Alison Larkin Presents

The Secret Garden

By: Frances Hodgson Burnett

Narrated by: Alison Larkin

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

The award-winning narrator of Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass brings the beloved classic The Secret Garden to sparkling new life in this delightful, highly accessible production.

When her parents die from cholera in India, orphan Mary Lennox is sent to live with her uncle in a cold, dark mansion in England. Then she discovers a secret garden that has been locked since her Aunt died 10 years earlier....

Exclusively for Audible, this recording is followed by the short story Editha's Burglar by Frances Hodgson Burnett about a young girl's highly unusual encounter with a burglar in her house.

"A novel rich in imagination, detail, and surprises requires a narrator who can embrace every element of the story - Alison Larkin is that narrator." (AudioFile magazine)

Public Domain (P)2020 Alison Larkin Presents

Critic reviews

Narrator Alison Larkin expertly introduces this classic Yorkshire story to a new generation. At the turn of the 20th century, friendship and the power of nature and gardening completely transform two lonely, difficult children into caring, thriving individuals. Larkin flawlessly portrays the personalities of the characters: sour Mary; the crotchety gardener, Ben; enchanting Dickon; ill-tempered Colin; and kindly Martha. Larkin is equally skilled at rendering the variety of necessary accents, ranging from upper-class British to Yorkshire. Listeners will clearly envision the wild beauty of the moors and the spookiness of Misselthwaite Manor - and will sense the magic of the secret garden and the children coming back to life. Larkin sensitively delivers the dialogue that touches on colonialist attitudes toward India. C.B.L. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award ©AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

A match made in heaven!

When you get a wonderful narrator who is just right for the story she is narrating, well that's when the magic happens. Alison Larkin's narration of this great classic novel really is pitch perfect, contemporary and so easy to hear. The story of Mary Lenox is one of hope and renewal - and it's so interesting! Mary is not a very likeable orphan at the beginning of the book and yet we grow to love her as she comes to connect with the people around her and discover that life begins when you connect with nature and other people.

Alison Larkin's narration is light and deep at the same time. The accents are perfect and easy to understand, We listened to this on a long car journey between New York and Boston and loved every minute of it. I read this book when I was a little girl and was struck by how powerful a story it still is. What a delightful production. Bravo!

A beautiful book beautifully read...:)

'The Secret Garden' is one of my childhood's favourite books - I can't really count the times I read it when I was a kid... The tale of the power of faith - not in God necessarily cause children do not usually understand the concept at all (I know I didn't...) - but in the power of good thoughts and love which help cure not only the body, but more importantly and essentially the soul, had an enormous influence on my personality... But until now I have only known the book in my native Polish.
So it was a real joy not only to finally listen to it in its original version but also in such a wonderful interpretation. Ms Larkin has a voice perfect for the tale - warm, sincere, ringing with that simplicity and cruel honesty only children are capable of...:) All the characters shine in her interpretation, all are memorable and live...

'The Secret Garden', a jewel in itself, shines even brighter in Ms Larkin's beautiful interpretation...:) You really can't miss it!

DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A story I enjoy

This is the second rendition of this book I’ve read/listened to. It is a story I quite enjoy.

This is the fifth book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Alison Larking ) and she does a great job once again. Her accent is pleasant, her cadence comfortable, and expression appropriate. She uses different character voices and does both male and female well.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

A wonderful story, perfectly told

What a delightful rendition of this enchanting story. The Secret Garden gives us a terrific collection of characters and Alison inhabits all of them deftly and with great charm. From the cranky, old gardener Weatherstaff to the sour, 10-year old Mary Lennox, Alison’s narration makes them all come alive. You can even hear Mary’s transformation into a sprightly, capable girl in the growing lilt of Alison’s voice.

This has always been a special story for young girls and gardeners, and this version will bring great joy to both groups. But in this time of CORONA-19, we could all use a respite from the stresses and worries that envelope our world, and this beautiful recording provides exactly that. What a perfect moment to dive deep into this classic, enjoy Alison’s narration, and explore its message of hope, renewal, and connection to each other and the world around us. Even though we may be stuck inside our homes, this audiobook will open our doors and whisk us away to a secret garden we can all enjoy.

Classic story read by great narrator

In this time of coronavirus pandemic,this is great way to enhance your knowledge and did thing you always want to.
Alison larkin did great job by narrating this timeless classic.
I was given this free preview copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Timeless Treasure

I read this book many years ago as a child and being able to listen to it again with a narrator the perfectly fit the part was very refreshing!!!! Thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish once again!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Wonderful voice with great expression!

I have started listening to the samples of books that I pick on Audiobooks because it adds so much to my enjoyment of the book to have a pleasing voice telling me the story. This reader is one of the very best. Just loved it!

Great reading of a classic

I've always enjoyed this story ever since I was a little girl. I still have my red velvet covered copy of the book, so I was excited to find an audio version.

Alison Larkin does an excellent job with the voicing and it brought the story to life in a new way for me.

I was given this audiobook for free in exchange for my honest review.

Amazing narration of a classic!

I grew up enthralled with the Broadway version of The Secret Garden and am familiar with the story, however, I learned today, I never actually read the book. The story follows Mary from India to England. In India she was accustomed to being waited on. In England she has to learn to entertain herself in a huge manor house. In doing so, she discovers a secret garden and uncovers secrets hidden by her uncle for over ten years. Bringing the secrets into the light brings life to the household and everyone in it.

The narration by Alison Larkin is amazing. Her Yorkshire is spot on as are all the other character voices. She brings a vibrancy to the storytelling that makes the story come to life. Highly recommended narration, can't wait to listen to more of Alison's books.

This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review

Pure Nostalgia

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

During this pandemic time of Covid-19, I have had to be in isolation for over a month now due to medical reasons. I have always like The Secret Garden, but it had been many years since i had heard it. I am so very glad I did. Going through this adventure with children and finding secret places to go spend time really brought back memories of my childhood when I would go out wandering my neighborhood to find beautiful quiet places to be alone and read my books. This version read by Alison Larkin really help ease my anxiety and bring back wonderful memories. If you want to get back in touch with your inner youth this is definetly the book for you. I'm so glad I have it now and I can listen to it when I want. I plan on introducing my son to it too as he loves to play outside.