Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel The Secret Garden is both intriguing and uplifting. It is regarded as one of the best children’s books written in the...

Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel The Secret Garden is both intriguing and uplifting. It is regarded as one of the best children’s books written in the twentieth century.

Mary Lennox, a sickly ten-year-old girl, is adrift in the world after both her mother and father die. She is sent to Yorkshire to live with an uncle whom she has never met, at his isolated house, Misselthwaite Manor. Initially, Mary is seen as a rude, aggressive, and selfish child. She dislikes her new home and the people living in it. But now the scene is set for her transformation and the introduction of the author’s engaging themes of rejuvenation and renewal.

While exploring the grounds, Mary finds the key to the locked garden, which is neglected and overrun with weeds. She sets her mind to bringing it back to life. In doing so, Mary finds a purpose and excitement in her lonely existence. However, apart from the garden, there are other secrets to be revealed at Misselthwaite Manor, such as the strange cries in the night and the identity of Colin, a disabled boy whom she discovers in a hidden bedroom.

The popularity of this novel bears witness to its universal appeal and its timeless hold on the imagination.