Reviews

The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1): Netflix Tie-in Edition by Lemony Snicket

joeyhannah's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

mrs_faith_owens's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Unobjectively, I hate this book. I’m just not a fan of books that are this kind of dark, even though I enjoy books about murder. But objectively, I have to say this book is really well written. While it is super dark, it isn’t too graphic for most elementary age readers, and this book does a fantastic job of introducing new and very large words to the reader in a way that fits the tone of the book. 

Overall, this book — and series — is impressively written with an oddly deep lore for a children’s book. Be warned… if you read this book and continue on with the series, you will be left with more questions that answers… and the answers may not match any questions you ever thought of. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

Also, child marriage. If you are checking the book before your child reads it, the following sections are probably the most critical to check. Page 8 Pages 45-49 Pages 96-110

shitholden's review against another edition

4.0

Sinceramente, esperaba un cuento infantil, y aunque en forma y formato lo sea, imaginarme leyéndolo a un grupo de niños y niñas me ha parecido aterrador. Había visto la serie, y sí, a pesar del dramatismo era una comedia, sin embargo en la lectura ni hay música ni efectos de sonido, solo unos pobres huérfanos aterrorizados.

Una experiencia muy distinta a la serie de Netflix, pero igual de recomendable, sin duda seguiré leyendo la saga.

leaflit's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

breadandmushrooms's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

aubdotcom's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Childhood reread activated! This audio was fantastic!

manjala's review against another edition

4.0

Ahh the nostalgia...
I'm surprised I liked this more than I thought I would. This is one of those stories that is still good to read once you're an adult. The narration style is so original and fun, I love how self aware the author seems to be.

sometimesellie's review against another edition

funny sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

autumnalsnow's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted sad fast-paced

3.0

barbiealsmalerin's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0