The Secret Garden

By Frances Hodgson Burnett

"The Secret Garden should be on every child's bookshelf."—Amanda Craig, The Time
 
An enchanting story of transformation and compassion, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden is widely considered to be one of the most important works of children’s literature. After her parents die of cholera, Mary Lennox, a difficult and sickly little girl, is brought from India to her mysterious uncle’s sprawling estate on the Yorkshire moors. Mary continues in her self-absorbed ways until one day she discovers a hidden and neglected garden adjoining her uncle’s mansion. When she meets Ben Weatherstaff, a curt but gentle gardener, and discovers her hidden-away invalid cousin, Colin Craven, the three come together to tend the garden, and Mary’s life—as well as the lives of those around her—begins to change in unforeseen ways.

This Modern Library Paperback Classic is set from the text of the first American edition published in 1911. 

Praise for The Secret Garden

“It is only the exceptional author who can write a book about children with sufficient skill, charm, simplicity, and significance to make it acceptable to both young and old. Mrs. Burnett is one of the few thus gifted.”—The New York Times

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Nov 27, 2007
• ISBN: 9780553904383

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849–1924) was an English-American author and playwright. She is best known for her incredibly popular novels for children, including Little Lord Fauntleroy, A Little Princess, and The Secret Garden.

Reviews for The Secret Garden

[cbl_tn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If I could choose a book to live in, it just might be Anne of Green Gables. I'd love to live with Matthew and Marilla; go to school with Jane Andrews, Ruby Gillis, Moody Spurgeon MacPherson, and even Josie Pye; sit in Miss Stacy's classroom, and have Diana Barry as a “bosom friend.” Of course, I would be nicer to Gilbert Blythe.I've read the book and watched the television adaptation several times, but this was the first time I have listened to an audio version. I noticed for the first time what I believe is a key to the book's enduring charm. It's Anne's voice. Although Montgomery uses an omniscient narrator, readers experience many of the key events not as they're happening, but after the fact through Anne's conversations with Matthew, Marilla, or Diana. This allows readers to view the world from Anne's perspective, as well as to view Anne as others see her.Since this book is in the public domain, there are many audio versions to choose from. Narrator Colleen Winton did an admirable job with the vocal characterizations, and I think most listeners would be satisfied with her performance.

[lauren2013_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the most heartwarming and wonderful books ever written.
Anne Shirley's personality and imagination are addictive. The secondary characters are engaging, the humor is quirky and the language is excellent.
A must read!

[mamashepp · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I think if I would have read this as a young person, I would have liked it even more. I thought the pacing was a bit strange--in the earlier chapters, things moved very slowly but later months would pass during one chapter. It felt like Montgomery had clearly intended the book to be the first in a series, so I was confused as to why she felt the need to rush the end.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I just didn't appreciate this. Anne is obsessed with being pretty & fashionable according to the standards of her peers, and she will not shut up even when her caregiver has a headache, and it takes her much too long to learn how to focus and not make a mess of things. I guess it's refreshing to read of a girl getting into mischief without being a tomboy. I also didn't like the ending - the author didn't have to make Marilla be needy of Anne to show how dutiful & ladylike she (Anne) had grown to be. I do so want to live at Green Gables myself, though - gorgeous countryside.

[nx74defiant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great charming children's classic.

[pamkaye · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed spunky little Anne. She made you laugh and feel for her with every word. This is one of those books that I just could not put down. I stayed up way too late to finish just one more chapter, wait just one more, no another. Even though this series is more for teenagers and young adult, I bought the rest of the series. I need to know where Anne goes from here.

[comfypants · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's very nice for about 100 pages or so. You get to know the characters extremely well in a short amount of time, and the sense of humor is occasionally pretty good. But there's no story, so why does it go on for so long?

