The Secret Garden

By: Frances Hodgson Burnett

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Mary, unloved and selfish, finds friendship and happiness helping her neurotic, invalid cousin become strong and healthy. Nature's powerful magic touches both children as they toil to revive their secret garden. The story alludes to some very modern themes including the ability of mental beliefs to create health, the strength of group optimism, and the restorative power of nature.

Public Domain (P)1997 by The Audio Partners Publishing Corp.

Critic reviews

"A blend of power, beauty, vivid interest and honest goodness. Yes, if this is magic, it is good magic." (The New York Times)

Beautiful story

If you could sum up The Secret Garden in three words, what would they be?

Beautiful story about friendship and love of nature that the enthusiastic optimism comes not to spoil.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

No, the quality of interpretation varies widely.

Wonderful in every way

A classic story very well told. No matter how many times I read or listen to this story the Magic always grabs me and makes it Almost impossible to stop listening! Engrossing and enchanting from beginning to end.

Amazing narrator, beautiful story

This is one of my favorite books - the story itself doesn't really need much review, it's a classic! Beautiful, uplifting story that makes you appreciate life more.

The narrator for this book is AWESOME. She is one of the best narrators I've heard so far. All of her individual voices were really well done, and her different accents were amazing. She's the kind of narrator that makes you forget that it's just one person doing all the voices. And, I really appreciate that her voice isn't shrill or nasally at all. Unfortunately that's a problem for many female narrators, and I love that her voice is so pleasant. Will definitely be looking for more books narrated by her!

It was a wonderful story

I liked everything especially the part when Mary found The secret Garden and when she found the key

Problems with sound recording

Like this reader very much and the story is a classic that everyone should know. There are problems with the recording quality, however. I wonder if these could be attended to by audible?

5 stars for this version of

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I think that the narrator does a really good job. It was nice listening to this story that mostly took place in England, read by a woman with an English accent. The narrator did a notably great job with the accents that Dicken and Martha had. I felt like the narrator was like a grandmother reading to me. I greatly recommend this audio verson of "The Secret Garden"!

Wekl read old fashioned story

This unabridged version is quite delightful. I heard the abridged version read by Helena Bonham Carter but it was too short, too much was missing. This version is complete, and very well read. Unfortunately the sound is inconsistent, often too quiet at the beginnings of chapters, but aside from that I heartily enjoyed it!

cute story

Even though this is a kids book I really enjoyed it. Cute little story, great narrator and nice change from serious books.

Beautiful story for all ages

A wonderful beautifully written story of childhood magic and the beauty of friendship. My 7 year old fell in love with it and I, a new love. Worth the credit and time it took to share it with her.

A favorite story

This is one of my favorite classic tales. A story of a how a person can grow and change, with the strength of love behind them. The joys of childhood imagination, freedoms and fresh air, of keeping secrets.

The narrator of this story brought the world of the secret garden to life, a place you could see in your mind as you listened, a place you could go to in your imagination if you closed your eyes. She brought back the childhood joys the book speaks too.