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theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition
- 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
We are continuing with the series as a family!
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Alcohol
ladypalutena's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Child abuse and Death of parent
wuthrinheights's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
icedcoffeeandbookss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Child abuse
brooketreads's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Child abuse and Death of parent
violet_viper's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
authorannafaundez's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The narrator, despite the sad story, felt kind. I'm a firm believer that children's books should talk about difficult topics, and A Series of Unfortunate Events does that well without leaving the reader feeling hopeless and defeated. That takes talent.
Moderate: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Minor: Confinement, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
staceyinthesticks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, and Pedophilia
freesiaelect's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Child abuse
thisismarianna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury