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Title details for The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - Wait list

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Johanna Ward
Audiobook
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Mary Lennox, a spoiled, ill-tempered, and unhealthy child, comes to live with her reclusive uncle in Misselthwaite Manor on the Yorkshire moors after the death of her parents. There she meets a hearty housekeeper and her spirited brother, a dour gardener, a cheerful robin, and her willful, hysterical, and sickly cousin, Master Colin, whose wails she hears echoing through the house at night. With the help of the robin, Mary finds the door to a secret garden, neglected and hidden for years. When she decides to restore the garden in secret, the story becomes a charming journey into the places of the heart, where faith restores health, flowers refresh the spirit, and the magic of the garden, coming to life anew, brings health to Colin; and to Mary, happiness.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    October 1, 2009

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781483088051
      • File size: 235725 KB
      • Duration: 08:11:05

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • Lexile® Measure: 970
    • Text Difficulty: 5-7

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      July 14, 2003
      Soothing and mellifluous, native Briton Bailey's voice proves an excellent instrument for polishing up a new edition of Burnett's story. Bratty and spoiled Mary Lennox is orphaned when her parents fall victim to a cholera outbreak in India. As a result, Mary becomes the ward of an uncle in England she has never met. As she hesitantly tries to carve a new life for herself at imposing and secluded Misselthwaite Manor, Mary befriends a high-spirited boy named Dickon and investigates a secret garden on the Manor grounds. She also discovers a sickly young cousin, Colin, who has been shut away in a hidden Manor room. Together Mary and Dickon help Colin blossom, and in the process Mary finds her identity and melts the heart of her emotionally distant uncle. Bailey makes fluid transitions between the voices and accents of various characters, from terse Mrs. Medlock and surly groundskeeper Ben to chipper housemaid Martha. And most enjoyably, she gives Mary a believably childlike voice. A brief biography of the author is included in an introduction. Ages 6-12.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      This timeless classic has been produced a number of times; the book offers a wonderful opportunity for a narrator, and Wanda McCaddon eagerly takes up its various challenges. McCaddon deftly handles the story's variety of accents, distinguishing between class and regional accents, including the broad Yorkshire spoken by Dicken. Though at times McCaddon doesn't distinguish as clearly between some characters' voices--her Colin and Mary sound quite alike in places--this has little ill effect. Because McCaddon is so engaged by the story and because Hodgson Burnett's characters are so distinct, they leave little room for confusion. The overall effort is very satisfying. This unabridged version is a great choice for family listening. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      This is the beloved story of Mary, the orphan from India; Colin, the invalid son of heartbroken Mr. Craven; and the once loved garden that brings each child to a newly awakened sense of self and the world. When Mary returns to her uncle's house in England, the bereaved and lonely child becomes more so until the household staff implore her to investigate the world outside. The lost key to Mrs. Craven's garden is unearthed, the house explored, and Colin befriended. In this abridgment, the overall sense is idyllic. The scenes that bear witness to the deeper changes in the two children and the haunting beauty of the story are not included. Nonetheless, the presentation is pleasing, with a British flavor to the narration and appropriate period music. Narration of title and tape number information would provide more ease in listening. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Joan Plowright--as the older Mary Lennox--narrates the Frances Hodgson Burnett classic about a spoiled orphan girl who finds hope and beauty on a Yorkshire estate. This full-cast drama is--if it's possible to apply the term to an audio program--spectacular. The use of music and sound not only conveys the mood but also gives a panoramic feel to the story. Top-notch performances by "FawltyTowers" Prunella Scales (as Mrs. Madlock) and Lily Milton, Thomas Orange, and Garrett Moore (as the children) make the garden and its surroundings come alive. Kudos go to engineer/producer Dave Arnold and director Philip Glassborow on a fine and memorable production. S.E.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      This perdurable children's classic has surely been read aloud 100,000 times by now, but never better than it is here by Carole Boyd. As you may remember, the Yorkshire accent of kind housemaid Martha and her brother, Dicken, becomes a synonym for natural simplicity, along with the beauty in the eponymous garden, which heals the two nearly ruined upper-class orphans, Mary and Colin. So the actor's ear for the dialect is essential. I'd forgotten (since childhood) how sentimental and Victorian the embedded message is here, but it didn't matter to this reader, and it won't to any children with the luck to be hearing the story for the first time in this excellent version. B.G. