The Baudelaire siblings suffer all sorts of misfortunes in this, the first book of their adventures.
A Series of Unfortunate Events #1
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"Written with old-fashioned flair, this fast-paced book is not for the squeamish: the Baudelaire children are truly sympathetic characters who encounter a multitude of distressing situations. Those who enjoy a little poison in their porridge will find it wicked good fun." Kirkus Reviews
--This text refers to the Unknown Binding edition.From the Back Cover
Dear Customer,
I am sorry to tell you that this CD is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. One might say that they are magnets for misfortune.
On this recording 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 record these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from ignoring this tape completely and choosing something happy instead, if you prefer that sort of thing.
With all due respect, Lemony Snicket
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Even though this is a book targeted to kids by its publisher, I think that the author wrote it considering a much broader audience. I would say that as Rowling did with "Harry Potter", Snicket will captivate people of all ages. A word of warning though, the author clearly states that this is an unhappy story and that if you do not like this you should not try to read it. He is not joking! The story is sad and every time there is a glimpse of hope, it is quickly quenched.
The three Baudelaire siblings are the main characters in this unhappy story. Violet is a fourteen-year-old who loves to think constantly about possible inventions. Klaus is twelve, intelligent and enjoys reading all kinds of books. Sunny is the little infant that is going through a biting stage and will go at anything with her four teeth. Everything starts out wrong right from the beginning, when the Baudelaire siblings, now orphans, find out that their parents died in a fire. They have a huge fortune, but they will not have access to it until Violet reaches adulthood. In the meantime, Mr. Poe, the executioner of the estate will manage the funds and take care of finding a place for the orphans to live in.
Violet, Klaus and Sunny end up living with Count Olaf, in a house that is a disaster and has a weird feeling about it. Also, they quickly realize that the Count's only interest is in the money they have and in nothing else. The kids are forced to take care of the house chores and only find solace in their friendly neighbor, Justice Strauss. But any glimpse at happiness is quickly extinguished by new terrible events. We even get a second warning by the author halfway through the book: "...people who hate stories in which terrible things happen to small children should put this book down immediately".
... Read more ›9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
My 8 year old spent the whole of half term reading this and her sister , 6, enjoyed listening to the story. I can't believe the adults who are complaining it is too short - this is a childs book and it is quite long enough for an 8 year old. I have been begged to get further books and that is the aim of childrens books, to encourage them to read. I would say my daughter is not a natural reader and this is the first book she has ever asked me to buy further episodes off.
The defining of 'difficult' words is fantastic. I think childs volcabulary has expanded by 100 words at least, just from this one book.
I was more scared of the plot than the children!
The defining of 'difficult' words is fantastic. I think childs volcabulary has expanded by 100 words at least, just from this one book.
I was more scared of the plot than the children!
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By ZeusBeheld
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
For those of us who are sick and tired of the cheery world of children's literature, complete with talking rabbits and other fluffy little creatures whose every problem is resolved to their complete and undeniably cheery satisfaction comes the very opposite. Lemony Snicket makes no pretensions where his books are concerned; each one of these magically morbid tales, of which this is the first, features deaths aplenty and more than a few situations which would have less realistic children's authors of yesteryear spinning in their grave. The whole thing is buoyed along on a bobbing tide of grim humour, and every book contains at least one moment of delicious realisation that the very worst you could possibly imagine is, yes... it's going to happen. The illustrations add a most macabre realism to the proceedings, and the three children's characters are not only depicted lavishly in glowing prose but also shine through in each meticulously detailed image. One can only hope the Baudelaire orphans never find happiness, for to do so would mean the end of a fine series of books.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
If you haven't heard of 'A Series of Unfortunate Events,' then where have you been? I don't know anyone who read these books and didn't like them. Just read the book! Read all the books!
Anyway, this is the first book about the three Baudelaires, Sunny, Violet and Klaus. Their parents are killed in the fire that burns down their home, and as if that wasn't bad enough, they are sent to live with the evil Count Olaf. Count Olaf is determined to steal the Baudelaires' fortune and this is the first of his attempts to kill them and get his hands on the money. The book is funny, gripping and tense, and it might even teach you some new words! If you're an extremely sensitive person, you might not like it, but I am and I love the books. Read this and then read the other books in the series - it won't be hard to find them in a bookshop, trust me...
Reviewed by britishfairyprincess
Anyway, this is the first book about the three Baudelaires, Sunny, Violet and Klaus. Their parents are killed in the fire that burns down their home, and as if that wasn't bad enough, they are sent to live with the evil Count Olaf. Count Olaf is determined to steal the Baudelaires' fortune and this is the first of his attempts to kill them and get his hands on the money. The book is funny, gripping and tense, and it might even teach you some new words! If you're an extremely sensitive person, you might not like it, but I am and I love the books. Read this and then read the other books in the series - it won't be hard to find them in a bookshop, trust me...
Reviewed by britishfairyprincess
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This is a brilliant book with lots of laughs.The fact that Lemony Snicket has made `unfortunate events` humerous and that the children in the story never end up happy makes you want to read on. I also like the way Lemony Snicket speaks to you aswell as telling the story.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Matt Pucci
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
The Lemony Snicket books are very popular among the boys in my Year 4 class, largely because they turn the predictable, good-characters-live-happily-ever-after, bad-character-gets-his-comeuppance type story on its head. This, the first in the series, starts as it means to go on as the three main characters - siblings Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire - lose their home and their parents in a big fire before being packed off to live with their closest relative, Count Olaf. But Count Olaf just happens to be a greedy, conniving and generally rather unpleasant character who tries every which way to get his hands on the children's inherited fortune.
The Lemony Snicket books are aimed at readers aged between 8 and 14; they are easy enough to read and - if you're prepared to heed the author's warning on the first page - enjoyable too, being, as they are, darkly comic and just the right side of "mildly disturbing".
Matt Pucci
The Lemony Snicket books are aimed at readers aged between 8 and 14; they are easy enough to read and - if you're prepared to heed the author's warning on the first page - enjoyable too, being, as they are, darkly comic and just the right side of "mildly disturbing".
Matt Pucci
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great book
bought as a birthday gift for my neice, I loved this series when I read it. Fantasticly funny and dark
Published 3 days ago by Mr. M. R. Davies
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
This book was fantastic, as I'm hoping the others will be. I couldn't put it down. Absolutely fantastic for a broad range of age groups.
Published 27 days ago by Lianne Brimicombe
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book
Really enjoyable and easy to read. Snicket made a very good job of this series. A 'must read' for those who don't do happy...
endings.
endings.
Published 1 month ago by Andrew Rawlinson
1.0 out of 5 stars
Book not DVD
I thought it was a DVD when I ordered and it was impossible to change. I should be more attentive when I order.
Published 1 month ago by Wendy Blunt Grfiffis
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
The book is good.
However the product I purchased was described as new. It's not, it had marks and the previous owner wrote inside.
However the product I purchased was described as new. It's not, it had marks and the previous owner wrote inside.
Published 1 month ago by knitshop.co.uk
5.0 out of 5 stars
DEFINITELY worth reading
A very sad story where 3 bright children manage to stay alive and stop count olaf from stealing their dead parents money-- an amazing masterpiece
Published 2 months ago by oliver brenchley ob
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Wonderful condition. My son tells me it better than the movies. Glad I boroughs have already recommended this to others.
Published 2 months ago by Janet Allman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thriller
Really good book and gripping I really enjoyed it looking forward to reading the second one and can't wait to find out what happens next :) :^) :-) ;)
Published 2 months ago by Samantha Gibbs
5.0 out of 5 stars
good
i am 11 years old and my class read this book and although it has only bad events we really liked it and i recomed that you should read it to 6sf fryent primary
Published 2 months ago by robert
3.0 out of 5 stars
Quick & Enjoyable
This book was a quick enjoyable read. It follows the orphans on there first stop on what is a very eventful journey! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Elle
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