Classic Review – The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Signet
Release Date: July 1, 2003 (originally published in 1911)
ISBN-13: 978-0451528834
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Bought for Kindle
Rating: 4/5 stars

I have seen plays of the Secret Garden but never gotten around to reading the actual book. I was excited to finally, finally get around to reading this. It was a sweet and well written book that is engaging and leaves the reader feeling happy and hopeful.

Mary Lennox is a spoiled and sickly child whose family died from sickness in India. Mary is suddenly transported to the cold and grey mansion of Misselthwaite Manor, to live with an Uncle she never sees and never hears anything about. Mary is mostly on her own and decides to hunt down the rumored garden that has been hidden for years. In her adventures, both inside and out, Mary hears the cries of a child and begins to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding Misselthwaite Manor. Along the way Mary gains both her health and a much less sour personality.

This was a well done and engaging historical fiction classic. This book was easy to read with some light humor and many heartfelt scenes. It’s one of those classics that really stands the test of time (I know cliche’ but true). It was surprisingly easy to read and very engaging.

The whole premise is about the transformation of two sour and sickly children into healthy happy kids; the secret garden that they find and work in is the main cause of their transformation. There are a ton of wonderful and quirky characters in here. There is some mystery as well.

This is a very feel good book. You can’t help but smile as these kids learn the pleasures of making something on their own and learning how to live and have friends. This is one of the books that just makes you smile and feel good.

Overall a very well done historical fiction that leaves the reader feeling happy and hopeful. The book is an easy and engaging read that really stands the test of time. I ended up enjoying it a lot and am glad to have read it. It’s a great book about growing up and friendship that I would recommend everyone read it at least once.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge