The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events: Book The Second) [Hardcover]

Harry Potter devotees who turn to Lemony Snicket's series expecting more of the same are in for a shock. These books are pervaded by an unrelieved Gothic gloom; a miasmic air of menace and misery hangs over the pages, and nothing ever seems to go right for the wretched Baudelaire siblings, Violet, Klaus and baby Sunny. Orphaned when their parents are killed in a fire, they are handed over to the mysterious Count Olaf for safe keeping. In the first book, The Bad Beginning, the children manage to foil the evil Count's dastardly plot to marry Violet and embezzle the family fortune. At the start of this sequel it appears the hapless trio's fortunes are finally on the up. But with Count Olaf still lurking in the shadows, you never can tell.... The horrors of Book 1 are far behind them, and the children are sent to stay with their uncle Monty, a kindly soul with a penchant for snakes and coconut cream cake. A dedicated herpetologist (snake expert), he has built a reptile room which houses every variety of snake known to man - and many that aren't. He is about to embark on a trip to Peru, accompanied by his young relatives. All he needs is the arrival of his new assistant, Stephano, to complete the party. But the advent of Stephano heralds further tragedy for the Baudelaires. Death is lurking round every corner, no one can be taken at face value, and it needs all of Violet's inventiveness, as well as Sunny's passionate attachment to a snake, to save the children from a dreadful fate at the hands of their old enemy. This is the second in the series, which Snicket has promised will run to 13 in all. The books are fast-paced, flavoured with a wry humour and take more than a sideways swipe at the whole genre of children's writing - the author explains the meanings of unfamiliar words in asides, thus displaying the very condescension he abhors, and a careless 'damn' causes outrage. Despising the 'lily-liveredness of children's books', he lays on the doom and gloom with a trowel. Judging by the ecstatic response from children on both sides of the Atlantic, they'll take as much of this as Mr Snicket can throw at them. Why stop at 13? (Kirkus UK)

After narrowly escaping the menacing clutches of the dastardly Count Olaf, the three Baudelaire orphans are taken in by a kindly herpetologist with whom they live happily for an all-to-brief-time. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Dear Customer,
If you have picked up this sheet, you have probably not read the warning so clearly outlined in my prior message. This story may seem cheery at first, when the Baudelaire orphans spend time in the company of some interesting reptiles and a giddy uncle. But don’t be fooled.
The three siblings endure a car accident, a terrible odour, a deadly serpent, a long knife, a large brass reading lamp and the reappearance of a person they’d hoped never to see again.
I have made a solemn vow to present this information to the public, but there is nothing stopping you from tearing up this paper and pretending you’ve never heard of this CD. Then you can sell something that is less unpleasant.
With all due respect, Lemony Snicket

--This text refers to the Unknown Binding edition.

Lemony Snicket has spent several eras researching the travails of the Baudelaire orphans. During his spare time, he gathers evidence and is considered something of an expert by leading authorities. Lemony Snicket published his first book in 1999 and has not had a good night's sleep since. To his horror and dismay, he has no wife or children, only enemies, associates, and the occasional loyal manservant. Lemony Snicket's extended family, if they were alive, would describe him as a distinguished scholar, an amateur connoisseur, and an outright gentleman. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.