Reviews

Or so I think, at least. I'm a bit up in the air about it, because for the most part I really like the story, the gorgeous writing and the slight magical realism; but at the same time there are (outdated) things throughout the story that really drove me crazy and made me not love the book.

Spoiler

Such as the conversations around race and ugliness, and also as a chronically ill person the way the ending suggested that all illnesses kind of stem from the psyche didn't sit right with me. If at least that point didn't feel so much as general advice to the reader/listener, but more as something that spoke to Colin it would feel better. Because it is good advice to not scare yourself sick, but at least I felt it insinuated more people could get healthy if they wanted too, which isn't always true and can put a lot of blame on the victim.

All in all, I kind of wished throughout the entire book that was reading a reworked version of it, made to fit today's conversations better. I wished it didn't have the obvious racism and ableist beauty standards (read disfigured by Amanda Leduc if you're not sure what I'm aiming at). wished I had the same gorgeous storytelling, the same plot of the children finding each other and themselves, and the escapism without the infuriating small details that always brought me out of the story.

Carrie Hope Fletcher did a fantastic narration job.

Content Warnings

in_emmas_library's review against another edition

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5.0

Loved thisssss. So beautifully written. I loved watching all the characters change for the better and the role nature played in helping them all grow. Colin's father is a really interesting person and I feel like his story added a lot to this book. Dickon is the sweetest and I loved him.

A quote from the book which I feels sums it up brilliantly: ' it's been the making of her and the saving of him.

tashaw's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book as a little girl.

julia212's review against another edition

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3.0

a great story for children of all ages. it's rather simple but it has a lot of heart and that is what counts in the end. it's a story of self-belief and faith in something greater than yourself, friendship and family, secrets - that should have been talked about as well as secrets so special that you want to keep them for yourself while also wanting to share them with the whole world.

kymara's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

4.5

annieswan's review against another edition

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4.0

The Secret Garden is a super great book. I read it awhile ago and it is really heart warming. I think that the movie they made of it is also really good. People should read the book and then watch the movie.

lauroberge's review against another edition

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4.0

This is such a beautiful story! I really liked the characters andthe writing, but I still prefer A Little Princess. I’m glad I finally got a chance to read this one though!

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