Frances Hodgson Burnett The Secret Garden: a 1911 novel & classic of English children's

The Secret Gardenis a novel byFrances Hodgson Burnettfirst published in book form in 1911, after serialization inThe American Magazine(November 1910 August 1911). Set in England, it is one of Burnetts most popular novels and seen as a classic of English childrens literature. Several stage and film adaptations have been made. The American edition was published by the Frederick A. Stokes Company with illustrations by Maria Louise Kirk (signed as M. L. Kirk), and the British edition byHeinemannwith illustrations byCharles Heath Robinson. At the turn of the20th century, Mary Lennox is a sickly, neglected, unloved 10yearold girl, born inIndiato wealthyBritish parentswho never wanted her and made an effort to ignore the girl. She is cared for primarily by native servants, who allow her to become spoiled, aggressive and selfcentred. After acholeraepidemic kills Marys parents and the few surviving servants flee the house, Mary awakes to find herself alone. She is discovered by British soldiers who place her in the care of an English clergyman, whose children taunt her by calling her "Mistress Mary, quite contrary". However, this is only temporary she is soon sent to England, to live with her wealthy hunchbacked uncle Archibald Craven (whom she has never met) at his isolated mansion Misselthwaite Manor on theYorkshire Moors. At first, Mary is exceedingly obnoxious and shorttempered. She dislikes her new home, the people living in it, and most of all, the bleak moor on which it sits.... | Frances Hodgson Burnett The Secret Garden: a 1911 novel & classic of English children's