Quick verdict
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, published in 1911, is a gentle, hopeful children’s classic about a lonely girl who finds a neglected garden and a new sense of purpose. It is warm and easy to read, with a strong sense of place and a cast of memorable children. It also contains some dated attitudes that are worth being aware of. Overall, it remains a good read for children and for adults who enjoy comfort-reading classics.
Plot summary
After being orphaned in India, a sour, neglected ten-year-old girl, Mary Lennox, is sent to live with her uncle at Misselthwaite Manor in Yorkshire. The house is large and quiet, and she is left mostly to herself. She learns of a garden that has been locked up for years, and she begins to explore the grounds with help from a local boy and the household staff. As she works on the garden, she also discovers other secrets inside the house. The story follows how time outdoors changes the children, and how the people around them are affected as well.
This summary leaves out the later developments to avoid spoilers.
Main characters
- Mary Lennox: begins as disagreeable and self-centred, then slowly changes.
- Dickon: a countryside boy at ease with animals and plants.
- Colin: another child in the house whose story is closely tied to Mary’s.
- Mr Craven: Mary’s uncle, who is distant and burdened by grief.
- Martha and other staff: local voices that bring humour and warmth.
What is the point of The Secret Garden?
The book is often read as a story about healing, but a few separate ideas run through it.
- Nature and recovery: fresh air, activity and caring for living things help the characters change.
- Neglect and attention: several characters suffer from being ignored, and the book suggests care and companionship make a difference.
- Self-reliance in children: the children take action themselves, rather than waiting for adults to fix their problems. A critic reviewing a stage musical once argued that adaptations sometimes shift the focus to the adults, which loses this emphasis.
- Mood and thought: the book places a lot of faith in positive thinking, which may feel simplistic to modern readers but is part of its period’s outlook.
Writing style and dialect
Burnett writes in a clear, storytelling voice. Dialogue for the Yorkshire characters is rendered in dialect, which can be charming but may slow some readers down. Several readers recommend listening to an audiobook version to get a feel for the rhythm. Read aloud, the dialect often becomes easier to follow.
Dated attitudes to be aware of
Some reader reviews point out that the book includes racist opinions, particularly in the early chapters set in India, and that these are not challenged later. They are voiced through a child shaped by her surroundings, but they are still present. This is worth discussing with younger readers, and it is a valid point for any review essay. It does not necessarily make the book unreadable, but a good introduction or a conversation with a teacher or parent can provide context.
Is it a good read?
For most readers it is. It suits:
- children who enjoy gentle, character-driven stories
- adults who like nostalgic comfort reading
- families reading aloud together
It may be less satisfying for readers who want fast action or a darker tone. If you prefer something more intense, you may like our Jane Eyre book review essay, which looks at another classic involving an orphaned heroine and a large, secretive house.
How long is it?
The length varies by edition. Many paperbacks are roughly 250 to 350 pages, while illustrated or annotated editions can differ. Chapters are short, which makes it suitable for reading aloud a chapter at a time, as in our list of family book series to read together.
Adaptations
The story has been adapted for film, television and stage several times. Adaptations tend to differ in how much emphasis they put on the children versus the adults. If you are writing about the book, make sure your points come from the novel itself rather than a screen version.
Writing a Secret Garden review essay
- Start with an overall opinion in one or two sentences.
- Summarise the plot briefly, without giving away the ending.
- Pick one or two themes, such as nature and healing, and support them with specific scenes.
- Discuss the writing, including the dialect and the narrator’s voice.
- Note limitations, such as dated attitudes or an idealised view of recovery.
- Finish with a recommendation for a particular audience.
If you want to see a review that tackles a darker book, our Wuthering Heights book review offers a useful contrast.
Final verdict
The Secret Garden is a warm and absorbing story, held back slightly by period attitudes and an optimistic approach to personal change. Its appeal lies in Mary’s transformation, the sense of place and the friendships at its centre. I would recommend it for young readers and for adults who want a comforting classic, with a note about the dated passages.
FAQ
Can you summarize the plot of The Secret Garden?
An orphaned girl moves to a large house in Yorkshire, discovers a locked garden, and with the help of other children begins to bring it back to life while also changing herself.
Is The Secret Garden a good read?
Many readers say yes, especially for its warmth and setting, though some note the dated attitudes.
How many pages are in The Secret Garden?
It depends on the edition, but many paperbacks run roughly 250 to 350 pages.
What is the point of The Secret Garden?
It explores healing through nature, care and companionship, and the idea that children can shape their own growth.