The Secret Garden (original 1911; edition 1999)

"Two worst things as can happen to a child is never to have his own way - or always to have it."

What do you get when a seemingly unkept garden and two unpleasant, sullen children are thrown into each other's path? Magic. Not the hocus-pocus type, but instead the healing powers of nature.

"Rising out of the grass, tangled round the sun-dial, wreathing the tree trunks and hanging from their branches, climbing up the walls and spreading over them with long garlands falling in cascades—they came alive day by day, hour by hour. Fair fresh leaves, and buds—and buds—tiny at first but swelling and working Magic until they burst and uncurled into cups of scent delicately spilling themselves over their brims and filling the garden air."

According to "Unearthing The Secret Garden: The Plants and Places That Inspired Frances Hodgson Burnett" by Marta McDowell, "The Secret Garden" was partially based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's memories of her own beloved garden at Maytham Hall, in Kent, England, where she resided between 1898–1908. The fictitious story may be considered semi-autobiographical, as Burnett drew on some of the garden staff at Kent, family members and even herself, for various character's personalities. In her story, Burnett also highlighted some of disparities between the British upper class and the lower classes during the Crown Rule in India.

This was actually a reread for me. The first time I read "The Secret Garden" during 2014, I did not write a review, so I can only state I rated it four stars. The specific version I read this time around was "Kindle in Motion" which features beautifully rendered illustrations, some of them animated. Although I did enjoy revisiting this classic children's story, filled with beautiful descriptions of flowers and greenery, I appreciated the illustrations more this time around. Although the book is categorized as a Children's Classics, it is just as much a story for adults and our spiritual connection to plants and animals. ( )

Read as a child, reread as an adult. Understood the message better as an adult (although ti was a little unsubtle at times!) but still enjoyed it.[return][return]Orphaned Mary returns to England from India, where she has been spoilt rotten by her now dead parents and servants.[return][return][return]She now lives, seemingly alone, in a large, rambling house where the servants are too busy to do everything for her, and soon has to learn that she needs to make her own entertainment. [return][return]Exercise outdoors soon begins to improve her health, making her less sallow, but stronger. She makes friends with both the old gardener and a robin, the latter breaking the secret place of "The Secret Garden". The garden was locked up on the death of her unknown aunt - she has yet to meet her uncle, who has been off wondering the world since the death of his wife.[return][return]She also becomes friends with Dicken, the brother of one of the housemaids and between them they start bringing the garden back to life.[return][return]Mary then finds out that she's not the only child in the house. Her cousin Colin is confined to bed, either because of, or resulting in him being a sick, weakly bad tempered child. [return][return]In secret, mary and Dicken take Colin to the secret garden and with attention, fresh air, exercise and the right food, Colin begins to gain his strength. Both he and Mary learn to share and be less pampered and stand up for themselves and what is right.[return][return]Colin's father returns to find Colin fit and healthy, running around. The Garden is open and nearly back to it's original state. He learns that perhaps he should lock things away (including looking after his son).

What a pleasant surprise. I read this because my daughter did and I wanted to be a part of her enjoyment. I never expected to be so drawn in and made a part of the story. This is a truly wonderful story from page one through to the last word. There is indeed magic within these pages. ( )

A picture book version of the classic book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Beautiful pictures but the over-abridged story is missing the magic of the original. ( )

"I shall live forever and ever and ever... I shall find out thousands and thousands of things. I shall find out about people and creatures and everything that grows... and I shall never stop making magic. I'm well I'm well."