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nicolewhopickedthisbook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was so hard to get through this book. If I didn’t have the audiobook, I don’t think I would have. It’s slow and dry as really all classics are but also these characters are racist as heck! Holy moly!
I did enjoy that these kids came together as a found family and became well adjusted because they were spoiled brats in the beginning.
The only nice and likeable character in this book is Dickon.
I did enjoy that these kids came together as a found family and became well adjusted because they were spoiled brats in the beginning.
The only nice and likeable character in this book is Dickon.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Abandonment
lex_r's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
4.0
I have always wanted to read this book as a young adult but never got the chance. I loved the movie and I can say I equally loved most of this book. I refrain from giving it five stars because of the racism and colonialism that are somewhat central the the origins of Mary, the main character. Mary is the daughter of British colonizers who live in India, unforeseen circumstances lead Mary to England which is where she learns and develops her character. I love the child playfulness and the wonder that all the children blossom into, but it is hard to ignore the blatant racism by the main characters. Compared to the the other novels that I have read this year the happy ending of this was refreshing and it was really nice to read a book geared toward children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse
sir_ren's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
a story of a family healing from past events - set in the colonial period, partly in India and the rest in Yorkshire, England - the main characters have tragic beginnings - also a story of children growing up
personally would have liked it better as a child as it is the target demographic
personally would have liked it better as a child as it is the target demographic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Death of parent, and Colonisation
veganecurrywurst's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done--then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.”
I am giving a very generous 4.25 stars. I did enjoy the book. It's an easy read and serves as a nice escape from everday life. I also liked how this book puts emphasis on the beauty of nature.
However, I don't belive that this is a good childrens book:
1. Constant Bodyshaming
2. Racism... like it's alot. The way Mary and all the other characters speak(/treat) about India and Indians is just horrible.
3. Ableism
4. Collin's dad really failed as a father? I mean there are no consequences for him whatsoever
5. There is one part in the book where Collins says that it's the fault of the women that her husband hits her.
This book is more for young adults, who want to feel nostalgic or like dark academia/ cottagecore. I feel like this book could be edited (of course without changing the storyline) to be less racist ?
I am giving a very generous 4.25 stars. I did enjoy the book. It's an easy read and serves as a nice escape from everday life. I also liked how this book puts emphasis on the beauty of nature.
However, I don't belive that this is a good childrens book:
1. Constant Bodyshaming
2. Racism... like it's alot. The way Mary and all the other characters speak(/treat) about India and Indians is just horrible.
3. Ableism
4. Collin's dad really failed as a father? I mean there are no consequences for him whatsoever
5. There is one part in the book where Collins says that it's the fault of the women that her husband hits her.
This book is more for young adults, who want to feel nostalgic or like dark academia/ cottagecore. I feel like this book could be edited (of course without changing the storyline) to be less racist ?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness, Medical trauma, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexism
faygof9's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement and Death of parent
chloereadds's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, Racism, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
anelya's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse and Grief
hannahelizza556's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-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
3.75
This was a lovely book. The author describes the secret garden in great detail. Th characters also become more likeable as the story progressed. The size of the writing in this book is quite hard to read and I struggled with some of the Yorkshire accent in this but otherwise it was a lovely book. I really liked the characters by the end, even Mary who is a self centred girl in the opening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Body shaming, Death, Drug use, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
boxalligators's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, and Racism
Moderate: Mental illness, Racial slurs, and Death of parent
laurenleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
I love getting to read the classics I missed as a kid. I certainly appreciate them now on a different level than I might have as a child! The Secret Garden was so sweet and heartwarming. It felt very soothing to listen to, and Carrie Hope Fletcher did a fantastic job with all the Yorkshire accents. I’d argue that healing is the main focus of this novel: recovering from past trauma, growing out of bad habits, and physical improvement too. Watching these characters heal especially through the wonder of nature was so sweet. There’s also a great focus on the power of words and thoughts, and how purposeful positive thinking can have a truly magical affect. I found a delightful illustrated edition with a map of the garden and the grounds of Misselthwaite Manor, and I can’t wait to gift it to a young cousin this Christmas!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Medical content and Death of parent