What Criticisms Appear In The Book Review Of The Secret Garden?

2026-07-27 20:19:22
51
Share
ABO Personality Quiz
Take a quick quiz to find out whether you‘re Alpha, Beta, or Omega.
Scent
Personality
Ideal Love Pattern
Secret Desire
Your Dark Side
Start Test

4 Answers

Mason
Mason
Reply Helper Firefighter
Yeah, the racism is the big one for me. Those early chapters are rough. I also see people saying the dialect for the Yorkshire characters is annoying or hard to read, pulling them out of the story. And the ending is super rushed—Archibald Craven's turnaround happens in like, two paragraphs. Felt unearned.
2026-07-28 22:20:22
3
Sawyer
Sawyer
Helpful Reader Lawyer
I've read through a good chunk of the reviews for 'The Secret Garden' over the years, and the recurring criticisms are pretty specific, even for a classic. A major one is the dated portrayal of colonialism and race, especially with the character of Mary's Ayah and the initial depictions of Indian people. It makes modern readers, myself included, really uncomfortable; it's a product of its time that hasn't aged well at all.

Another common complaint is Mary Lennox herself. Lots of folks find her unbearably sour and unlikeable for a surprisingly long stretch. I see their point, but I also think that's kind of the whole journey? The book is blunt about her being a nasty piece of work initially. The pace gets flak too—some readers bounce off the slow, descriptive build-up before they ever get to the garden's magic or Colin's transformation. They call it boring, which feels harsh, but I get wanting things to move faster.

And then there's the ending. It gets labeled as overly simplistic or sentimental, with the whole 'magic is positive thinking' idea feeling a bit pat. Critics argue that Colin's miraculous recovery and the father's sudden emotional return wrap things up too neatly, avoiding deeper emotional mess. I still love the book, but I can't dismiss those readings; they're valid parts of the conversation around it.
2026-07-30 07:52:33
4
Noah
Noah
Twist Chaser Firefighter
Honestly, the biggest criticism I have is how it handles class. Look at Martha and Dickon—they're basically magical peasant stereotypes, perpetually cheerful servants who exist to heal the spoiled rich kids. The narrative never questions that social order. It's all about the upper-class children being 'restored' through nature and the wisdom of the working class, but those working-class characters don't get their own arcs or complexities. It leaves a weird taste, like the story uses them as tools. I also think Burnett lays on the moralizing a bit thick with the 'thoughts are things' philosophy; it can come across as preachy instead of organic.
2026-07-30 10:50:30
3
Emma
Emma
Careful Explainer Veterinarian
Some reviews point out a lack of genuine conflict in the latter half. Once Mary discovers the garden, the story becomes a straightforward, almost frictionless progression toward health and happiness. The antagonists—Mrs. Medlock, the head gardener—are barely obstacles, and Dr. Craven is more of a vague, absent figure than a real threat. This makes the plot feel less driven by tension and more by a predetermined, feel-good formula. The character development, while charming, is seen by some as superficial: Mary and Colin are 'cured' primarily by fresh air and gardening, which can oversimplify the psychological effects of their profound neglect and isolation. It's a comforting narrative, but perhaps too clean for its own emotional weight.
2026-08-02 09:43:45
4
View All Answers
Scan code to download App

Related Books

Related Questions

What do readers say in the book review of The Secret Garden?

4 Answers2026-07-27 08:39:00
Most readers I’ve seen talk about the way 'The Secret Garden' sneaks up on you. It’s not a flashy book at first glance, just kids and a garden. But the transformation of Mary and Colin, that gradual shift from sour, selfish children to something brighter, it genuinely resonates. People mention reading it as a kid and only seeing the magic, then reading it as an adult and getting choked up over the themes of healing and neglect. The reviews often highlight Archibald Craven’s grief as a surprisingly heavy element for a children’s classic. That contrast between the bleak moor and the bursting life inside the wall is what everyone seems to latch onto. There’s a fair bit of discussion about Dickon, too. Some readers find him almost too perfect, a bit of a nature spirit without flaws, while others argue that’s exactly the point—he represents the untamed, wholesome force that the others need. I think the most consistent praise is for how the book makes you feel the weather and the growing things. You finish it wanting to go outside and dig in the dirt, which is a pretty special effect for a story.

Which themes are most praised in the book review of The Secret Garden?

4 Answers2026-07-27 00:41:41
The restorative power of nature is the obvious big one. You see it in practically every review—readers talk about how the garden's transformation parallels the children's emotional healing. But I think the book's quieter theme about the value of practical, physical work gets overlooked. It’s not just about looking at pretty flowers; it’s Mary and Dickon and Colin getting their hands dirty, the deliberate labor that rebuilds their connection to the world and themselves. That’s a pretty radical idea for a children’s story from that era. Another angle that comes up a lot is the theme of secrecy and discovery. The locked door, the buried key, the hidden garden—it taps into that universal childhood fantasy of finding a world that’s entirely your own. Reviews often mention how that sense of gradual unveiling makes the garden feel earned and magical, not just handed to them.

How does the book review of The Secret Garden describe Mary Lennox’s growth?

4 Answers2026-07-27 15:06:31
Reviews I've come across tend to focus on that physical and psychological parallel, the locked garden mirroring Mary's own heart. They talk about how her initial sourness—always described as 'contrary' and sickly—starts to soften not through some grand lecture, but through getting her hands dirty. Literally. The act of tending to something, of keeping a secret and nurturing it, awakens a capacity for care she never knew she had. One angle I find more interesting than the usual 'she became nice' summary is how the reviews highlight her agency. She arrives as a passive, disagreeable burden. The growth is shown through her becoming an instigator, the one who seeks out the key, who recruits Dickon and Colin into her project. She doesn't just become happier; she becomes a leader, however small-scale. The reviews that stick with me point out that her growth isn't linear, either. She still has flashes of her old temper, which makes the change feel earned, not magical. Ultimately, most discussions conclude that her growth is tied to discovering a sense of purpose and connection, first to a place, then to living things, and finally to other people. It’s a quiet, steady blooming, much like the roses in the garden.

Is The Secret Garden novel suitable for children?

4 Answers2025-11-11 14:28:57
I grew up reading 'The Secret Garden' and it’s one of those books that feels like a warm hug every time I revisit it. The story’s magic lies in how it balances simplicity with depth—kids can enjoy the adventure of Mary Lennox uncovering the hidden garden, while adults might appreciate the themes of healing and renewal. The language is accessible but never condescending, and the pacing keeps younger readers engaged without overwhelming them. That said, some old-fashioned attitudes (like colonial perspectives) might need explaining if you’re reading aloud. But the core message—about nature’s power to transform loneliness into connection—is timeless. My niece adored the scenes with Dickon and the robin; she still plants 'magic seeds' in our backyard because of it.
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status