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      This beautifully produced children's classic is narrated by the talented Josephine Bailey, whose voice is musical and elegant. This story of two lonely children finding happiness through their mutual delight in tending a neglected garden includes much dialogue, and Bailey transitions seamlessly from one character's voice to another. She easily distinguishes petulant Mary from fretful cousin Colin and captures the nuances of their wide-ranging, passionate emotions. Bailey's rendition of Colin's tantrum and the cousins' reconciliation is breathtaking. Her good-hearted Dicken, with his broad Yorkshire accent, and gruff Ben Weatherstaff are equally excellent. There are numerous audiobook productions of this story, but Bailey's is surely one of the best. Her sensitive reading makes every minute of this unabridged version fly. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Claire Bloom reads this classic with a crisp, slightly British enunciation and dramatic passion. She doesn't strain accent or pitch to distinguish among the characters, but slides into them primarily through changes of pace. However, the age of the recording shows despite its having been named an ALA Notable Children's Recording. There's an audible hiss between words, and the actress's voice is slightly tinny from overmodulation. Also, the abridgment makes the story's transitions too abrupt. A newer, unabridged version would be a better choice than this reissue. D.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      THE SECRET GARDEN is a wonderfully symbolic story about children finding love and happiness through their mutual delight in the magic of nature and in each other. Much of the novel is dialogue spoken in the broad dialect of Yorkshire. American interpreter Klein is at a distinct disadvantage. Actually, this regional language is so dynamic that it becomes itself a force for character change in the novel. As the two upper-class children open up, their stiff, upper-class speech deliberately changes to that of the relaxed musical country Yorkshire. Klein tries to overcome her native speech patterns, but the result is unconvincing. Nonetheless, Klein's voice is pitched well for children and has a youthful feel. However, this recording is undercut by a recording system that muffles at normal volumes and distorts at higher ones. P.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      As three children replant a neglected garden at lonely Misselthwaite Manor on the Yorkshire moors, the secret garden restores their health and good spirits. This BBC dramatization of Burnett's classic story will lift your spirits, too. It's a smashing production--first-class all the way. The cast of characters--young and old alike--give polished performances. The incidental music and authentic sound effects help communicate the story's magic. The technical production is flawless. It makes no difference whether you've read THE SECRET GARDEN again and again or if this is your introduction to the story; you'll find this charming dramatization totally satisfying. C.R.A. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      THE SECRET GARDEN is a wonderfully symbolic story about children finding love and happiness through their mutual delight in the magic of nature and in each other. Much of the novel is dialogue spoken in the broad dialect of Yorkshire. Actually, this regional language is so dynamic that it becomes itself a force for character change in the novel. As the two upper-class children open up, their stiff, upper-class speech deliberately changes to that of the relaxed musical country Yorkshire. Fitzgerald "sings" the dialects convincingly. Her young people sound perfectly their age and are full of the emotional excesses of children. Susan Fitzgerald masterfully interprets the score of this lovely work, clebrates the melodious language of Yorkshire and projects living characters through her musical speech. P.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      The story of ten-year-old Mary Lennox whose parents and nanny die in India during an epidemic is familiar to many. Here it is retold in impeccable style by Royal Shakespeare Company Associate Juliet Stevenson. With clarity of voice, Stevenson creates the characters of sour Mary, warm-hearted Martha Sowerby and her brother Dickon, temperamental Colin, and the complete cast of Misselthwaite Manor. The style is consistent throughout. Highlights from the story are neatly woven into the narrative. The audio tale remains true to the book, especially expressing the essence of love-deprived, spoiled children. P.S.B. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Make room next to Burnett's novel and the popular film version for this fine audio performance. Carter initially plays Mary Lennox and her cousin, Colin Craven, as the ill-tempered, spoiled children they are. But as the cousins bond and take in the sustenance of the moor, Carter softens her tone to that of gleeful, healthy children. The listener shares the children's delight with the English countryside through the narrator's savory description of the setting and her earthy depiction of its rural inhabitants. Carter doesn't miss a beat in telling this story of triumph. M.P.T. