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Summary: Fast, entertaining tale
Review: Lemony Snicket's 'The Bad Beginning' is the first book in the 'Series of Unfortunate Events' books. And it is a Bad Beginning as the Beaudilaire children are orphaned and sent to live with their greedy relative Count Olaf, who schemes to steal their inheritance.
The book is written in a breezy, enjoyable conversational style that reminds one a bit of C.S. Lewis' Narnian chronicles. However the story-line has a gothic fairy-tale feel to it, with orphans battling wicked relatives, and elements of real danger and suspense. The story is short and tightly paced (perhaps a little too quick for adult readers who might wish for a little more depth) so children shouldn't find it too daunting.
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Summary: a review
Review: This book is awesome, if you don't mind no happy endings. Plus, it keeps you in suspense the whole time; I was on the edge of my seat. And if you read the bio on Mr. Snicket, the back, the letter to the publisher, and the dedication, you'll probably be laughing before you even start to read the book.
Rating: 
Summary: The Bad Beginning
Review: I really liked this book. Even though it is the first book and you need to put detail into it, I think it had a lot of description. I like Lemony Snicket's books. He puts phrases into them and then explains them so you know what he is talking about. The Bad Beginning was funny and sad. Sad because of the true things that happened to the Baudelair children. Funny because of the things the Baudelair children do to Count Olaf in order to be safe. I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone who doesn't have an interesting book to read.
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Summary: The best book ever!
Review: This was a great book if tou like misery and pain. it is a wonderful book thats why it has 5 stars
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Summary: Message to Series Begginners
Review: Hello to all all who are intersted in buying this book! This series is one of the best I have ever read. The first book is a very good one... I must warn you though, it starts out slow and could be classified as boring, but be patient! After the first couple chapters things start getting more exciting, If you didn't like the book at all, do not fear! The other nine books are way better! Also, if you are one that despises reading, A movie version of the first three books should be coming out this December! Also, if you have heard that the books in this series are sad and dismal, amazingly they are very exciting!
Have funn reading!
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Summary: A must read!
Review: Dear Readers: I'm going to tell you about the first book in the Series of Unfortunate Events called Bad Beginning. The characters are Violet, Klaus, and Sonny. They lost their parents, who were very rich, in a terrible fire that burned down their house. Since their parents died, they have to live with a mysterious uncle named Count Olaf. Little by little Violet, Klaus and Sonny's lives turn to misery. Count Olaf is a bad man because he made his orphans do chores that did not even need to be done and he slapped Klaus across the face for no reason. Count Olaf wants to have the children's fortune, but he can't because the money is for Violet when she becomes of age. So he makes a plan that is very clever and could possibly work. You'll have to read the book to find out what the plan is and how the Bauldelaire children turn out.
If you like stories with happy beginnings and happy endings this book is not for you. On the other hand, if you like adventure books, you should read this book because you never want to put the book down until you find out what happens to the Bauldelaire children. Lemony Snicket has done an outstanding job writing this book. He expressed all the characters' feelings. He makes you want to keep reading because you can't believe that such terrible things could keep happening to innocent children.
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Summary: The Great Beginning!
Review: Violet, Klaus and Sunny are 3 newly-orphaned children due to the tragic death of their parents. Their parents had been wonderful, supportive and kind, but now the siblings are under the care of Count Olaf, the villanous man who is after the baudelaires' massive fortune, only to be used when Violet is of age. The children begin to miss their parents, and in their unique ways make plans of escape. Will it all work well, and will they escape the man set on robbing them? Lemony Snicket introduces us to a series of unfortunate events, a great read for all ages. If you enjoy reading or not, these are really good!
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Summary: Was disturbed and dismayed by this book.
Review: I bought this book at my children's school book fair after reading some of the reviews here. I believed from the text on the book jacket that there must be something delightful and darkly humorous about these books. Unfortunatly all I found was a thin plot line, some rather intellgent but somewhat clueless children, and conniving relative with muderous intents. Also he and his friends have some veiled "desires" towards the oldest teenage daughter.I see no true value to this book, other than an excellent writing style and an excellent vocabulary. I for one will not let my children rea
Rating:
Summary: Assembly line crap
Review: I can't understand the popularity of these books. The villain is one-dimensional. The children, despite their various "talents" are frustratingly unresourceful. (They're in trouble, they have a sympathetic *judge* who lives next door, yet they never ask her for advice? Perhaps they had their reasons, but they're not articulated, and so they seem rather useless and hard to cheer on.) There's a self-conscious and self-congratulatory cleverness to the writing. It seems "Snicket" just does not respect his audience. Skip this assembly line crap and read quality children's books that deal with the dire fates of orphans so much more satisfyingly. • Noel Streitfield's SHOES series. This writer has a very clear respect for her readers and doesn't indulge in cheap melodrama.
• The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken. Very similar themes, but SO MUCH BETTER!
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Summary: I tried to like it but...
Review: I started reading this book fully expecting to like it. The back cover was wonderfully grim with it's Poe-ish tone and it's Edward Gorey-like illustrations. However, I found the book to be simply grim with little or no tongue-in-cheek humor. The general tone of the book is so depressing that it just wasn't worth it to me to keep reading. I would not particularly recommend this book, although others obviously favor it.
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