Rating: 
Summary: The Bad Beginning
Review: In my opinion a Series of Unfortunate Events is the best series of its kind. There is suspense, action, and some scary parts. It is a great book for any one!
Here is the idea of the book. There was a terrible tragedy that happened to these three children. They are introduced to a man named Mr. Poe who turns out to be the only man they can trust besides their new neighbor. The orphans move in with the only relative available.
Throughout the story, terrible and not so terrible things happen to the unlucky orphans. Again I recommend this book and the whole series for that matter to anyone!
Rating: 
Summary: "Scream and Run Away"
Review: This is a review mainly of the unabridged recording of "The Bad Beginning" ISBN 0-8072-6178-5 read by Tim Curry, with an interview of Lemony Snicket by Leonard C. Marcus. And the song "Scream and Run Away preformed by the Gothic Archies. This is also a review of the hard back book ISBN 0-06-440766-7.
Initial listening of this book brought horror and disgust (which in this case means repugnance.) Determined to finish the story despite the author's constant warnings, I must say that I became enamored of his style.
There are several pluses to listening to the recording. The pace of the recording helps keep you going when you would have set the book aside. The absence of the books illustrations by Bret Helquist allowed you to imagine a more sinister Count Olaf and a cuter, yet with a tad of tomboy, Violet. Now the significant plus is the unmistakable voice of Tim Curry of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "Oscar" (1991 as Dr. Poole) fame. His interpretation of the voices gave just as much panache to the characters as Lemony's writing.
Not in the book, but as additions to the recording are two significant items that help with the understanding of the story, where it came from and where it is going. First is an interview with the author. It covers many of the standard questions asked in an interview; the answers and the communication style is some what unique and a little over the top. Also there is a recording of a song that Mr. Snicket says is played by the Baudelaire memorial orchestra; I have since found that it was realy preformed by the Gothic Archies, written by Gay and Loud.
I do not want to give away the plot however I can tell you that at one point they are forced to eat "boiled chicken, boiled, potatoes and 'blanched'- here means 'boiled'- string beans"
Rating:
Summary: An Interesting Addictive Series
Review: If you like addicting dark series, this is for you.What I like about these books are that the author gets you involved and leaves a lot of questions hanging, which are up to you to solve. It's very addictive, and once you read one, you can't stop. I can understand how some people don't like them, but it's called a Series of Unfortunate Events for a reason. A lot of adults think childrens minds are all happy and sugar-coated, but that's not really true. If you like happy endings, back away. Although the books are all about misery, I am hoping that the actual series has a good ending. I guess only time will tell.
Rating:
Summary: so much fun...
Review: these are great books for adults too...great humor...very enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: BOOOOO!!!
Review: This book was absolutely horrible! I mean, really! The whole series is crazy! I mean, what's the point! The books are awful! I mean, everything comes out happily, but no, can't have them actually being HAPPY! No, no, it's like being happy is against all the rules! It was awful! I don't see why everyone else thinks it is so good! It is NOT good! Don't get this book!
Rating:
Summary: creepy!
Review: what young girl would want to be forced into marrying a scary older man just for her riches? the fear in this girl is tremendous. if there is any history of abuse in a child's life this book would be very disturbing and stressful. this book is warped, has no sense of humor, and is condescending to children (in it's definition and explanation of words). i bought this and immediately trashed it in hopes that it didn't go into the hands of another child. i would like to know what inspired him to write something of such low quality?
Rating:
Summary: Great Book For Potter Fans
Review: This is a great first book in the Series of Unfortunate Events. This is a series about the Baudelaire orphans, who's parents died in a horrible fire. Now, they are forced to live with their evil relative Count Olaf. This book is a great book for kids and Potter fans alike. I think anybody who reads this book should really enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Stick with it!
Review: I love all of the series but it is not without its flaws. I must admit that I found the first book to be the least interesting and I can understand why it turns people off. However, if you are even a little intrigued keep on reading. Once you get to the fourth or fifth book things really spice up and you just can't stop.
Rating:
Summary: A slow start, but stick with the series!
Review: Having read some of the bad reviews regarding book one of the series, I must say that those reviewers must give the series a chance. Upon finishing book one, I too did not quite know what to make of a silly little book where nothing good ever happens to three orphans. I must say that it really wasn't until I finished the third book that I really understood and felt the tone of the series. You are not meant to really feel bad for our small heroes, but merely enjoy the events that follow. As the orphans get moved around from house to house, their plight becomes more and more ridiculous and enjoyable. Unfortunately, Book One does not have time enough to develop the orphans enough for us to become invested in them. After reading more books in the series, you will root and laugh at the orphans in much the same way we wanted the crew from the Minnow to get off the deserted island. Very few books make me laugh out loud, and this series does! If you stick with the series, I defy you not to get hooked!
Rating:
Summary: Fun grey humor - esp when read by Tim Curry!
Review: I agree with one of your reviewers who says Lighten Up! These are fun reads and not to be taken so seriously. Not all of life is flowers and roses. It is good for you to walk your children through the dark side of life and here Lemony Snicket has given us a comical view of it, especially with the wonderful vision provided by the voices of the very talented Tim Curry. Unfortuneately, he does not read all of the volumes, and is sorely missed.
These are not Harry Potter books, so don't look for masterpieces, but they are fun reads.
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