A sour, solitary child, a sprawling old manor full of locked-away corners, and one walled garden that no one has tended for years: Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic turns a simple discovery into a story about coming back to life. It’s one of those books that feels even bigger read aloud, with the wind on the Yorkshire moor practically audible between the lines.
Listen to The Secret Garden Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeWhat The Secret Garden is about
First published in 1911, “The Secret Garden” follows Mary Lennox, a contrary and unloved girl who is sent from India to live at her uncle’s remote house on the Yorkshire moors. The house is vast, hushed, and full of rooms she’s told to stay out of, and the grown-ups around her seem as shut-up as the place itself. Then Mary hears about a garden that has been locked and abandoned, and her curiosity slowly pulls her out of her own bitterness.
What follows is a gentle, patient story about secrets, fresh air, friendship, and the small daily work of making something grow. Burnett writes the moor and the changing seasons with real tenderness, and the book’s quiet faith in nature and second chances is why it has stayed beloved for over a century. It’s a children’s classic that grown readers return to just as happily.
| Author | Frances Hodgson Burnett |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9789176391549 |
| List price | $12.99 |
Why The Secret Garden is great on audio
On audio, the book’s atmosphere does a lot of the work: the hush of the big house, the rough music of the Yorkshire dialect, and the slow greening of the garden all come alive when spoken aloud. It suits anyone who likes a calming, immersive listen, and it’s an easy one to share with younger family members on a long drive or at bedtime.
Who should listen
Reach for this if you love classic children’s literature, gentle period stories, and tales where nature and quiet transformation matter more than fast action. Listeners who only want high-stakes thrillers or modern pacing may find its early chapters slow. Everyone else, including nostalgic adult readers, will likely find it a comforting, restorative listen.
If you like The Secret Garden, listen to these next
- Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
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- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
How to get the The Secret Garden audiobook free
Yes — the easiest way to get the The Secret Garden audiobook free is with an Audiobooks.com free trial. Your first audiobook is free, so you can listen to The Secret Garden during the 30-day trial and cancel anytime.
Listen to The Secret Garden Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeFrequently asked questions
Is “The Secret Garden” appropriate for children?
Yes. It’s a classic of children’s literature from 1911 and is widely read by kids, though its old-fashioned language and unhurried opening mean younger listeners may enjoy it most alongside an adult. Adults reading for nostalgia get plenty out of it too.
How can I listen to The Secret Garden audiobook free?
You can listen with an Audiobooks.com free trial, which gives you your first audiobook free to enjoy during a 30-day trial, and you can cancel anytime. Keep in mind a free-trial title is for listening during the trial period, not to keep afterward; only audiobooks you actually purchase stay in your library.
Do I need to have read the book first to enjoy the audiobook?
Not at all. The story stands completely on its own, and the audio format is a great way to experience it for the first time or to revisit a childhood favorite.
Is the audiobook the full, unabridged story?
Editions vary, so check the specific listing before you start. If you want the complete experience, look for a version marked as unabridged so you don’t miss any of Burnett’s descriptions of the moor and the garden.