The Bad Beginning

I could sit and spend hours reviewing this entire series book by book instead of providing one review over the entire series simply because I love this series so much. Top 5 favorite book series right here. I'm an avid reader and this series left such a profound impact on me in middle school. I remember I got into the series because a guy that I had a crush on recommended it to me. He's deceased now, but I'm so happy that I took his recommendation. It was the first time I had ever been exposed to this style of writing. Some people find the way Lemony Snicket writes to be grating and almost condescending- but it compliments the books flavor and atmosphere perfectly. I never had a problem with his writing simply because of how distinct it show more is. Additionally, I have never seen anyone else write like him and leave the same effect over me. It's comical, sardonic, at times light hearted, somewhat educational and honestly anyone with a dark sense of humor could appreciate.
TSOUE series is sadistic and immersive. At one point I think it was controversial because some people weirdly saw it as 'child abuse is entertaining'. That's just as idiotic as saying that reading a Stephen King novel makes someone a murderer or that reading Lord of the Rings makes someone approve of racism. While this series does have plenty of dark, gloomy and well- unfortunate moments- it digs so much deeper than that. It really makes you appreciate the little moments we have in life to be thankful over. It puts a lot of things into perspective. It is one of the only series in existence that I cheer for the heroes rather than the villains, and that I prefer the protagonists to the antagonists. It certainly makes you want to see more justice in the world and to see the closure of these characters, and just hope for the best along the way.
This series absolutely promotes having a can-do attitude in a negative situation is a lifesaver. It is also famous for showing that we are always surrounded by incompetent people and the best solution is to do it yourself. It expresses that bad people are everywhere and often times they get away with stuff they shouldn't, so never be afraid to stand up for what's right. It teaches you that just because someone is family does not mean they are on your side or that they are good people- you don't have to accept or call someone family even if they are blood. It reminds you that not everyone is on your side or will be, but there will always be people out there willing to help you- but it is up to your judgement to decide if they are good or bad and if you'll give them a chance. It teaches you that the people that truly do have your back can make any trying time more tolerable. It reassures you that only sometimes people are capable of changing. I could go on and on about this series- and while there is no shortage of 'rain and storms' in this series, there are moments of well-deserved 'sunshine'. This is a series about love, friendship, loyalty, camaraderie, betrayal, resourcefulness, sacrifice and character development. I'd probably make this a required reading if I was a children's school teacher (at least the first two books).
It has moments that require suspension of disbelief- but the books themselves have a heavier realistic tone than you'd probably expect. No supernatural forces like ghosts or ancient Greek gods or anything like that. Just some regular human kids with a tragic past that just try to make it to tomorrow. Each book gets progressively longer as the series continues- but each one are fairly quick reads and can be knocked out in a day or three. I'm pretty sure someone with an average reading pace could finish the entire series in less than a month. I'm a fast reader though.
I also really dig the art found in the series- Brett Helquist really outdid himself for it.
This is a series for children, teens and adults. Literally anyone. show less

It's my birthday, and if I want to lie around reading books all day, then that's my business. Still, I didn't expect to rip through a whole volume in one afternoon, but here we are. The terrible adventures of the Baudelaire children begins. Badly. The awful fire, the even awfuller Count Olaf and his terrible plot to steal their fortune. Well meaning adults who don't take the clever and perceptive children seriously. Bad luck and trouble following them everywhere they go. Wow, that was fast and funny and highly readable. The kids are great, the villain is monstrous and the rest of the cast are generally hapless or horrible, while the story moves with mordant wit and the grace of impending catastrophe.

4/5
A very simple book overall, but in a extremely positive sense.
The Baudelaire orphans are likeable and smart, the situations they end up in are actually dangerous and Count Olaf is a smart vilain that poses an actual threat. All of this put together forms a great kids book that doesn't treat it's readers as idiots, which is a common issue.
The author's fun and witty prose is a great way to keep the read fresh and interesting.
The one thing that could be better is a more interesting setting, but I believe the next books in the series fill that void.

I hate to argue with the title, but this is an enjoyable beginning to an enjoyable series. Once again we have children having to fend for themselves in a world of at best unaware, and at worst downright evil, adults. The writing style of these books is particularly fun, however, as the narrator takes great delight in telling the reader from the outset that things are not going to turn out well, and that there will be no happily-ever-after at the end of this story. This book is a successful example of modern fantasy, in that the reader can’t imagine the events actually happening (a baby hung from a tower in a birdcage?), but the well-rounded characters and cleverly-constructed plot carry the reader forward smoothly. The events make show more sense within the context of the story, and also touch upon a feeling that children can relate to—that adults, however well-meaning—often pay more attention to their own affairs than the concerns of the children around them. Therefore it makes perfect sense that the children’s guardian, Mr. Poe, cannot see their situation for what it really is, and instead tells them that “Count Olaf’s parenting techniques are his own business.” show less

Let me start by saying that I am not the target audience for this book. I am older than the reader is supposed to be, and I do not have children that I am reading it to. On the other hand, I don't think that I would have enjoyed this book that much more if I had been able to read it when I was the target age.

Reason #1: I had other, similar books to compare it to that I enjoyed much more. You want a book about children who have to escape from mean adults? Read Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming. Books about orphans? Try The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner.

Reason #2: I have never enjoyed people talking down to me. I know a lot of my friends have said that Snicket doesn't talk down to his audience, but all of his dictionary show more definitions felt very condescending to me -- which in this case means "having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority".

Now, I enjoyed it enough to finish it (though that took no more than a distracted hour or two). But I won't be reading any more in the series. show less

I've been reading this series as bedtime stories with Milly, although I did have to go back and read a few myself that she had raced through, unable to wait for me to read them to her at the pace of one chapter a night. In fact this one I just went back and re-read for fun. They are genuinely brilliant books, funny and dark, mysterious and absurd. There are many allusions to literature for the reader paying attention to names. The author himself is a shadowy strange character, occasionally writing tantalising glimpses of his own story into the text.

Anyway this is the first one, it starts with the classic kids book gambit of immediately killing off the parents and really it all goes downhill for the Baudelaires from there. Count Olaf is show more an excellent villain, and the orphans are also thwarted by ineffectual adults. show less

The Bad Beginning (book 1 in A Series of Unfortunate Events) kicks off the 10 book series about the newly orphaned Baudelaire siblings and how they came under the care of their new guardian, Count Olaf, an alleged distant cousin, who is determined to get his hands on their family fortune, after the death of their parents. For those who've seen The Netflix series, you know how this one ends. The bleak, gothic atmosphere of The Bad Beginning keeps readers holding their breath, as will the damsel-on-train-tracks adventure. Periodic gusts of wicked humor from narrator Snicket, allow readers to start breathing again after menace strikes.

What is delightful about this book is the way Snicket (AKA Daniel Handler) writes the Baudlaire siblings. show more They are unique, enduring, and inspirational. By using their individual gifts (Violet's for inventing, Klaus's for reading and researching and baby Sunny's for biting) the three enterprising children thwart the Count Olaf's evil plans to get his hands on their fortune. The love of learning, creativity, and familiar bonds and duty comes across the page. And Snicket seems to suggest that creativity, ingenuity, intelligence, and love does win the day. However, readers beware: this happy ending isn't your typical fairy tale ending.

Reread: 2020. I still love this series. I love its black humor. Its heart. Its darkness. And more importantly, I love Klaus, Violet, and Sunny. My only question is: WHY ARE ALL THE ADULTS IDIOTS? Seriously, someone help these poor children. show less