Reviews

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

poppy4378's review against another edition

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3.0

Loved reading about Mary and her transformation with change in surroundings. Colin's transformation however felt cringey. By this point the fresh air and their healthy appetite was creating a lot of eye roll moments.
This book was written late 1800s something and I dislike the author's tone about India and the natives. That definitely put me off. Also the "young Rajah's" (Colin) constant mentions of magic is just exhausting!
Giving the book 3/5 because I loved seeing Mary's transformation.

abbieh25's review against another edition

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inspiring slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

shipwreck78's review against another edition

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5.0

one of VERY few books i've read repeatedly. i love the idea of a secret place of my own...

assam_athenaeum's review against another edition

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

4.25

emicree's review against another edition

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3.0

Fun to read this book again after so many years. I would love someday to create my own secret garden :)

emicree's review against another edition

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5.0

Always a favorite!

amyschmelzer's review against another edition

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3.0

While not my favorite piece of classic literature, it is better than The Wizard of Oz which I recently read. I would have liked it better if it were 100 pages shorter.

The moral: “you can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it”.

erikajoy's review against another edition

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

4.25

lastbraincell's review against another edition

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4.0

The illustrations in this 100th anniversary edition are lovely.

I don't know why I didn't read this as a child. It's a feel-good book, and I liked it, even if they was a slight hint of moralizing in the end.

keara_heavens's review against another edition

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3.0

I haven't read it in years, but I remember that I much preferred "A Little Princess" to this book
It wasn't bad or anything. It was kinda just mid imo
My sister, who doesn't like reading, actually really enjoyed it, though