This book, like some other famous children's books, is pushing a philosophy while telling a story - Theosophy in this case. As the philosophy of thinking positive works well in the story, it does the book no harm and does it some good.
Many women report this book struck them greatly as children. I read The Little Princess first when young, and still like it best, but can still read this book only skipping a few bits. And more parents should read it for its sensible comments on child rearing and child ruining. Not many adults come out of this book all that well. The exceptions are Mr Crawford, for his comment that if Mary's mother had carried her pretty manners into the nursery, Mary might have learned them; and the wise Susan Sowerby, mother of twelve cheerful children, who remarks she doesn't know which is worse for children, to be always given their own way or never given it.
Colin and Mary have been neglected and always given their own way to shut them up, but manage to save each other with the help of the garden - well Mary does more saving then Colin! And because Mrs Sowerby's advice is followed by other characters.
The best comment I ever read about Burnett's books said that Cedric in Little Lord Fauntleroy effortlessly was a hero, Sara in A Little Princess shows herself a heroine by how she reacts to losing everything, but Mary turns herself into a heroine by her own efforts.
Many women report this book struck them greatly as children. I read The Little Princess first when young, and still like it best, but can still read this book only skipping a few bits. And more parents should read it for its sensible comments on child rearing and child ruining. Not many adults come out of this book all that well. The exceptions are Mr Crawford, for his comment that if Mary's mother had carried her pretty manners into the nursery, Mary might have learned them; and the wise Susan Sowerby, mother of twelve cheerful children, who remarks she doesn't know which is worse for children, to be always given their own way or never given it.
Colin and Mary have been neglected and always given their own way to shut them up, but manage to save each other with the help of the garden - well Mary does more saving then Colin! And because Mrs Sowerby's advice is followed by other characters.
The best comment I ever read about Burnett's books said that Cedric in Little Lord Fauntleroy effortlessly was a hero, Sara in A Little Princess shows herself a heroine by how she reacts to losing everything, but Mary turns herself into a heroine by her own efforts.
The Secret Garden first published 1911
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