The Secret Garden Audiobook By Frances Hodgson Burnett cover art

The Secret Garden

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

The Secret Garden

By: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Narrated by: Josephine Bailey
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.61

Buy for $14.61

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel
When Mary Lennox's parents die from cholera in India, the spoiled orphan is transplanted to her uncle's 600-year-old gloomy and secretive estate in England. She is certain that she is destined for misery at Misselthwaite Manor. When Mary meets the old groundskeeper, he is the first to tell her what he thinks of her: "We was wove out of th' same cloth. We're neither of us good lookin' an' we're both of us as sour as we look. We've got the same nasty tempers, both of us, I'll warrant."

However, she soon discovers an arched doorway into an overgrown garden, locked shut since the death of her aunt 10 years earlier. Fate grants Mary access to the secret garden and she begins transforming it into a thing of beauty, unaware that she too is changing.

Public Domain ©2003 Tantor Media, Inc. Originally published 1911. Classics Literature & Fiction Feel-Good British History Teen Fiction History For Kids Kids Fiction British Fiction Young Adult Historical Fiction

Editorial reviews

This beautifully produced children's classic is narrated by the talented Josephine Bailey, whose voice is musical and elegant. This story of two lonely children finding happiness through their mutual delight in tending a neglected garden includes much dialogue, and Bailey transitions seamlessly from one character's voice to another. She easily distinguishes petulant Mary from fretful cousin Colin and captures the nuances of their wide-ranging, passionate emotions. Bailey's rendition of Colin's tantrum and the cousins' reconciliation is breathtaking. Her good-hearted Dicken, with his broad Yorkshire accent, and gruff Ben Weatherstaff are equally excellent. There are numerous productions of this story, but Bailey's is surely one of the best. Her sensitive narration makes every minute fly.

Featured Article: 60+ Nature Quotes to Inspire and Motivate You


From the Andes Mountains to Monument Valley, from Niagara Falls to Kilauea, nature is truly awe-inspiring. Beyond natural marvels, ecosystems on Earth are so vast and varied. Nature’s beauty and wonder are literally everywhere, waiting to delight and uplift us. Countless storytellers over the years have examined the endless beauty of the great outdoors. We’ve assembled some of our favorite quotes about nature to motivate and inspire you.

Featured Article 60+ Nature Quotes to Inspire and Motivate You
Magical Storytelling • Vivid Nature Descriptions • Outstanding Narration • Timeless Classic Appeal
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
Performance was so good! Lovely story of learning to live and learning to love again

A sweet story; excellent performance!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I have heard of this classic novel many times over the years but had not planned to read or listen to it. I was convinced I should read it after listening to "I Can See Clearly" by Dr. Wayne Dyer. He's been one of the great teachers of my life. He described the impact this story had on his life as a child. I was convinced I should read it. I listened to the majority of it as I walked each day. Listening to the story made me much more aware of nature, the plants and trees, the birds, bugs and even the air and skyline. My respect for nature deepened as I listened and discovered the healing powers of being outside through the voices of children. It's worth mentioning that I developed a morning walking habit during this time. My body needed and continues to need the exercise and experience of being outdoors. I've been stagnant much to long and as the children in the story I am becoming stronger, healthier, more observant and grateful through my daily communion with the great outdoors.

Naturally Beautiful Story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The narrator was boring, did not captivate me and did no justice of the story. With a good narration and story teller, this story is a favorite😽😿

wasn't fond of the narration

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The narrator was amazing. The story itself was beautifully written. The pace in which the story unfolded was very refreshing and enjoyable. I also loved the eloquent and clever language usage.

Wonderful!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I've often heard how wonderful this story was but now I know. The narration was terrific as well and I can't believe I finished it on Father's Day...so very appropriate.

A Secret Too Long

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
very well done
the story, the narrator, all did a great job.
I will listen again.

well done

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is my winter SAD go-to read. The characters each come to life after major traumas. Just listening to it, and the broad Yorkshire accents, and you'll feel your mood rising, like the crocus pushing through the snow!

Magic and happiness!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The audio version has to be better than reading only with your eyes. This was .... simply & Wonderfully executed.

My daughter read this when she was young.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This warm-hearted story of 3 quirky children wants to remind us of the magic of being alive and the wonder of childhood.

A personal favorite from childhood, hearing it aloud brought the story to life in beautiful ways. Especially the Yorkshire voices. Although not in a position to speak of its authenticity, it was much more alive and vibrant than the uninformed voice in my head.

Josephine Bailey's narration enhanced the story for me. As with the book itself, it guided me back to childhood and the rather different manner in which a child perceives the world. Each character's voice is unique, and she shifts effortlessly between them in a dialog-rich story.

As a child, my favorite character was Dicken, and I might have been a little in love with him. Many years later, I find myself especially charmed by the minor character of his mother with her pluck, warmth and practical nature. Mary's ability to adapt to her new life without resentment or bitterness, inspired my admiration for her simple and direct courage.

This is a wonderful book for both children and adults. It is charming and lifts one's spirits. I recommend it to anyone who values children and childhood and is willing to be caught up in vibrant descriptions.

The magic of life and childhood

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

What did you love best about The Secret Garden?

IT was a pleasant, peaceful story.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters were all good people.

Have you listened to any of Josephine Bailey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first book by this narrator but she is very talented and versatile.

Good Easy Listening

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews