This is a Children's classic book. I love the story. This review is hard to write because I love the story, the characters in this book, and the plot of this book, but I did not love the audiobook. The narrator of the audiobook was good, but my big problem with this audiobook is all the sound effects and music in the audiobook. There is times in the audiobook you cannot hear the narrator because of the music or sound effects. I think the audiobook could be so much better without the music all together and less sound effects (or the sound effects be lower). I was kindly provided an e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (Harper Audio) or author (Frances Hodgson Burnett) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Such a beautiful audiobook production. The Secret Garden has been my favorite story since I was about five years old. It always makes me cry and I will never ever get tired of it. Glenda Jackson gives new life and breath to this stunning story, and the music and sound effects made it a very theatrical listening experience and even more beautiful than just listening to the story itself. A welcome and very comforting. reread

When this book, originally published in book form in 1911, came up for an audiobook review on NetGalley I jumped at it. This has been a story that I have always wanted to read, but just like a lot of classics, finding time to get to certain books is not always easy. This remarkable story celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011, and it truly has stood the test of time. Flawlessly narrated by Oscar winner Glenda Jackson, with music, along with animal and wind sounds, I was transported into the beautiful garden.

Not only did I thoroughly enjoy this story in audio format, but I had a chance to learn about the book itself and how it transformed from a serial in a magazine then to book format. I find that to be very impressive as well as fortuitous because of the millions of people that have had the opportunity to read it over the years. Although this is the very first time I have read this, I am sure that this story has entered many a home in one format or another. Having the privilege to listen to it was truly a blessing.

The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary who lost both of her parents while in India and has returned to England. She was not a happy child by any means, and when she arrives at her uncle's home, her happiness only grows worse. What is more is that she is not a nice little girl. Selfish, angry and stubborn are just a few words to describe Mary. Things begin to change for her when she discovers a walled garden - and at this point in the audiobook there is pleasant music and birds singing - so I felt as if I were entering the garden with Mary. Simply put, magic happens. It takes place over time, but Mary begins to change.

I completely adored this story. Although it is around 300 pages, the audiobook flew by. I will definitely give this book another listen as the story was truly captivating. This audiobook would be a great bedtime story for children - maybe in three or so sessions.

I have never seen any iteration of this book before now, but as the blurb states, it has been adapted in several formats, as well as translated into several languages. As I have always wanted to make time to read more classics, it is wonderful that I got the opportunity to listen to this book due to NetGalley's relatively new audiobook review program.

Many thanks to Harper Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

The Secret Garden is one of my favourite classic novels.

I know this story well. The story about young Mary who seems somewhat neglected by her parents ends up having to move to her Uncle's in England is a spoiled, rude girl when she first arrives. But then she finds a locked garden that has been neglected for many years.

The garden opens up Mary's heart, and as the garden transforms so does Mary and the people around her.

I was excited when NetGalley had this classic in audio as I thought it would be nostalgic to listen to, almost as if someone would read a book, I loved as a child, to the child still inside me. The audio is read by Glenda Jackson and she did a great job narrating. I will say that the English accent was a plus for me.

What bugged me a little bit, was the sound effects and music that sometimes played in the background. I'm sure that the intention was to add to the magical and enchanting story, but for me it was very distracting. For me, it took away from the story and didn't allow me to use my own imagination to create the story in my mind.

Of course, the story gets full stars for me and the narrator is good, because the audio let me down just a bit, I will be giving it 4 stars.

5 star book. 4.5 star audiobook.

The Secret Garden is one of my favorite classics! I read it as a kid and I still love it to this day. I was excited to try it out in audiobook format, as I’ve only ever read it. Though it’s not my favorite narration, I still really enjoy it & listening to it took me back to my childhood. Ultimately, it’s a great way to enjoy this timeless classic - regardless of it’s your first or third time experiencing it.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Audio for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett follows Mary Lennox, a young English girl who returns to England from India, having suffered the immense trauma by losing both her parents in a cholera epidemic. However, her memories of her parents are not pleasant, as they were a selfish, neglectful and pleasure-seeking couple. Mary is given to the care of her uncle Archibald Craven, whom she has never met. She travels to his home, Misselthwaite Manor located in the gloomy Yorkshire, a vast change from the sunny and warm climate she was used to. When she arrives, she is a rude, stubborn and given to stormy temper tantrums. However, her nature undergoes a gradual transformation when she learns of the tragedies that have befallen her strict and disciplinarian uncle whom she earlier feared and despised. Once when he's away from home, Mary discovers a charming walled garden which is always kept locked. The mystery deepens when she hears sounds of sobbing from somewhere within her uncle's vast mansion. The kindly servants ignore her queries or pretend they haven't heard, spiking Mary's curiosity.

The Secret Garden is a classic for a good reason. Not only a fun read for children, but a meaningful one for adults. Every time I read this books, I discover new factoids about life and myself. The audiobook narrated by Glenda Jackson is a great way to engage in this timeless classic. I highly recommend this audiobook!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

THE SECRET GARDEN is one of my favorite books, so I jumped to try this new audio narration. Unfortunately, I had a really hard time connecting to the narrator's voice. It was a bit nasally and I didn't love her voices for masculine characters.