A review by fae_noir
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

There's a few cringy things in here that show the age of this book, and reflect some of the unflattering views the people of the time held towards women and foreigners. Those things aside, this was such a wonderful, lovely story. A story about people who go from being negatively shaped by their surroundings, to finding (and in some cases rediscovering) their true capabilities and best selves with the help of the special garden they become determined to restore to it's former glory. I needed this book right now, and it's message of the power of purpose, and of positive thinking, and of belief in things greater than oneself. And the friendships. Mary and Dicken and Collin are the kind of friend group every person in the world should be blessed with. That, and a feisty little robin to show the way when there's secrets to be found.