Locus Focus! (1)

Locus Focus is a meme by Enbrethiliel of Shredded Cheddar. It is where we talk about our favorite settings in books -- whether it'd be one from a book you are currently reading, or an all-time favorite.

I have to admit, I've been excited to join this for a few weeks now. It just sounds like such a fun and unique meme, so I already knew I couldn't resist. Sounds interesting? It definitely is, if I may say so myself. So go to E's blog now to read her post, and maybe, even to link up your own :)
For my pick for the meme's very first week, it's not at all surprising.

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The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett

It is set in the early 20th century. We first meet Mary Lennox in colonial India. With a father in a political position and a mother who went to lavish parties, Mary was usually ignored. So she grew up taken care of by her Ayah and some of the other native servants. When an outbreak of cholera hit India, her parents died, and she is sent to live with her uncle in England.

This is where the setting shifts and the story takes us to where Mary's uncle lives: Misselthwaite Manor. Misselthwaite Manor is a dark mansion; one with massive iron bars to serve as the front gates. Inside, is an enormous hall, so dimly lit she could barely see a thing. On the walls were the many portraits of different people Mary did not know of and rich-textured tapestries lined up next to them. There is a broad staircase that lead up to a long corridor, where Mary's bedroom is. She steps in and finds that it is indeed cozy-looking, with the help of the massive fireplace and her canopy bed. Despite the house's and her bedroom's grandeur, it was still very eerie and gloomy -- one that Mary did not at all like.

Personally, I love the sound of Misselthwaite Manor. Sure, it sounds like it could be extremely gloomy and lonely there, but I always tried to imagine how the libraries would look like -- if there were libraries in Misselthwaite Manor. I can only imagine how vast the space would be, and how much books such a place could store.

The third (and my favorite) setting in this novel is of course; the garden itself. However, when Mary first discovered it, she knew it has obviously been abandoned for years. She stated, "How still it is! How still!"
A dark garden full of old and gray trees, dead flowers, weeds, dead rose bushes, and empty pathways.

Mary decided to take care of it -- by planting seeds and cleaning out the whole garden. With the help of her friend, Dickon, soon, the garden starts to come alive. And the result of all their work is nothing less than amazing; a thriving place full of life; flowers of different kinds from roses, carnations, lilies, daisies to poppies. There are birds chirping and singing again on branches. Green tress that bear fruit. Clean pathways. I mean, how could anyone not love such beauty?

And as if the wonder of the place is not enough, Frances Hodgson Burnett's writing is also as beautiful. Her details always leave me in awe, wishing I could also be sitting on the grass, smelling the flowers, and feeling the breeze. Let me just add a book to read and a cup of tea and that could very well be a perfect day.