The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
On the grounds of Misselthwaite, her Uncle Archibald’s estate near the Yorkshire moors, nine-year-old Mary Lennox finds a walled-in garden that has been locked securely for years. With the help of Dickon Sowerby, a young local boy who can charm animals, Mary cultivates the garden, an experience that both improves her health and raises her spirits. Ultimately, the secret garden proves beneficial not only to Mary, but to her sickly cousin Colin. Nurtured with love and tenderness, the secret garden proves it has the power to heal the heart. First published in 1911, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden is a much-loved classic of children’s literature.
The Secret Garden is a favorite story of children and adults alike, one I was familiar with but one I’d waited far too long to read. It’s been so long since I started reading a book but didn’t finish it. As I mentioned in my 15 Middle Grade Must Reads post, I believe The Secret Garden was the last time I did that, over ten years ago. I watched and enjoyed the movie as a child, but my familiarity with the details of the story had diminished over the years so that by the time I picked up this novel to read recently, it was like starting fresh.
It’s easy to see why The Secret Garden is such a beloved classic. What a charming, feel-good read it was. Reading this novel felt like falling into a world of childhood again—there was a lovely simplicity and beauty about it, though it simultaneously delivered an unexpectedly meaningful depth.
The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary, a little girl who hasn’t been disciplined or shown affection throughout her life and it shows in her rather unpleasant personality. Upon arriving at her uncle’s house and learning about a garden that’s been locked up and neglected for ten years, she begins to grow curious and makes it her mission to find this hidden garden and make it her own. Mary’s life at Misselthwaite Manor is an intriguing premise that I would’ve loved as a child even more than I did now. Following along as she comes to realize the simple pleasures of life, including actually enjoying the company of others and watching the earth awaken around her as spring blooms, was lovely but there was so much more depth to the story than I’d expected. While I had a general idea of where the plot would go, I was still fully invested in the story and found it quite engaging. There was a bit of curiosity and mystery for both Mary and readers as a secret of the house is hinted at and built up and the reveal is nothing short of wonderfully dramatic and interesting. I’d forgotten all about it and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I would sum up the entire reading experience of The Secret Garden as lovely. I liked the children’s devotion to keeping the knowledge of the garden and their plans to bring it to life secret and I loved how devoted to helping Colin both Mary and Dickon become. Dickon was such a joy to read about—I wish I’d had a little friend like him as a child. He’s a special sort of character that’s just so genuinely good. In the deepest meaning of such a simple word, Dickon is good. It seemed nearly every character in The Secret Garden, besides Dickon and his family, experienced a sort of awakening to the world around them, snapping back to reality as they recognized the possibilities that already existed in their lives. I definitely missed the layers of meaning and impact within the story as a young child. It was more than just the garden that was neglected for the past ten years—some people were neglected by others, while some people neglected themselves and others. The blooming of the garden was the obvious symbolism for what you can become and how life can change for the better when you put the work in and open yourself up to the possibilities. The Secret Garden also focuses on the importance of mindset and thinking positively and optimistically while you work for what you want. The children think of it as magic, which is so sweet. Some of this positivity may sound cheesy, but nothing about the lesson’s delivery comes close to cheesy. It’s genuine and sweet as it teaches young readers and reminds older readers that you can find beautiful things in life as long as you’re keeping an eye out.
Aside from the symbolism and deeper layers of the story, taking the story in at the surface level (as younger readers might) was immensely enjoyable, as well. Hodgson Burnett’s writing was fantastic—simplistic enough for young readers to enjoy but engaging for older readers as well. The Secret Garden was rich with evocative descriptions of the world coming to life as spring arrived that I just loved. Certain passages, especially the one where Hodgson Burnett describes moments where one feels like they could live forever and ever, were so lovely and impactful. I wanted to bundle up in the beautiful descriptions and the lovely moments Mary, Dickon, and Colin experienced together in the secret garden. I just adored all of it.
Everything about The Secret Garden was charming and cozy. Familiar with the story as I was, I’d expected to enjoy this novel but I ended up loving it more than I thought I would. Before I’d even finished reading it, it was obvious why The Secret Garden has been such a lasting favorite for readers of all ages. It was a joy to read.
Have you read The Secret Garden? Do you want to? Let me know what you think in the comments!
4/5
Thanks for reading,
Madison