Audrey Hepburn's Favorite Book Is A Classic Also Loved By Anne Hathaway

It's clear that Anne Hathaway is a fan of Audrey Hepburn. From channeling Hepburn's iconic looks on the red carpet and in various photoshoots throughout her career, Hathaway has made it known that she definitely sees some parallels between the two of them. But it's not just through pixie cuts and dresses that the actresses overlap, but in their literary choices, too. It turns out that "The Secret Garden" is among both Hepburn and Hathaway's favorite books.

Published in 1911 and written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, "The Secret Garden" is a coming-of-age book about Mary Lennox, who, after losing her parents to cholera, is sent to live with relatives. It's there that Mary discovers the walled garden that has been locked for a decade, after the death of her aunt Lilias. Determined to find the hidden keys to unlock the garden, several characters come into her life, and the once hardened and spoiled Mary softens as she lets down her guard and allows people to get close to her, transforming Mary into an empathetic, understanding person.

Although Mary is the main character, she's not the only one who is changed through the garden's restoration. The story also highlights her heartbroken uncle and cousin Colin's emotional journey. "The Secret Garden" is such a classic, beautifully written, and full of hope, that it's easy to see why Hepburn and Hathaway would love the book.

While there don't appear to be any specific quotes from Audrey Hepburn about the book and her love of it, it appears to be widespread, common knowledge. And while there aren't any famous quotes from Hepburn about the written classic, Anne Hathaway did have something to say about "The Secret Garden." According to the World Economic Forum, Hathaway said of the book, "I wanted to be Mary Lennox [in 'The Secret Garden'] so badly. I still have a soft spot for gardens and I'm always going off to see if I can find locked doors inside them." It's also been on Hathaway's recommended books lists, along with "The Handmaid's Tale," "1984," and "Girl in a Band," the latter of which is about Kim Gordon's time in Sonic Youth.

Based on their public personas and the roles they've chosen to play, it makes sense that both Hepburn and Hathaway would relate to "The Secret Garden." As much as it's about an orphan finding herself, it's also about the magic that can be found in mystery, as well as what can be resurrected when we give something patience, love, and time.