书评

It is a luminous tale of transformation, blending natural wonder with human resilience. Set in the desolate moors of Yorkshire, the novel follows Mary Lennox, a ten-year-old orphan sent to live with her reclusive uncle, Archibald Craven, after her parents die in India. Initially described as “sour-faced” and “disagreeable,” Mary’s journey from isolation to vitality mirrors the revival of a hidden, neglected garden—a potent symbol of rebirth and hope. The story begins with Mary’s arrival at Miselthwaite Manor, a gothic estate shrouded in mystery. Bored and lonely, she wanders the grounds until she discovers a locked garden, its door overgrown with ivy. The garden, once a sanctuary for her late aunt, has been abandoned for a decade following her tragic death. Driven by curiosity, Mary uncovers the key and begins restoring the space with Dickon Sowerby, a local boy with a “magic” touch for nature. Together, they discover Colin Craven, Mary’s wheelchair-bound cousin, hidden away due to his father’s belief that he is a “hunchback” doomed to die young. Mary and Dickon introduce Colin to the garden, where laughter, fresh air, and the thrill of growth awaken his body and spirit. Burnett’s narrative is a masterclass in symbolism. The garden, a microcosm of life’s cyclical renewal, becomes a character in itself. Roses, robins, and springtime blooms are not mere backdrops but catalysts for change. The characters’ emotional arcs are deeply intertwined. Mary, once a “little tyrant” who lashed out at servants, learns empathy through her bond with Dickon and Colin. Dickon’s kindness and connection to the earth teach her to value others, while Colin’s journey from self-pity to self-reliance mirrors her own growth. Even Archibald Craven, the grieving uncle, undergoes a transformation, returning from a European tour to find his children healed and his garden reborn. Critics often note the novel’s psychological depth. Burnett, influenced by the Victorian era’s interest in child development, portrays Mary and Colin as active agents in their own redemption. Their progress challenges societal notions of fragility, particularly for wealthy children, by emphasizing agency over victimhood. The garden’s restoration parallels their inner healing, demonstrating how environmental stewardship can mend broken spirits. In conclusion,The Secret Gardenremains a cornerstone of children’s literature, blending fantasy with realism to explore timeless truths. Burnett’s prose, described as “candy-scented” by theNew York Review of Books, invites readers to rediscover their own “secret gardens”—places of renewal where hope takes root. As Mary declares upon witnessing the garden’s first blooms, “It’s the nicest spot ever!” This sentiment, shared by generations, ensures the novel’s place in literary history.