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kate22492's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Death and Child abuse
skylarkblue1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Representations: https://trello.com/c/7gXn3cfF/102-a-series-of-unfortunate-events-1-the-bad-beginning-by-lemony-snicket
I was so incredibly lucky to get the first 6 books of this series in the delightful 25th anniversary editions on an author's evening with Lemony Snicket himself :3 I cannot state just how lovely he was, so many fantastic stories! And these editions, just absolutely breathtaking! Emily Gravett did an excellent job with them.
I think we all know these books, even if you haven't read them (yet!). I read these as a kid back in the early 2000s, lost my old copies though so I grew up re-watching the film to give me my fix (Yes, I know it's really bad... I can't help but love it still though in it's own, quirky book chopping ways :3). It's been so long I've practically forgotten all of the stuff from the books so getting the opportunity to re-read them is such a delight!
I was pretty surprised by how short and light on character development this was though. I guess iirc it was originally made to be 13 books so I guess I should look at it like that, but if I went into this with no additional context, no history, etc I don't think I'd get as hooked into it from this starter alone. But I think nowadays it's pretty hard to separate it's fame from what it is, and we have all 13 books out to binge read at once so I don't think that's much of an issue at all to be honest.
Characters are just as loveable and creative as always, the writing is very creative and while it might repeat a bit too many things (like for example, if one of the kids does something while another of the kids isn't there, what they did will get repeated back even though it only happened a page or so ago). The humour was dry, but in a very good way - the classic Snicket way.
One thing I've never really realised before though about these is somehow despite being so incredibly dark and heavy with it's topics while being also humorous, it does actually handle the topics pretty well. The abuse itself isn't a joke, nor are the after-effects, and it doesn't feel like tonal whiplash either. I also get it's the whole "the kids have severely bad luck" but children being ignored and "parents know best" in this is sadly pretty realistic. It's not until the abuser slips up and shows themselves in-front of others that people actually take note finally.
I do really recommend this though, and if you're looking for some beautiful covers look no further than these 25th anniversary ones, my favourite so far has to be the second book with the snake wrapping around both sides though, it's so cool!
I was so incredibly lucky to get the first 6 books of this series in the delightful 25th anniversary editions on an author's evening with Lemony Snicket himself :3 I cannot state just how lovely he was, so many fantastic stories! And these editions, just absolutely breathtaking! Emily Gravett did an excellent job with them.
I think we all know these books, even if you haven't read them (yet!). I read these as a kid back in the early 2000s, lost my old copies though so I grew up re-watching the film to give me my fix (Yes, I know it's really bad... I can't help but love it still though in it's own, quirky book chopping ways :3). It's been so long I've practically forgotten all of the stuff from the books so getting the opportunity to re-read them is such a delight!
I was pretty surprised by how short and light on character development this was though. I guess iirc it was originally made to be 13 books so I guess I should look at it like that, but if I went into this with no additional context, no history, etc I don't think I'd get as hooked into it from this starter alone. But I think nowadays it's pretty hard to separate it's fame from what it is, and we have all 13 books out to binge read at once so I don't think that's much of an issue at all to be honest.
Characters are just as loveable and creative as always, the writing is very creative and while it might repeat a bit too many things (like for example, if one of the kids does something while another of the kids isn't there, what they did will get repeated back even though it only happened a page or so ago). The humour was dry, but in a very good way - the classic Snicket way.
One thing I've never really realised before though about these is somehow despite being so incredibly dark and heavy with it's topics while being also humorous, it does actually handle the topics pretty well. The abuse itself isn't a joke, nor are the after-effects, and it doesn't feel like tonal whiplash either. I also get it's the whole "the kids have severely bad luck" but children being ignored and "parents know best" in this is sadly pretty realistic. It's not until the abuser slips up and shows themselves in-front of others that people actually take note finally.
I do really recommend this though, and if you're looking for some beautiful covers look no further than these 25th anniversary ones, my favourite so far has to be the second book with the snake wrapping around both sides though, it's so cool!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Grief
alligatortoast's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I might be biased because I first read this series when I was in the same age range as Klaus and Violet, but I think this is overall a really great series and this book sets the tone for the rest of the series in terms of style and voice. It's not my fav of the series by any means, and reading it again as an adult I do see some problematic plot points. (Like a grown man trying to marry a 14 year old? Even though it's just to get their money it stills feels really creepy and weird.)
Also as others have said, the constant explaining of words is a bit annoying after a while. I understand this is meant for a younger audience but some of the words explained are words I knew at that age. And the author constantly uses more complicated words that aren't overly explained, so it makes the explanations seem redundant and cumbersome.
Overall this is a solid debut for an excellent series. The later books delve deeper into the story and subplots, but this one is more about introducing the concept and style of the series.
Also as others have said, the constant explaining of words is a bit annoying after a while. I understand this is meant for a younger audience but some of the words explained are words I knew at that age. And the author constantly uses more complicated words that aren't overly explained, so it makes the explanations seem redundant and cumbersome.
Overall this is a solid debut for an excellent series. The later books delve deeper into the story and subplots, but this one is more about introducing the concept and style of the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Death
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Blood
_booksandbells's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Child abuse
ssweeny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Violence, Adult/minor relationship, and Death of parent
alesehunter's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Violence, and Child abuse
theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A dark children’s book but not so dark that it’s inappropriate. Definitely check the content warnings and make sure you feel this series is appropriate for your child’s age. But there is no cursing or mature content.m; it’s just dark and has realistically scary things.
