X is for — Mary LennoX from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden 
I am totally cheating here, choosing a character whose name ends in X rather than beginning with X.
The Secret Garden is one of my favorite books. Written in the early 1900s, it tells the story of young Mary Lennox, a spoiled brat who is ignored by her wealthy parents and is brought up by servants instructed to keep Mary out of her parents’ way. She lives in India until a cholera epidemic kills everyone in her household, except her.
She goes to live with her Uncle Craven at Misselthwaite Manor in England, where she discovers a sickly boy named Colin and a half-dead, hidden garden. As the neglected children bring the garden back to life, they, themselves, are transformed and blossom with new health and happiness.
The Secret Garden is a wonderfully uplifting and heartwarming tale of love, positive thinking, and the magic of growing things. I love how Mary rises above her horrible upbringing to not only create happiness for herself, but for Colin, too.
I’ve seen two movies made from the book, one by Hallmark Hall of Fame (1987) with Derek Jacobi and Gennie James and the other, a 1993 version with John Lynch, Maggie Smith, and Kate Maberly. Both altered the story somewhat, but I enjoyed them. The Hallmark movie was filmed at Highclere Castle in England, which was also the setting for the British TV series Jeeves and Wooster, with Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry, and is the current filming location for Downton Abbey.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Photo Credit: Amazon.com
Photo Credit: Amazon.com
Photo Credit: http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk
© Lori L. MacLaughlin and Writing, Reading, and the Pursuit of Dreams, 2015. All rights reserved.
Writing, Reading, and the Pursuit of Dreams 
I love the whole idea of castles and beautiful gardens with winding paths.
~ The end is in sight!!! ~
Visit me at: Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B of Tremps’ Troops
with the A to Z Challenge
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Yes, so do I!
One more day!!
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I read The Secret Garden looooong ago to the point that I don’t remember much! I remember thinking that Colin looked cute (according to the author’s description). lol I didn’t like Mary much, she’s so unlikeable at the start, but she impresses me when she decides enough is enough and teaches Colin. Wow!!!
Elizabeth Mueller
AtoZ 2015
My Little Pony
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That’s one of the things I like about the story is how much Mary changes from a monster child to a child who loves and helps others.
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I admit I’ve not read the book but I found the 1993 movie very sweet and charming.
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It’s been a long time since I read it, and I’m thinking I need to revisit it.
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One of my childhood favourites! (But not as much as Anne!) Also The Little Princess by the same author. I don’t think I’ve seen the films – both books were made into TV series here which I remember from my youth.
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I like The Little Princess very much, too!
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I read the book when I was a child, so it’s been awhile. Might have to read it again!
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I’ve been thinking about reading it again, as well.
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I wasn’t a fan of the book, but I did enjoy the Hallmark movie from the 90s. I also enjoyed The Little Princess. I’m not sure what my hang up was on The Secret Garden; I just never could get into it. 🙂
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The Little Princess was very good, too! Thanks for visiting!
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I love this book, but it’s been so long since I’ve read it I don’t remember it very well. Might be time for a refresher.
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I know, I have so many books and movies I want to re-read and re-watch now. 🙂
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One of my favourite books of all time! I also like Little Princess, and have been meaning to look into her other books.
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Little Lord Fauntleroy is another of her books on my TBR list.
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I think that we all cheated a bit during the challenge 🙂
I don’t think that I came across your bolg in the past. Now I am embarked on the road trip and try to say hello here and there.
I read the book so many years ago, I must have been 11 or something, but I remember next to nothing now. I read it in German, turns out they left out some of the most important parts in the translation. Maybe one day I’ll pick up the original and read it.
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That’s awful that they left parts out of the story. I hope you get to read the whole thing someday. Thanks for stopping by!
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well I know as my mom read the English book in parallel with the German as it helped her understand, and then she said that one of the most important chapters were missing. I think it had something to do with Germany’s past that they left outfits and pieces, I hope that now they have a new translation… If I have time I’ll borrow the English copy from my parents.
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