Reviews

Den hemliga trädgården by Frances Hodgson Burnett

emily_ford16's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Chronic illness

lswanson's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"Where, you tend a rose, my lad, 

A thistle cannot grow."

As he sat gazing into the clear running of the water, Archibald Craven gradually felt his mind and body both grow quiet, as quiet as the valley itself. He wondered if he were going to sleep, but he was not. He sat and gazed at the sunlit water and his eyes began to see things growing at its edge. 

There was one lovely mass of blue forget-me-nots growing so close to the stream that its leaves were wet and at these he found himself looking as he remembered he had looked at such things years ago. He was actually thinking tenderly how lovely it was and what wonders of blue its hundreds of little blossoms were. He did not know that just that simple thought was slowly filling his mind-filling and filling it until other things were softly pushed aside. It was as if a sweet clear spring had begun to rise in a stagnant pool and had risen and risen until at last it swept the dark water away. But of course he did not think of this himself. He only knew that the valley seemed to grow quieter and quieter as he sat and stared at the bright delicate blueness. He did not know how long he sat there or what was happening to him, but at last he moved as if he were awakening and he got up slowly and stood on the moss carpet, drawing a long, deep, soft breath and wondering at himself. Something seemed to have been unbound and released in him, very quietly. 

"What is it?" he said, almost in a whisper, and he passed his hand over his forehead. "I almost feel as if—I were alive!"

—————————————————————
As I was reading it, I almost felt as if I were alive too. 

“But we cannot simply sit and stare at our wounds forever.”
- Haruki Murakami

“To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work”
- Mary Oliver

shaq's review against another edition

inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Wholesome and inspirational!
I love how I read this book not knowing what it could be about, and while it had some very strong colonization as a theme being presented in a good light as well as other stereotypical views on other races as well, but if you could look past that, and I say this with the nuance that they didn't actually have a theme to play in the plot of the story, I feel like what was left was a very inspirational story of Growth and Recovery.
While it is catered to a younger audience for sure, there were some really great gems littered through the book with regards to companionship that was really beautiful to read and just threw me in for some nostalgic vibes with the secrecy and the imagination of children coming to life in a way.
As someone really reconnecting with Nature right now, I really loved the whole concept of reconnecting with earth and 'needing that fresh air' having a transformative power in one's health and fitness journey.
Definitely a well written and great classic to read if you're looking for that sense of adventure and childlike innocence that can be powerful than anything else.

beerandskittles's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

rianne_dg's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

lynsey_bren's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring

4.25

bookishlybeauty's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

jdstud179's review against another edition

4.0

This was my first audiobook! I’ve been hesitant to get into audiobooks due to my attention span and focus.
This book was amazing! Chapter 4 that introduces the bird and Ben…incredible! The detail and depth of each character is what really grabbed my attention and helped build this story. Beautiful friendship, healing, growth, and change.
I assume this is why people bird watch, and talk to animals as if they were humans.
Also this is why kids (and adults) need to go and be outside.

stacynalley's review against another edition

5.0

Well written book. Very good for a children's story. The word queer was over used. Kind of like ejaculation in Jane Eyre. So many other words could have been substituted. Just a little constructive criticism. I enjoyed the story. It read quickly. Wish I would have read it in elementary or middle school probably would have made an everlasting mark.

bpacker22's review against another edition

5.0

I adored this movie as a child. The Maggie Smith version obviously. This is the first time I have ever read the book and it was just as magical and wonderful as I hoped it would be. I love it so much.