miszladyb19: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett-Review

Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Re-read this book on my road trip to Washington DC! Here is the goodreads description:

Mistress Mary is quite contrary until she helps her garden grow. Along the way, she manages to cure her sickly cousin Colin, who is every bit as imperious as she. These two are sullen little peas in a pod, closed up in a gloomy old manor on the Yorkshire moors of England, until a locked-up garden captures their imaginations and puts the blush of a wild rose in their cheeks; "It was the sweetest, most mysterious-looking place any one could imagine. The high walls which shut it in were covered with the leafless stems of roses which were so thick, that they matted together.... 'No wonder it is still,' Mary whispered. 'I am the first person who has spoken here for ten years.'" As new life sprouts from the earth, Mary and Colin's sour natures begin to sweeten. For anyone who has ever felt afraid to live and love, The Secret Garden's portrayal of reawakening spirits will thrill and rejuvenate. Frances Hodgson Burnett creates characters so strong and distinct, young readers continue to identify with them even 85 years after they were conceived.

I have been meaning to re-read this book for a LONG LONG time. My mother read this to me at night when I was a kid and I remember just loving it. It was so magical to me then. I still have my copy of it... looks like it was published in 1988. The copy I owe has fantastic illustrations too. Also.. inside my copy is one of my favorite items from my childhood... a 4 leaf clover!! I found it with my Grandma Rose (who is passed on now) and put it in this book. Funny thing is I had no idea how to press flowers and leaves back then so apparently I just stuck the clover in the book!