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mruks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Literally perfect retelling of The Secret Garden. I have no notes. Chef’s kiss.
nimeneth's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I think some of the conflict I feel about it is due to the fact that it just doesn't... Feel right compared with the original. The other books of the Remixed Classics series I've read have at least carried over some of the same feeling as the original tales they're based off, but this one turns the story into a Cinderella story mixed with a mystery and it just doesn't work for me.
I also didn't love the characters. Mary was alright, and I liked Flora, but the rest of the characters just felt a little shallow? Not sad I read this overall but I think I set my expectations wrong.
I also didn't love the characters. Mary was alright, and I liked Flora, but the rest of the characters just felt a little shallow? Not sad I read this overall but I think I set my expectations wrong.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death of parent and Confinement
jashanac's review against another edition
3.0
Summary:
A Secret Garden "remix" set in Canada with Metis characters and a sapphic romance. Mary Craven's parents die leaving her orphaned and she is sent to live at the country manor of her uncle she has never met.
Re-Readability:
I don't see myself re-reading this one. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't find any element captivating enough to want to experience it again.
Writing:
There were some lovely lines and I do enjoy Dimaline's overall authorial voice.
Characters:
I enjoyed the characters overall, but there was something kind of bugging me and I couldn't put my finger on it until toward the end... someone mentioned hearing rumors about Mary's terrible tantrums... and I realized that in this book, she never actually had any. We saw a few moments in the beginning of her being a bit surly or snotty, and stomping her feet... but very much NOT the Mary that we know from the original story.
I'm not even very familiar with the original book -- I've only read it once, in adulthood -- but the 90's movie was a childhood favorite of mine (and very closely matches the original book).
So then I realized that not only was Mary watered-down... but so was Olive (meant to be Colin, from the original). Due to this their "growth" in this story was not actually very obvious and also any mention of it felt unearned.
Plot:
Another thing I felt was lacking a bit, was the actual garden itself. There wasn't enough description of it to set the magical atmosphere like there definitely was in the movie, and also was in the original book. I didn't feel the magic of the secret garden much at all, and I missed that.
The pacing also was a bit off for me -- the final few chapters felt very rushed and the reunion between Olive & her father was SO abridged that it was a bit odd to me. It felt awkward & stilted.
I do like the addition of more of a conversation happening around a minority group in this reimagining -- that is definitely an element of the original book that was very much "of its time" -- the racism on the page without much said about it. Having the servants of the house be Metis and therefore Mary having more interactions with them meant we got a deeper conversation in that regard and got to actually see some of their experience from their perspectives.
Themes:
Human need for companionship. Friendship. Found family. Bravery. Love. Colonization.
A Secret Garden "remix" set in Canada with Metis characters and a sapphic romance. Mary Craven's parents die leaving her orphaned and she is sent to live at the country manor of her uncle she has never met.
Re-Readability:
I don't see myself re-reading this one. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't find any element captivating enough to want to experience it again.
Writing:
There were some lovely lines and I do enjoy Dimaline's overall authorial voice.
Characters:
I enjoyed the characters overall, but there was something kind of bugging me and I couldn't put my finger on it until toward the end... someone mentioned hearing rumors about Mary's terrible tantrums... and I realized that in this book, she never actually had any. We saw a few moments in the beginning of her being a bit surly or snotty, and stomping her feet... but very much NOT the Mary that we know from the original story.
I'm not even very familiar with the original book -- I've only read it once, in adulthood -- but the 90's movie was a childhood favorite of mine (and very closely matches the original book).
So then I realized that not only was Mary watered-down... but so was Olive (meant to be Colin, from the original). Due to this their "growth" in this story was not actually very obvious and also any mention of it felt unearned.
Plot:
Another thing I felt was lacking a bit, was the actual garden itself. There wasn't enough description of it to set the magical atmosphere like there definitely was in the movie, and also was in the original book. I didn't feel the magic of the secret garden much at all, and I missed that.
The pacing also was a bit off for me -- the final few chapters felt very rushed and the reunion between Olive & her father was SO abridged that it was a bit odd to me. It felt awkward & stilted.
I do like the addition of more of a conversation happening around a minority group in this reimagining -- that is definitely an element of the original book that was very much "of its time" -- the racism on the page without much said about it. Having the servants of the house be Metis and therefore Mary having more interactions with them meant we got a deeper conversation in that regard and got to actually see some of their experience from their perspectives.
Themes:
Human need for companionship. Friendship. Found family. Bravery. Love. Colonization.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Child abuse
There's an element of a parental figure purposely keeping a child "sick" and confined.k_gregz's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wanted to like this, but, alas.
morj's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
toadfairy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
(I listened to the audiobook)
I've never read The Secret Garden, so I don't have anything to compare this too, but I loved this book. I'm not usually one for YA but this was a beautifully written feminist masterpiece showcasing queer & indigenous joy, healthy (found) family dynamics, and personal growth.
It was a bonus that the places referenced were ones I recognized, and I could clearly picture the whimsical settings described.
Highly recommend.
I've never read The Secret Garden, so I don't have anything to compare this too, but I loved this book. I'm not usually one for YA but this was a beautifully written feminist masterpiece showcasing queer & indigenous joy, healthy (found) family dynamics, and personal growth.
It was a bonus that the places referenced were ones I recognized, and I could clearly picture the whimsical settings described.
Highly recommend.
katnortonwriter's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
finnthehuman217's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was a great example of how to do retellings!! It’s diverse, queer, and has a lot of interesting elements that were not in the source material! I especially liked the integration of indigenous French-Canadian culture of Metís. It is so beautiful!
darthchrista's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A wonderful Secret Garden Remix! Loved the step mother angle and Mary using her voice to stand for right.
alt_air's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0