We are continuing with the series as a family!
We are continuing with the series as a family!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Child abuse, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Alcohol
ladypalutena's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's been over fifteen years since I last read A Series of Unfortunate Events. I was obsessed with this series in middle school, going so far as to beg my parents to get me a Bellsouth email address so I could create my own website all about VFD. That site is long gone now, of course, but listening to this book (thank you, Tim Curry) brings it all back.
These books are a lot shorter than I remember them being - they look big on the shelves, but there are several illustrations and the margins are really wide. This first book is only two and a half hours long as an audiobook.
These books are bleak. And I know it's a series of "unfortunate" events, but it's even worse than I remember. Every single adult in the Baudelaires' lives fails them, in every single way. Mr. Poe is more than useless, and only picks Count Olaf as guardian because he lives in the same city, and they can stay in the same school system. However, never once in this book do the Baudelaires go to school. They spend it being slaves to Count Olaf.
Listening to this as an adult makes me furious. How dare every single adult turn their back on these kids? They've lost their parents and their homes, and they've lost every single one of their friends.
Tim Curry's narration in this book is great.
These books are a lot shorter than I remember them being - they look big on the shelves, but there are several illustrations and the margins are really wide. This first book is only two and a half hours long as an audiobook.
These books are bleak. And I know it's a series of "unfortunate" events, but it's even worse than I remember. Every single adult in the Baudelaires' lives fails them, in every single way. Mr. Poe is more than useless, and only picks Count Olaf as guardian because he lives in the same city, and they can stay in the same school system. However, never once in this book do the Baudelaires go to school. They spend it being slaves to Count Olaf.
Listening to this as an adult makes me furious. How dare every single adult turn their back on these kids? They've lost their parents and their homes, and they've lost every single one of their friends.
Tim Curry's narration in this book is great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death of parent
wuthrinheights's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was obsessed with this series as a kid. I've lost count of how many times I've watched the movie, and for many years, I've been collecting the books. I just realised my collection is complete by now so I started reading it from the first book.
It has been too long since I read this, so I forgot a lot of details, but the one thing I remember (and loved) about Lemony Snicket is how great his voice is. His writing is incredibly unique and unforgettable. It's eloquent, whimsical, humorous, and informative. I love how he would teach idioms or phrases, or explain what certain words would mean in between telling this tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans.
The Bad Beginning was an incredible start to this fantastic series. It is (as per his warnings in every chance he could sneak in) terribly miserable and frustrating. From losing their parents at a young age to getting adopted by this unknown relative who abused them, to having adult friends who were of no help at all, it makes me want to weep for these three beautiful, smart, kind children. I know it's a series of unfortunate events, but my God. It truly is unfortunate.
It has been too long since I read this, so I forgot a lot of details, but the one thing I remember (and loved) about Lemony Snicket is how great his voice is. His writing is incredibly unique and unforgettable. It's eloquent, whimsical, humorous, and informative. I love how he would teach idioms or phrases, or explain what certain words would mean in between telling this tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans.
The Bad Beginning was an incredible start to this fantastic series. It is (as per his warnings in every chance he could sneak in) terribly miserable and frustrating. From losing their parents at a young age to getting adopted by this unknown relative who abused them, to having adult friends who were of no help at all, it makes me want to weep for these three beautiful, smart, kind children. I know it's a series of unfortunate events, but my God. It truly is unfortunate.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, Addiction, Death of parent, Incest, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Torture, Sexual harassment, Violence, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, and Slavery
brooketreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Read this with one of my daughters. She gives it a 4 out of 5 stars.
I give it a 2 out of 5 stars - so I am meeting in the middle for the marked star rating.
I will say, I’ve never read the books. I did watch the movie as a teen and then the Netflix series when it first came out. But, this hit different listening to it with one of my kids.
I love that the audiobooks are read by Tim Curry. And that’s where my positives end.
This felt so problematic for me… and by that I mean it is.
- their parents die
- their children placed with creepy (supposedly) distant relative
- kids treated like servants
- child abuse
- a literal adult man who is supposedly distant relative tries to trick a wedding between him and eldest daughter… who is 14?!
- threats of murder
Probably more ya’ll (I felt like there were a couple inappropriate insinuations)
All this to say, that I’m not encouraging anyone to not allow their children to read this. Just know what your kids are reading and be prepared to talk with them about its contents.
I give it a 2 out of 5 stars - so I am meeting in the middle for the marked star rating.
I will say, I’ve never read the books. I did watch the movie as a teen and then the Netflix series when it first came out. But, this hit different listening to it with one of my kids.
I love that the audiobooks are read by Tim Curry. And that’s where my positives end.
This felt so problematic for me… and by that I mean it is.
- their parents die
- their children placed with creepy (supposedly) distant relative
- kids treated like servants
- child abuse
- a literal adult man who is supposedly distant relative tries to trick a wedding between him and eldest daughter… who is 14?!
- threats of murder
Probably more ya’ll (I felt like there were a couple inappropriate insinuations)
All this to say, that I’m not encouraging anyone to not allow their children to read this. Just know what your kids are reading and be prepared to talk with them about its contents.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Child abuse