The Secret Garden by Frances Hodges Burnett

If you are going to read (or re-read) this book, might I recommend April as the perfect month to read it in? I didn't even think about the appropriateness of the season when I started it, but it was so fitting to read about the bare, empty branches and the cold, rainy weather giving way to tiny, green shoots and new life and brilliantly colored flowers. It made me enjoy our own spring that much more.

I was so impressed this time around with the transformation of Mary's character. Frances Hodgson Burnett made it so believable. Even though Mary grows kinder and less selfish and happier, she never loses her personality. She still has that stubborn streak and can get fired up in a second. Mary's change is so gradual and subtle, and in the end you really do like her, but she is still Mary.

Speaking of Mary, the ending was a bit disappointing for me. The whole book is about her, but she takes a back seat in the last chapter, and Colin gets the final word, which didn't seem quite fair.

I wrote this review before creating this blog.