kayote reviewed Secret Garden on 81st Street by Ivy Noelle Weir
Review of 'Secret Garden on 81st Street' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Secret Garden was one of my favorite books, so I was excited to see a modern retelling. I was suspicious of it being a single (admittedly on the thicker side) graphic novel. I would say it is more "inspired by" than a retelling. It took me a bit to realize they cut out the bad guy! Mary's adjustment is a bit smoother (saves a lot of space), Ms Medlock is more sympathetic, the doctor is a therapist. Grief is handled much more in a modern way. Dickon is still a nature lover and a bit on the cheerful crazy side. To be clear--I enjoyed this, it's a good story, and it integrates some important things from the modern world in really good ways. I just suggest reading it for its own good story merits rather than as a retelling.
