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"Not such a bad beginning after all or is it?"

Now I know this series is touted as extremely unpleasant and depressing books so with that in mind I delved into the first one. I have to admit I couldn't believe I not only read it but avidly and quickly because I could not wait to immediately start the second one upon finishing the first.

The first book begins the story of the three Baudelaire siblings. Violet is 14, Klaus a little more than 12 and Sunny just a tiny toddler with four very sharp teeth. They are walking along the beach when they notice a figure walking towards them. When he gets close enough they realize it is Mr. Poe, their parents' friend and banker who takes care of their rather large fortune. He has very bad news. Their parents and home have been ravaged by fire. There's nothing left and they have to go live with relatives. Mr. Poe tells them that their parents specifically states in their will that they were to live with relatives. The problem is finding relatives that live close.

The Baudelaire children live for a while with the Poes and are cramped in one room until Mr. Poe tells them they are to live with Count Olaf, one of their distant relatives.

They all have no way of knowing how awful Count Olaf is and how he only wants their vast fortune for himself. There they still have to live in one filthy room and have to do horrid chores for the Count while he tries to plot how to attain their fortune. Whatever will they do to get out of this horrid situation? It all seems so hopeless.

My almost ten year old daughter and I are reading this series with great interest. We both feel for the poor Baudelaire children and hope that they will figure a way out of their horrible situation. We are anxious to see what the next book will bring for these poor rich children who are in quite the helpless condition. Lemony Snicket brings new meaning to the words unhappy, unpleasant and nasty and I mean that in the most complimentary way!

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted December 6, 2004

Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted November 15, 2006

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