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic tale of loneliness, loss and renewal at a Victorian mansion is brought to life in this wonderful full-cast production. The dramatization is performed by the St. Charles Players, whose members are listed, but details about the troupe and cast roles are omitted. This is unfortunate, since the narrator, who reads with the warm, lively quality of Angela Lansbury, deserves special kudos. The entire presentation is delightful for children and adults, being well scripted, tightly edited, nicely acted and expertly engineered. Music and audio effects add to the enjoyment of the program. S.E.S. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      THE SECRET GARDEN is a wonderfully symbolic story about children finding love and happiness through their mutual delight in the magic of nature and in each other. Much of the novel is dialogue spoken in the broad dialect of Yorkshire. American interpreter Gibson is at a distinct disadvantage. Actually, this regional language is so dynamic that it becomes itself a force for character change in the novel. As the two upper-class children open up, their stiff, upper-class speech deliberately changes to that of the relaxed musical country Yorkshire. Gibson is somewhat skilled at British dialects, but her children are too deep-voiced to be pleasing to the ear. The production does reflect the full high fidelity now expected in this medium. P.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      THE SECRET GARDEN is a wonderfully symbolic story about children finding love and happiness through their mutual delight in the magic of nature and in each other. Much of the novel is dialogue spoken in the broad dialect of Yorkshire. Actually, this regional language is so dynamic that it becomes itself a force for character change in the novel. As the two upper-class children open up, their stiff, upper-class speech deliberately changes to that of the relaxed musical country Yorkshire. The Irish Fitzgerald "sings" the dialects convincingly. Further, her young people sound perfectly their age and full of the excesses of children. Rather repetitive harp music opens and closes many of the scenes. Also, various canned sound effects, such as rain falling, sheep bleating and birds chirping are consistently present throughout the performance--most of them gratuitous and distracting. The production does refelect the full high fidelity now expected in this medium. P.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Narrator Alison Larkin expertly introduces this classic Yorkshire story to a new generation. At the turn of the twentieth century, friendship and the power of nature and gardening completely transform two lonely, difficult children into caring, thriving individuals. Larkin flawlessly portrays the personalities of the characters: sour Mary; the crotchety gardener, Ben; enchanting Dickon; ill-tempered Colin; and kindly Martha. Larkin is equally skilled at rendering the variety of necessary accents, ranging from upper-class British to Yorkshire. Listeners will clearly envision the wild beauty of the moors and the spookiness of Misselthwaite Manor--and will sense the magic of the secret garden and the children coming back to life. Larkin sensitively delivers the dialogue that touches on colonialist attitudes toward India. C.B.L. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Barbara Rosenblat, Michael Crouch, Georgia Lee Schultz, John Jarvis, and a full cast deliver an enchanting interpretation of Burnett's beloved children's story. After the death of her parents, spoiled, abrasive Mary is sent to live with her Uncle Archibald at Misselthwaite Manor in Yorkshire. With animated comments and apt characterizations, the cast of narrators describe how Mary discovers an abandoned secret garden and a host of unlikely friends, including plainspoken gardener Ben Weatherstaff, frail and demanding cousin Colin, and kind Dickon, who brings out the best in all living things. Engaging and well-placed sound effects--birdsong, pounding rain, footsteps on gravel--augment the production and create a full-bodied sense of place. This audiobook is a treasure and is sure to captivate listeners of all ages. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Playwright Jeanne Sakata's newly commissioned version of this beloved classic for L.A. Theatre Works is both well produced and thoughtful. It provides backstory for Mary Lennox before turning the dour child over to Archibald Craven, her remaining relative, after an outbreak of cholera takes her family in India. Mary, voiced by Alma Marian, moves from petulance to wonder as she slowly discovers what the Yorkshire moors offer her in terms of friends, family, and the wonders in the garden. This shift is ably reflected by other narrators, as well, notably Ian Ogilvy's Ben Weatherstaff, Jonathan Charles's Colin, and Adhir Kalyan's Archibald, all of whom are won over by the garden's magic. E.J.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:970
  • Text Difficulty:5-7

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