The Secret Garden

I bought this to read again after watching the movie. It's far better than the new movie. Trust me.There are outdated racial attitudes in this book, sure, but they are a reflection of the times. And the true message of the story is beautiful. I remember enjoying this several times as a child and as a young adult, and I can still read it with pleasure, not wanting to put it down until I reach the end.

This was my favourite book when I was a child and as an adult I rediscovered it. You have multiple layers of analysis and of reading. You see a little girl opening up to the word and the whole self transformation process - absolutely amazingly written. Beautifully written with scenes in nature and in a beautiful British garden, this will make you want to go outside, enjoy nature, start a garden, meet your friend and read that story to children you know. It is an everlasting positive classic that it really worth reading and discovering however old you may be.

As an avid reader from a young age, I have read many of the classic children's novels, but somehow, The Secret Garden passed me by. Now approaching my seventies I have discovered the delightful story of Mary, Colin and Dickon for the first time. It is beautifully written and especially wonderful for readers who love their gardens. This could well become my favourite children's book of all.

Apart from wanting a copy of this book, the book cover design was also a big part of why I chose this particular edition. It arrived however, with a white fake sticker (in other words, printed and not removable) stating,"The Inspiration for the new movie." I'm not interested in the movie and not happy to have this advertising pasted across the front of my book!

This book, written for children, is a delight for any age to read. The descriptions, the intelligence of the message is something to think about and to realise it is so true. Think good things and good things will happen, not always we know, the universe is not always looking out for us, but we can hope. The children are children , innocent but learning the way of the world, and the best way to live. A lovely story of hope and truth.

I loved this book, and the movie, when I was younger. I have a beautiful edition hardback! I had heard that people who re-read this as adults found it racist and boring, I understand both points but this is a book that sparked my love of reading and taught me little girls didn’t have to be pretty and smile all the time! Mary is a good character, she is selfish and stubborn but given her upbringing it is hardly hard to see why. The setting of dreary moors and a dark mansion is lovely, I wish I had this in the fall cause the book gives me such a cosy feeling!Not my favourite childhood read but still one I enjoy.

Beautifully written descriptions of nature at it's best. A deeply insightful look at how our early life shapes us and how the thoughts and perceptions of others affect our choices in life. Two children born into challenging circumstances learnt the power of their own thoughts, their choices and the healing power of nature through their companionship with each other, the plants, birds, animals and grew far beyond what was initially laid out for them.

I bought this essentially children's book to re-read after seeing the recent film. That was thin on everything from storyline to character development which was what the book was about, but good on special effects which seems par for the course for films these days. The book is a much better story, though set in 1907 so now rather dated.