A "Secret Garden" for Grownups

I don't know about everyone else, but I was a huge fan of the works of Francis Hodgson Burnett growing up. Ok, honestly, I still am. I read A Little Princess every year at Christmas. Well, every year except this one, that is. There is something so very appealing about her mixture of fantasy and reality, as if there is a bit of fairy tale in every little Victorian story. If you like this type of Victorian fairy tale style but are looking for something a little more adult, look no further.

Title: The Forgotten Garden
Author: Kate Morton
My start date: 12/7/10
My finish date: 12/21/10
Book count: 80

This gem came on the recommendation of my sister, Rachel, for which I must thank her. Morton writes an enchanting tale incredibly reminiscent of Hodgson Burnett's turn of the century works. In fact, Morton even writes the esteemed author into her own story and the story is rife with intertextual references to the famous The Secret Garden. The reader must be involved however. This story is long, around 550 pages, and told from three different perspectives at varying periods. One set of characters tells their story at the turn of the 20th century in Victorian England, another tells her's during the 70s between Australia and England, and a third story is told in 2005. This doesn't even include the prelude which introduces the story in 1913 and then the 30s. Whew! But no worries! This story is so fantastic that you are immediately drawn in and you can't help but want to keep turning the pages.

The plot is meant to be a mystery. Not that kind of mystery, though. We aren't taking murder, theft or the like here, but the reader must try to put together the pieces of the characters' past along with the characters as they are trying to learn it as well. I figured out the ending pretty early on. I wondered if perhaps that is just because I read for a living and am pretty hard to fool at this point, but my sister confirmed that she also knew the ending rather early on. However, that in absolutely no way detracted from the beautiful ride Morton takes you on to get there. Morton's imagery is beautiful and even if she was telling the most well-known story in the world, I have to believe it would be worth reading again and again.

One of the best aspects of this book is Morton's use of a multi-genre approach. In my teaching, I am beginning to explore genre theory as a way to teach writing to students who are bored with the "standard essay only" stance all too often used in schools. Morton's work is a lovely example of what can be done when genres are blended to create an image. While the vast majority of the story is told in standard narrative prose, she also includes full examples of other genres to paint her picture, such as full newspaper articles, encyclopedia or reference book entries, complete fairy tales, and so on. This brilliant diversity makes for a story that is significantly more well-rounded and paints a full picture, which straight narrative may not have been able to do. At the very least, it prevents the narrative portion from becoming boring. Well played in my opinion. If it was a little shorter, I would want to include it on a future required reading list!

Overall, one of the more enjoyable reads of the year. Hats of to you, Rae, for the rec. Keep 'em coming!

Keep reading!
Sarah

P.S. The versions of Hodson Burnett's classics which I have posted here are NOT my prefered versions. I adore the versions in which Graham Rust is the illustrator. They are incomparable in my opinion. However, they are increasingly difficult to find. I am going to have to start buying them up when I find them so that I don't ever find myself without copies, as, alas, I am without one at the moment for Secret Garden.

More P.S. I may not have had time to read A Little Princess this year, but my oh-so-thoughtful husband was sweet enough to give me a copy of the Shirley Temple movie version which I was delighted to watch instead. #myhusbandisthebest.