[ericpatterson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun read. I have always been interested in reading any of the Anne books because I am such a fan of the movies that were produced with Megan Follow in them. I went in with the knowledge that they may be different from each other, but I left this book being more charmed than I intended to be. I could feel the progression of Anne developing in the characterization of Montgomery in a way that I haven't felt in many other books. I knew she was growing up as I noticed subtle slight changes. It made me appreciate what a gifted writer is capable of doing if they put their mind to it.

[secret7_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I grew up with Anne and her stories, adventures, sadness and friends, and still love her today. LM Montgomery has given me a love of all things Canadian, avenues of trees, kindred spirits, imagination and storytelling. And I have several lovely friends named Ann (both with an E and without), surely there is a connection?!

[shanaqui_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this when I was about ten or eleven, and forgot how much I adored it. I've finally got the whole set of the Anne books, so I sat down to reread this one today. It's easy to read, and charming, and more touching than I'd remembered -- I came over all sniffly a couple of times. And I also had a lot of delighted little giggles.

[jenn88-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Born in Nova Scotia, young red headed Anne Shirley became orphaned at the age of three months.

Elderly siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert decide to adopt a boy to help work on their farm, but end up with Anne instead.

[katieloucks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was in the play version of this! So good!!

[mrsdanaalbasha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite books of all times! I have read it gazillion times and watched the 3 movies million times! I guess it is for all ages and for both gender. I just love Anne and her red hair and wild temper and how she is always hopeful and dreamy, whenever I read or watch this story I feel lighter and happier, she is one of a kind.

Anne Shirley is one of my favorite heroines, and Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite books and series. I remember receiving it as a gift when I was about 11 and I read it and re-read it hundred of times. When I discovered the TV movies I fell even deeper in love I watched them with mom every night for all that winter! I just discovered the rest of the story.

In a way, Anne reminded me of myself, I was imaginative, so skinny, wild, smart, and in a way had a rough childhood, but no red hair! I love Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, I LOVE Gilbert Blithe! I guess I got "the whole full name calling" from this book till this day.

I love the goodness, pureness and reality of the story. I love to believe that humans can always find goodness within themselves no matter how different they are.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read somewhere recently that the best books are those that you close with a big sigh and then clutch it to your chest and Anne of Green Gables is exactly that sort of book for me. I have read this book about 4 times during various stages of my life, the last time was over twenty years ago when I read it to my youngest daughter, and I wondered if the story would still hold up and, for me, it does. The story of an orphan girl who is taken in by an elderly spinster and her brother, who goes through more than her share of scrapes and troubles is as charming today as it was when I first read it. Anne comes across as a very real girl, far from perfect, yet loveable and entertaining just the same.Although the style of the book, published in 1908, is somewhat dated, I personally still found a lot to admire on these pages. The author’s descriptions of nature and the passing of the seasons is lovely. Her characters are well-rounded and even though the story is somewhat predictable, it is a wonderful read. This is a book I first read and loved when young, the first book where I had to read about the death of a beloved character, the first book that offered me a fictional heroine to be a role model during my younger years. I simply can’t be impartial about this book. When called upon to name my favorite books, Anne of Green Gables is always in the top five, and that is still true today.

[satyridae · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Revisiting an old favorite via audiobook. Caruso captures Anne's spirit wonderfully well, and her narration is top-notch. The story is a bit more treacly than I remember at the beginning, and I found myself sympathizing with Marilla when Anne was nattering endlessly about some foolishness. I got over it all by the middle of the book and wept at the end. Very well-done.

[amandamay83 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh! It was better than I remembered. I laughed out loud so many times; I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh like that, and so often. And I cried like a fool at the end. It's been so long (20 years, I suppose), I'd all together forgotten how it ended.

So glad I revisited this one. A childhood favorite that stands the test of time.

[jenj5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

April 2009 Church of the Cross Book Club selection.

The first of my favorite series of books; I come back to them again and again. This is my comfort food book. Previously read October 2006 and many times before that.

[shannaredwind_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've never read this before, and I found it delightful. Anne is such a real character. I'll be reading through the rest of this series.

