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finagarvey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
andotherworlds's review against another edition
5.0
this was a re-read of one of my all time favorite series. if you haven't yet read or watched the new television show for it, please do, you will thank me later but i warn you, you will want to look away.
kitkat175's review against another edition
5.0
I love the first book so far, I also love the show a lot and the movie that came out years ago in 2004.
It's a funny and small enough, that you can have a break from the other books that you probably have been reading this year.
This book was made for kids but this book can be for adults too.
I will be reading more from Lemony Snicket.
This book is a very easy read to get done in one sitting.
It's a funny and small enough, that you can have a break from the other books that you probably have been reading this year.
This book was made for kids but this book can be for adults too.
I will be reading more from Lemony Snicket.
This book is a very easy read to get done in one sitting.
alexiswalls's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
soraydiant's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Child abuse
spacesnails's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
The Bad Beginning starts with a letter that acts as both the synopsis and introduction. The letter warns the reader that this book is not a happy one. Here's the letter:
The moment I read the letter, I knew that I was going to love the book, if not for the story, than for the style in which it's told.
The narrative used by the author, which reminds me of Narnia, is very good. It's like someone telling a story to a kid. Older than Narnia but younger than Percy Jackson. It's full of explanations for various saying and words, things to learn, and has simple but interesting characters that kids would want to be like.
It's a short and simple tale in which the clever protagonists try to use their wit to foil the evil the evil villain's evil plan. It's a classic formula, and I don't know what else to say. I really liked the book and I'm going to be reading the rest of the series as well as giving the Netflix show a try. I think you should check it out as well.
Dear Reader,
I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.
In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.
It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket
The moment I read the letter, I knew that I was going to love the book, if not for the story, than for the style in which it's told.
The narrative used by the author, which reminds me of Narnia, is very good. It's like someone telling a story to a kid. Older than Narnia but younger than Percy Jackson. It's full of explanations for various saying and words, things to learn, and has simple but interesting characters that kids would want to be like.
It's a short and simple tale in which the clever protagonists try to use their wit to foil the evil the evil villain's evil plan. It's a classic formula, and I don't know what else to say. I really liked the book and I'm going to be reading the rest of the series as well as giving the Netflix show a try. I think you should check it out as well.
bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
4.0
Lemony Snicket is darkly charming. He has the stylings similar to Roald Dahl--dark humor, orphans, mean adults abusing their power over children, and witty children.
The children are charming and quirky but not in any overstated way. His characters are endearing and his prose has more magic to it than many of Dahl's books--fortunately for Dahl, the movie versions of his books were given layers of warmth that were never part of his personality. Snicket, on the other hand, creates a series of unfortunate happenings that get beyond mischief to a person's heart.
It is a pleasure to enter the imagination of Lemony Snicket. I look forward spending another dozen books-worth of time in his clever, and "unfortunate" mind.
The children are charming and quirky but not in any overstated way. His characters are endearing and his prose has more magic to it than many of Dahl's books--fortunately for Dahl, the movie versions of his books were given layers of warmth that were never part of his personality. Snicket, on the other hand, creates a series of unfortunate happenings that get beyond mischief to a person's heart.
It is a pleasure to enter the imagination of Lemony Snicket. I look forward spending another dozen books-worth of time in his clever, and "unfortunate" mind.
skdonnelly11's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0