A review by laurenleigh
The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

dark funny mysterious fast-paced
  • 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? No

5.0

Here’s the other book I’ll be gifting a different younger cousin, the first Series of Unfortunate Events book, The BadBeginning. I figured I should reread it just to make sure it’s still a favorite. Of course it is! Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snicker) is so brilliant. His style of dark comedy totally works both for kids and adults. I literally laughed out loud at his “translations” of baby Sunny’s babbling. I also found myself appreciating how he would define bigger words, but not in a condescending way, in a manner that matches the rest of his writing style and keeps the plot going. I have some other books of Handler’s on my TBR that I’m excited to pick up now. I’m so interested to see what his genius mind would do outside of children’s literature.
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