The Secret Garden

Erin and I have been buddy reading classics with each other all year. Our most recent read was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I've never read this book before but I think I have watched a movie adaptation because the story seemed a little familiar.

This book starts out with Mary in India where she lives with her parents and the help. I immediately felt sorry for Mary because her parents acted like she didn't even exist and let the help raise her. Mary was a grumpy spoilt rotten brat to start with but her growth in this book is amazing. By the end she is way better. I mean everyone has nice stuff to say about her as opposed to what they said in the beginning. I will say though she can still have her moments where she acts out however it is warranted.

Then there's Colin who like Mary is a grumpy spoilt rotten brat although I would say he was worse than Mary in some ways but just like Mary he has tremendous growth throughout the story.
I couldn't stand any of the adults in this story. Not a one acted like a parent or guardian and it was like the kids ran the house which I don't know maybe it's how things where done back then but I didn't like that aspect at all.

I will say that the story is a little bit predictable but overall I really enjoyed it. I thought it was such a cute story and I loved having the majority of the book from Mary's point of view. There was 1 chapter told from a birds point of view that I thought was weird and random but it worked. Definitely recommend this book if you haven't read it already.

A fantastic little book, the kind that makes you feel glad to read literature. It's a tale of change, of healing, of growing and finding happiness in the most simple way. In our modern world of depression and anxiety, classics like this will never lose their importance.

listened to this audiobook while being told to k*ll myself on twitter because I said I hated Julian blackthorn.. not the greatest combo. I no longer have a twitter

I read this as part of a challenge as I had never read it before. I think if I was younger reading the characters accents would have annoyed me so I'm glad I waited to read it. I enjoyed it but wish Colin and his dad had more time together before the book finished.

I was surprised how charming this book was; the story of Mary's growth and awakening is really lovely. I loved Mary's friendship with Colin but was honestly disappointed that the resolution was so focused on “Colin and his father are healed and whole, thanks to um, I'm sorry, I forgot you were even here - Mary, was it?” Nevertheless, Mary is great, and the robin is worth a star all by himself.

I can't remember if I've read it as a kid or was it just the movie that I remember. I was really surprised by the ending, I'm not sure if I like how Mary got pushed aside for the father/son relationship.

I could appreciate it more this time around as my reading wasn't as plot-focused as it had been the first time around. I liked how the narrative commentary sort of builds an empathetic side of the reader. I LOVED the descriptions of the wonderful nature as it evoked my inner child, relishing the feelings of secrecy, friendship, adventure, childish wonder, and much more.

Still loved it as much this time around as I did when I was a child!

Having found myself with nothing at hand to read to the kids some weeks ago, the missus suggested this one which she had available on her tablet. It's an old story, 100 years old actually, and I'd never read it so I plunged in. The story is a bit dry and a little dreary but the kids were into it. On the plus side, it got more interesting as it progressed and the kids enjoyed the characters of Mary, Martha, Dickon, and Colin. The story brought forth a number of questions and discussions with the kids. That was fun. But as I got near the end, I was eager to just finish it. The kids gave it good marks. I found the business with Dickon's facility with animals to be fanciful to say the least. Our next book will be a more modern tale.

I enjoyed rereading this childhood favorite. I liked how Mary “blossomed” as she started caring about others and let others care about her. I also liked how she and Dickon showed Colin a new way to live.

yet another childhood favorite.