[cantinera · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I remember watching the series on the Disney Channel as a child, but never reading the book. I recently re-watched the series and decided to give the books a go -- and I absolutely loved them. Anne's journey and growth as a person is so fascinating. I was engrossed, not wanting to put the book down to see what Anne could get up to next. I am working my way through the series now.

[ilovecookies_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favourite book of all time. I have read this book about ten times!!!!! Everyone knows Anne Shirley's story, but if you haven't read the book, you don't know what you're missing. Anne is literature's spunkiest heroine...it's hard not to love this book.

[matlock8sarah · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Even better than I remembered! My first introduction to these characters was a read-aloud by my third grade teacher. I fell in love with Anne, Diana, Gilbert, Marilla, and Matthew all over again reading this novel as an adult. Written in 1908, I'm surprised at how forward-thinking Ms. Montgomery created little freckled Anne. Definitely a novel I will re-read again and again.

[thedenathome · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the TV series with Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst and Richard Farnsworth...they will always be how I see their respective characters. But the book, oh the book! It far surpasses the series as good books always will. Twain's comment quoted in the blurb on LM Montgomery's life is so à propos "the sweetest creation of child life yet written". How can you gainsay the creator of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn? Especially when you agree whole-heartedly with him? Montgomery uses simple techniques to delight the reader. Such as when Anne is taken unwillingly to apologize to Mrs. Lynde and Marilla notices a change in Anne's attitude "Anne had no business looking rapt and radiant. Rapt and radiant Anne continued until they were in the very presence of Mrs. Lynde..." The repetition of "rapt and radiant" sets you up for one of the many delightful moments in the book.As I chew my cud about the story now, I wonder to what extent one can insert the author into the characters that she so brilliantly portrays. Is one to see her in Anne or Marilla or perhaps the minister's wife or maybe a little in all of them? Be that as it may, this 58 year old man found Anne of Green Gables to be a highlight of not just his summer, but of his life!The uses one might put to this book seem endless: text for a primary aged class, text for a creative writing group, part of a course in Canadian Children's Literature, one could use it as a challenging piece of enrichment for teaching of English as a Second Language, and of course, one could use it as I did, just for the sheer pleasure of reading. I think of using it too similarly to how it was originally parcelled out as a serial Sunday School paper. Thus one can teach morals, human relationships, Christian theology or other such technical matters. And, I would hope to one day be able to read it as a bedtime story to my (hoped for) grandchildren.If you have never read Anne of Green Gables, do yourself a favor and spend some of the most delightful hours you will ever spend with a book.

[crfonten · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Anne of Green Gables is about an orphan who is sent to live with an older brother and sister. This book is sweet, funny, and interesting; it is a book that students will love to read and not want to put it down. Her misfortunes are very relatable for most school aged kids.

[petacomino · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved the book it was a very good book for ages10 and up. it makes you want more

[llamkin_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book! It has been my very favorite for as long as I can remember. My Mother checked it out from the Library to read to me when I was very young. I reread the whole series on my own in High School and often watch the Kevin Sullivan Movie version of the story. It is comfort food for the soul!

[andersonden · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's been some time since I read this classic children's book - now that it's nearly 100 years old it seems a bit quaint in some ways but it's a fascinating look back at our history (East coast Canadian to be specific but more nearly North American in sentiment). An engaging read.

[alicelee531 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

when a orphan girl came to a house ... a family life had changed!

[ajbraithwaite_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not sure how I managed not to read this as a child. I got through the Little Women books and the 'What Katy Did' series, but never Anne of Green Gables. My mother-in-law loves it and I bought it for her recently, so read her copy on the way back to Canada from a UK trip this week. Really enjoyed it - can see why it's a classic.

[apartmentcarpet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A staid old brother and sister take in an orphan with a huge imagination. I adored this book when I was little, and it has held up well. Even as an adult, I am able to enjoy it.

[bear08_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read all of the Anne books as a child, and then drifted away from them, but upon coming back I find that I still love these books. While they aren't as "meaty" as other books I could be reading, they are definitely enjoyable.