I like the fact that Mary is spunky, even though she has been neglected all her life. I love watching her "come to life" just by interacting with people who are down to earth (in Dicken's case, literally). Mary's interaction with nature transforms her - and she is able to transform the lives of Colin and his father. There is an element of magic in the book which makes it a bit fanciful, but in a nice way. ( )

http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1354473...

I had never read this children's classic (nor have I read Burnett's other well-known works, Little Lord Fauntleroy and A Little Princess), but like a lot of people who watched mid-70s kids shows on the BBC I have tremendously fond memories of the 1975 TV version, in which Mr Craven was played by John Woodnutt, aka the Draconian emperor / Broton the Zygon leader, and the three main child characters were played by actors who have since disappeared (though one of them is active in local drama in New Mexico).

I do remember starting to read it as a child, and being deterred by the grim first couple of chapters, where Mary's parents die and she is sent to her uncle's isolated Yorkshire home where she is insufferably unpleasant. I wish I had kept going. It is a lovely story of psychological and physical healing through close encounters with the regenerative forces of the natural world and also, y'know, just being nice to people.

The wind must have been worse than I realised today, because I found I had something in my eye a couple of times as I read the last chapters. Perhaps the plotline of a disabled child whose condition markedly improves resonates more with me these days than it would have thirty-four years ago. ( )

This is a wonderful book about Mary's growth. At the beginning of the story she was a much spoiled child and selfish. However after she moved to England, she changed into a very kind girl thanks to the fresh air, grass filled with flowers and a secret gerden.
I was moved to read this book because she was actually very pure and changed dramatically. I like this story the best of all English books that I have read before. ( )

This is a truly beautiful story of the unlocking after ten years of not only the Secret Garden, but also the inhabitants of Misslethwaite, the home to which the garden belongs. Little Mary arrives at the manor after the death of her parents. She is spoiled and selfish and has no sense of empathy or wonder. Slowly the spirit of the moor bring her back to herself and she helps to bring out the souls of all around her. This book is a wonderful reflection on friendship, wonder, hope, forgiveness, and for me most of all, the power of nature. ( )

Reading Chasing Redbird reminded me of how much I loved The Secret Garden when I was young. What a rich, sweet story about the power of love, nature, and positive thinking. Two bratty, spoiled children heal each other and learn to be decent human beings through the magic they find in their secret garden. A nice way to end the weekend... ( )