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Book Review of Frances Hodgson Burnett: The Unexpected Life of the Author of the Secret Garden

Frances Hodgson Burnett: The Unexpected Life of the Author of the Secret Garden
reviewed on


Although F.H.B. is best known for having written "Little Lord Fauntleroy" and--most of all--"The Secret Garden," I was interested in
her for her "Racketty-Packetty House," my favorite book when I was a child. To my disappointment, this biography had little to say about that book, but it is still very interesting.

It turns out that F.H.B., who delighted so many with her cheerful stories, had a rather unhappy life. She was very independent and never wanted to be married, but ended up with two failed marriages. She lost a son in his teens. She worked hard all her life to support many family members. Her last years were filled with ill health and pain.

There are several pages of black and white photos, and the book is well-written.