Rating: Summary: Decent introduction to a series that gets much better Review: Lemony Snicket's childrens' books collectively entitled _A Series of Unfortunate Events_ have received a certain amount of notice. I decided to give them a try. The schtick is that the books all involve unpleasant things happening to our heroes, a virtuous and intelligent trio of siblings, and that the endings are all unhappy. So it is with the first book, _The Bad Beginning_.I admit to not being overwhelmed by the first book: I think it's the weakest of the series. But it's still worth reading, and note that the succeeding books get quite a lot better. I should add that my 11 year old daughter, after some hesitation ("Why would I want to read books about terrible things happening to kids?") tried them, and has become quite addicted. The book opens with the three children, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, alone at the beach when they learn that their house has been burned down and their parents have died. Things get worse as they are shuffled from the unpleasant home of their parents' executor, a banker named Poe, to the even more unpleasant home of their new guardian, a distant relative named Count Olaf. The Count covets the considerable fortune which is held in trust for the children. Eventually he concocts a diabolical scheme to gain control of the money, but at the last moment he is foiled (in a very unlikely fashion). This sounds like a happy ending, but Snicket pastes on a bit of a downer at the end to keep to his promise. This book is interesting and a decent read, but in the end it was mostly gimmick. The writing was funny in spots, but not quite funny enough, and a bit precious. And the plotting wasn't really sufficiently inspired. Moreover, I was not able to forget the implausibility of the whole setup -- which I think more inspiration in the writing and plotting might have managed. Happily, the writing, at least, is better, funnier, archer, in the other books: or perhaps one simply becomes attuned to the voice. One of the great ongoing delights is the hints of his "personal life", apparently at least as unhappy as that of the Baudelaire children, that the author insinuates into the books. If _The Bad Beginning_ is not a complete success, it is an introduction to a so far quite satisfying series of stories.
Rating: Summary: Smashing good fun Review: The "Series" is a charming addition to the world of childrens books. Not only do these books give children the chance to learn new words in a fun way, they are also classic examples of storytelling. Kids will love to hate Uncle Olaf and enjoy the antics of three smart, respectful children. Particuarly, I enjoy the fact that Violet is a 14 year old girl who is interested in engineering, while Klaus loves to read. The reversal of typical "girls love books" "boys love science" roles is valuable for kids to see. Finally, I know that I've read them and come to parts where I have burst out laughing. The clever humor adds so much to the series
Rating: Summary: One of the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Review: I first heard about this book in a magizine ad. I had not read a good book sinse Harry Potter so I tried it out. As soon as I started it beat Harry Potter by a million years and a third. I love this book!!
Rating: Summary: Ostenstatiously Onerous Review: Who wouldn't be intrigued by a series of books by an author named Lemony Snicket? Since getting the first installment in my clutches, I have been engrossed by the dreadful predicaments of the Baudelaire orphans. Are the events depicted therein probable or morally fortifying? No, but that's the allure of the books for me--I feel badly for people who are too uptight to get down in the muck and relish the marvelous mayhem " a series of unfortunate events" can bring. I implore you to read these books, suspend reality for a while and bone up on that vocabulary. With all due respect...
Rating: Summary: Don't bother Review: I loved the Harry Potter books, and I thought this would be similar. In some ways it is. It's imaginative and clever, but too dark -- almost morbid. If you're looking for something good for kids, try Terry Brooks.
Rating: Summary: Morbid and morose -- but delightful! Review: I've only read Book 1 of the Lemony Snicket books, but I can promise you I'll continue reading in this series! This story of the orphans Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire goes from the merely terrible to the completely tragic. Mr. Snicket uses a light hand in his prose to keep the story from being entirely too sad. He often speaks directly to the reader, empathizing with the orphans' collective pitiful condition. He also has a delightful (and educational) way of inserting clauses to inform the young reader as to the meaning of the more sophisticated vocabulary he employs. Although purportedly written for young readers, this book delights the young-at-heart adult. Fortunately the books are published in a compact size, convenient for slipping into one's purse or briefcase, for a little comi-tragic relief from the workaday world.
Rating: Summary: Corrupt Reviews! Review: As any person who notices these kind of things, you have to consider that most of these book reviews are written by adults. Now I forgot. This IS a children's book, right? I happen to be a fourteen years old, and I recieved this book for Christmas (from a book magazine that sold "great" books). Any person I met who read it liked the books (even my english teacher NOTE: TEACHER). I am an avid reader, reading many of the classics (Grapes of Wrath; Hobbit; The Jungle; To Kill a Mockingbird), and enjoy the fantasy genre. So don't get me wrong by thinking I liked the book because they dumbed it down, or I'm a know-nothing (I happen to be in a special english, and math class). I found this book to be inventive, with a new style of writing. He kept you interested with the constant mystery, and clueless adults who frusterate you until you have to laugh at them. He keeps you attentive and not bored with a change of writing every few chapters. For example, he with will have little definitions that will obviously not be real, but attached to the storyline, and little humerous tidbits like five pages of "never"'s, or a couple of pages of black. It's a refreshing edition to the many styles of writing that are used way too often, and changed the direction of "oh, the hero has trouble, he goes and meets the bad guy, and defeats him. Happily Ever After!" There is no "Happily Ever After" here, and I find that in itself funny. If you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen! This was a fabulous book, and I recomend them all to anybody! I gave the book what it deserved, and if you don't like it. TOUGH! If you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all. Don't try to get people to avoid a book based on your opinion! They should avoid it on their opinion! I bid you farewell.
Rating: Summary: For the kids, and the kid inside you... Review: I love this book! I was looking for a gift for my eleven year old niece. After reading the first page I was hooked. I bought it and had to read the whole thing before giving it away as a present. Now I can't wait for her to finish reading it, so I can buy the next one. The illustration on the cover and in the book are quite charming. The children are quite likable without sounding too cute, and I personally enjoy the way the author uses the book to help children learn the meaning of some words. This is not a happy, cheerful story, but I think it's helpful for children to know not everything goes according to plan in this world. If anything I recommend reading it with your children and discuss the various topics (grief, greed, trust,etc) in the story. Enjoy!!
Rating: Summary: GO LEMONY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Review: I read this book and quickly because I COULD NOT put it down! You should read this book because it ROCKS! People say it's like Harry Potter and it is sort of but it's good in other ways. I am on the 2nd book. (The Reptile room) Well gotta go READ! (This is not a paid advertisment)
Rating: Summary: A sad, but addicting book that will make you read the series Review: Right when you pick up this book and start reading the first chapter, you won't be able to set it down. In the beginning of the Bad Begining the Baudelaire children find out that their parents have died in a terrible fire that flattened their home. That circumstance caused them to live with their horrible 4th cousin 3 times removed or 3rd cousin 4 times removed, and you will find out how horrible he really is. But I'm not going to tell you the whole story. So get with it read this book!! As a matter of fact read the whole series. Once you read this one you won't be able to stop reading it.
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