The Secret Garden (AmazonClassics Edition)

Great book
Good book for kids

Not perfect, but still deserves its reputation as a children’s classic
Despite being a voracious reader, there are some books considered “children’s classics” that I have never read. I decided to rectify this recently by picking up “The Secret Garden.” I was somewhat familiar with the story, as I’d watched a film adaptation of the story at one point, but am fully aware that books and their movies can often be vastly different. So though I could predict certain things about the story as I read, I still found it an enjoyable read… even if it isn’t my favorite book, and certain elements felt strange in their inclusion, especially towards the end.”The Secret Garden” follows Mary, a spoiled and unlikable young girl and the daughter of a British officer living in India. When her parents die of a terrible sickness, she’s shuttled off to England to live with a reclusive uncle, and finds herself lost and alone in the gloomy manor. But as she sets out to explore her new home and make sense of this strange new land, she discovers the titular secret garden — a garden that has been locked up since her aunt died in a tragic accident ten years ago. Enchanted by the garden, Mary sets out to tend it and bring it back to life, aided by a grouchy gardener, a soft-hearted animal-loving boy named Dickon… and Colin, a cousin who has been locked inside all his life and treated like an invalid. The garden turns out to be just the thing both Mary and Colin need to revitalize themselves… and it just may finally bring healing to a family long broken by tragedy…”The Secret Garden” is an enchanting novel, told with an almost fairy-tale-like language that evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of the English moors and gardens and their inhabitants. The writing style is lovely, and paints clear pictures in the mind. The heavy Yorkshire accents of certain characters can be tricky at times, but I managed anyhow. And while Dickon as a character feels a little too good to be true, almost straying into Mary-Sue territory, it’s nice to see Mary and Colin develop as the book goes in, gaining confidence in themselves and shedding some of the selfishness and bad temper their sheltered lives have given them.The biggest flaw, in my opinion, is that the book strays into a weird fantasy/magical-realism realm toward the end, which I feel wasn’t foreshadowed very well. I love fantasy and don’t mind magical realism, but it felt out of place here, especially with Colin going on about studying “magic” while at the same time declaring he wants to be a scientist. It just felt odd to me, and while it might be a product of its time (this book IS over a century old), it did taint my enjoyment somewhat.Still, complaints aside, I can easily see why “The Secret Garden” enjoys a reputation as a children’s classic. It’s not the best children’s novel I’ve ever read, but I enjoyed it, and am glad I gave it a chance. Perhaps I’ll pick up the author’s other classic, “A Little Princess,” sometime in the near future…

Classic story; classic edition!
Reasonable softcover edition of the classic story, illustrated by Tasha Tudor-the perfect illustrations for this lovely tale!

A little girl who feels alone and is sent somewhere, where she has to establish new connections. A mysterious setting, characters who must overcome obstacles and the power of friendship. I didn’t want to put any spoilers but there is a reason this is is an enduring delight for new (and repeat) readers.

I’ve seen the film but never read the book. Loved the way it was written and the narrative between all the characters rather than one person. I could feel Colin and Mary grow and wanted them to grow as beautifully as they were written. Dickon was a great binding character without taking over in the narrative at all. Very clever writing