“It’s not Disney,” explained one child upon being asked why he liked Lemony Snickett’s dark and dismal Series of Unfortunate Events. Kids seem to love this book series about the three Baudelaire children – Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – whose parents died tragically in a fire and who spend most of their time trying to evade the evil Count Olaf, a master of disguises who plots to steal the orphan’s fortune. Violet is the oldest with a knack for inventing, Klaus the younger boy who loves to read and study, and Sunny, the baby with 4 exceptionally strong and sharp teeth. The books in the series have predictable plots. In each, Mr. Poe, the Baudelaire’s hapless executor, appoints a guardian who is often a distant relative of the children who proves to be incapable of keeping Count Olaf away. The adults in the stories are all fooled by the Count’s disguises and don’t listen to the children who are never fooled. It’s up to Violet, Klaus, and Sunny to figure out the Count’s nefarious plan before he can implement it and abscond with the children. It always takes the three kids working together to foil the Count’s plans.
The Series of Unfortunate Events is different from most other children’s books in that people die and miserable things are done to the Baudelaires and their friends. All the while the author is warning the reader that if you are looking for a happy ending, you need to go somewhere else. Many parents are understandably concerned that the series is too dark for their children, but kids I know love these books. Through ingenuity, courage, and coordinated effort, the Baudelaires always manage to escape from Count Olaf’s darkest efforts to capture or hurt them.
From the author:
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
Links:
A Series of Unfortunate Events – DVD – film starring Jim Carrey as the evil Count Olaf.
I am 13 and love the book series and movie. It is a good series for kids my age because it shows that the world isn’t always exactly nice. I think this is very important to learn. This series is good for kids ages 7-14, but no younger as it is too dark and no older as it may get tiring.
I am 12 I’v been reading the lemony snicket series for almost a year now. I think the series is great for any one around my age. One day my friend handed me (The Bad Begining) he did not say anything but I thought I should start reading the series. I enjoy making book reports on these books. The Lemony Snicket series is way better than the Harry Potter series and lemony snicket does not make his books over 1000 pages long. That’s why I like the Lemony Snicket series.
I am 12 years old and i had to look for a book for my book report so i chose to try i new book which was the bad beginning. I love the book in the series. Their great for anyone around my age. Interesting books with just the wright amount of pages. I love those books!!!!
Love the book series, great for ages 7-14. It’s important to read them in order, lots of my friends read the series backwards or in order of what the library had. DON’T DO IT!!!! The series is tons better in order. I know people who don’t like the series because the pattern is boring. Get to a guardian, they see Count Olaf, guardian won’t listen, they narrowly escape. This is true, it’s the same in every book, but to me that’s the fun of it!
Love the website, Elise! Cooking and reading, PERFECT!
Hi I’m 15 and i enjoy the books very much…. i think they should be under the catagory of TEEN because there is a lot of death, murder and revenge. This may upset younger children.
It’s a unique series far from the type children read these days. Figuratively, I’m not a fan of witches and wizards and potions any longer. I love these books. They’re gothic and has a type of narration that no other author can beat. I guess this is so far one of the best children’s series I had ever read next in line to J.R.R. Tolkien and the author of classics such as the Wizard of Oz and Lewis Caroll.
I am 11 and i love the series of unfortunate events. I recommend this boo for all readers from the age of 8-15. The movie isn’t much like the book but is still interesting. I prefer this book over any other book including harry potter.
A series of unfortunate events is the best book series in the world! My favorite is The Reptile Room , TheWide Window , and The Miserable Mill. Lemony Snicket is a great author. I recmmend these books to anyone who can read. I am 9 years old.
I love the “A Series of the unfrotunate events”!!!!It’s just amazing.