Dickon, Mary and Colin transform the garden into a paradise bursting with life and color. Through their newfound mutual love of nature, they nurture each other, until they are brought back to health and happiness.
My thoughts
This has just become one of my favorite books of all time! Oh, why did it take me 49 years to find this book!??! I just LOVE it!!!
This is a classic children's story that remains pure. It's predictable but absolutely delightful! You know the author is top notch when you forget that you're reading and believe that you're in the scene right there with the characters! The book came to life before my very eyes; sometimes I thought I could hear and smell the garden surrounding me! It's heartwarming and clever and entertaining, and has a happy ending! (I was worried about that for a while!)
I would have loved this book as a child, but as an adult I can appreciate it. Being an avid (though not good) gardener, I loved the details that Burnett brought to the garden settings.
An excellent read, a wonderful story - hours after I've finished I'm still giggling!
Favorite Passage
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
[Note: This passage is from the end of the book! If you don't want to know, stop reading!]
"Do you believe in Magic?" asked Colin...
"That I do, lad," she answered. "I never knowed it by that name but what does th' name matter? I warrant they call it a different name i'France an' a different one i' Germany. Th' same thing as set th' seeds swellin' an' th' sun shinin' made thee a well lad an' it's th' Good Thing. It isn't like us poor fools as think it matters if us is called out of our names. Th' Big Good Thing doesn't stop to worrit, bless thee. It goes on makin' worlds by th' million - worlds like us. Never thee stop believin' in th' Big Good Thing an' knowin' th' world's full of it - and call it what tha' likes. Tha' wert singin' to it when I come into t' garden."
"I felt so joyful," said Colin, opening his beautiful strange eyes at her. "Suddenly I felt how different I was - how strong my arms and legs were, you know - and how I could dig and stand - and I jumped up and wanted to shout out something to anything that would listen."
