7/18/2011

The Secret Garden


I have a tendency, when life feels stressful or out of control, to return to books I know and love. Right now that book is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I remember the first time I heard about this book. I was in the sixth grade. A friend told me about it. Her mother had recommended it to her. I think it was the first “classic” piece of literature I’d ever read, though I didn’t know it at the time. I only knew that Mary and Dickon and Colin and Martha captured my imagination—and probably fueled my love for all things British!

Years have passed since I’ve read through the book, though I can’t count the number of times I lived in its pages growing up. It was the first book I bought for my daughter—the hardcover version with the Tasha Tudor illustrations, as a present on her first Christmas. She was nine months old. She’s twenty now and I don’t think she’s read it yet! Sigh. But it’s still there. Waiting. For her—or for my future granddaughters. Doesn’t matter which. I’ll just enjoy sharing the story and hoping one comes to love it as much as I do.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I have the same tendency - to revisit books or films that are "old friends" when life feels stressful or overwhelming. And The Secret Garden perfectly fits that criteria! Such a classic!

Debra E. Marvin said...

I love this book as well. I've never seen the movie based on it. Any thoughts?

Anne Mateer said...

Deb--there are several movie versions. I remember seeing the 1994 version when it came out and I remember enjoying it, but I don't think I've seen any of the others. If you find a movie version you enjoy, please let me know.

Ruth is a movie aficionado, so maybe she'll weigh in on this question, too!

Heather said...

Can you believe I've never read this book? I know.

Anne Mateer said...

Say it ain't so, Heather! I guess you'd better find a copy. :)

Jazmine Melissa said...

I do the same. I love to revisit old books that I haven't read for a while. You always learn something new reading a book many times over...

Sorry to say, I've never read that book either! But I did see the musical! [;

Anne Mateer said...

I saw the musical a long time ago, Jazmine! I remember liking it. But you really need to read the book!

I agree about learning something new each time you read a book. I think part of it is just being at a different stage of life each time.