So unlike most people my age, I never read the
Series of Unfortunate Events books. I saw the
movie that came out in 2004, which led me to buying the first book, but I never finished it. I was still in my Harry Potter craze, and Unfortunate Events did not compare. Last year, when the
Netflix series was released, I watched it. I was eager to see how it compared to the movie, even though it had been over a decade since I've seen it, and I love
Neil Patrick Harris. I loved it, so again, I bought the box set of the first three books, and they've been sitting there. Until last week that is. I was extremely behind on my
2018 Reading Challenge, and I wanted to not only catch up, I wanted to get ahead. So how better to get ahead than read a thirteen short books aimed at 8-12 year olds? I knew I would enjoy it, and I was eager to see how it compared. I also told myself that I would watch season two of the Netflix series until I read the books, so that was a good incentive. Little did I know, I would devour the books, instantly picking up the next one upon finishing the current one.
The Bad Beginning: Book the First
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| (Source: Kelsey Darling) |
One sunless day, the Baudelaire children go to Briny Beach, only to be interrupted by Mr. Poe who tells them that the Baudelaire mansion has burned to the ground and their parents perished in the fire, officially making them orphans. Mr. Poe has been put in charge of the Baudelaire's and their fortune, which will go to the eldest Baudelaire, Violet, when she comes of age. At the time of the fire, Violet is 14, Klaus is 12, and Sunny is an infant. Each of them have unique talents. Violet is an inventor and loves finding creative ways of making life easier. Klaus is a researcher and reader. He spends his time learning anything and everything about a subject. And Sunny, despite being young, has four incredibly sharp teeth and loves to bite things. The qualities come in handy when they are placed under the care of Count Olaf, a vile and despicable person who likes to pretend he's a brilliant actor, but in reality, is just a villain who wants the Baudelaire fortune more than anything else in the world. He has one long eyebrow instead of two, and the tattoo of an eye on his left ankle; and the children find this eye all over his creepy and dirty house. He gives them the worst living conditions possible, forces them to do chores that are way beyond age appropriate, especially for Sunny, makes demeaning comments towards them, and plots to steal their fortune. He also has a troupe of "actors" that help in making the children as uncomfortable as possible, and assist in his most sinister of plans at the end of the novel. Of course, only the children see this. Every time they reach out to an adult, they are more or less brushed aside. It is not until Count Olaf makes them preform in a play entitled "The Marvelous Marriage" where Violet plays the bride, do the adults learn that he actually married Violet and not pretend married her, and now has control of their fortune. But thanks to the Baudelaire's wits and sharp teeth, Violet is able to escape a miserable marriage. Unfortunately for the Baudelaire's, this is not the last time that Count Olaf will attempt to ruin their lives as he escapes capture and is on the run.
Rating: 7/10
The Reptile Room: Book the Second
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| (Source: Kelsey Darling) |
The recently orphaned Baudelaire's have escaped the clutches of Count Olaf and Mr. Poe has found them a more suitable guardian, Dr. Montgomery Montgomery, or to the Baudelaire's Uncle Monty. Uncle Monty is a herpetologist and has dedicated his life to learning about reptiles, which is why he has a huge glass room filled with all of his reptilian friends. Uncle Monty has an obvious love for the Baudelaire's and treats them much better than Olaf, and for once, they think that it may be possible to be happy again after the loss of their parents. But just as Olaf promised, he found the Baudelaire's, and he has disguised himself as Stephano, Uncle Monty's new assistant. The Baudelaire's aren't fooled one bit and they try to convey their knowledge to Uncle Monty. When they do, Uncle Monty tells them that he already knows what's up, and at first, the children are excited to be believed, but unfortunately for them, Uncle Monty just believes that Stephano is a spy from the Herpetological Society trying to find out what he can about Monty's newest discovery, the Extremely Deadly Viper. While this isn't exactly what they want to hear, they think it will work out for them. Uncle Monty has planned a trip for them to go to Peru, and will tell Stephano he needs him to stay behind. If only that had worked, the Baudelaire's might have escaped Count Olaf, and Monty might have escaped death. But instead, Monty died, and Stephano tried his hardest to get the children to Peru. Luckily, Mr. Poe was stopping by and
literally ran into their car in the driveway. However, by the time the children are able to use inventions, research, and biting to convince Poe that Stephano is really Count Olaf in disguise, Olaf and his associate are on the run again, but not before vowing to get the Baudelaire fortune.
Rating: 8/10
The Wide Window: Book the Third
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| (Source: Kelsey Darling) |
Once again, Mr. Poe has found a new guardian for the Baudelaire's; this time in the somewhat capable hands of Josephine Anwhistle, or as she asks the Baudelaire's to call her, Aunt Josephine. While she tries her best by giving the Baudelaire's gifts that are less than ideal, she isn't the best guardian because she is afraid of
everything. She doesn't turn on lights because of electricity; she doesn't turn on the stove because it could explode, and she puts cans in front of windows and doors in case a burglar breaks in during the night, she can be warned. But she does have a passion for grammar, and an entire library filled with books on the subject. One would think that a woman with a fear of everything, including realtors, that she would not fall for a disguise of Count Olaf's, but you would be wrong. This time, he is dressed up as Captain Sham, a man who lost his leg to the Lachrymose Leeches, the same leeches who took the life of Josephine's husband Ike, and is able to woo her. However, while the children are in their room trying to think of a way to expose Olaf, they hear a crash, run down stairs, and learn that Aunt Josephine has jumped from the window in her library into the depths of Lake Lachrymose, but not before writing a suicide note that places the Baudelaire's in the care of Captain Sham. But something is off about the note, and thanks to Klaus's keen eye, he is able to detect that there is a hidden message. While Mr. Poe is signing the children over to Captain Sham, the Baudelaire's are traveling across Lake Lachrymose during a hurricane in hopes of finding Josephine in a cave, which they do. However, on their way back across the lake, the children's boat is attacked by the Lachrymose Leeches because Josephine has recently eaten a banana. When all hope seems lost, a boat approaches, but not any boat. It is the boat of Capitan Sham. Before returning to shore, he is able to push Josephine back into the water and to her death, and he is certain he will be able to get the Baudelaire fortune this time. Once they reach the dock, they meet Mr. Poe, who scolds the children for going out into the water and does not believe for one second that the Capitan and Olaf are one in the same, but luckily, Sunny is able to bite the peg leg of Capitan Sham, exposing the tattoo of the eye on his ankle that is one of his distinguishing marks. Despite being discovered, Olaf once again escapes capture, and the Baudelaire's must once again find a new home and fear that Olaf will show himself again.
Rating: 8/10
I was a bit underwhelmed with the first three books, at least when they compared to the Netflix series. Anyone who's seen the series knows that they very quickly begin to discuss the Baudelaire's parents involvement in a secret society which ultimately led to their deaths. This is not the case in the books, and I found myself asking "Why is all of this happening? Did they add that plot line to the Netflix series?" But I found them easy enough and enjoyable reads to continue, and by Book the Fifth, was hooked.
I do love Lemony Snicket's dry humor and sarcasm as he defines words and phrases and makes comparisons. I feel like he and I would be good friends. I know that he is warning the reader for their own good, but as an adult, I find the humor in it. Or maybe I'm just that morbid.
Overall, the books are enjoyable. I wish I had given them more of a chance when I was younger, but I think this is what I needed right now. I cannot wait to finish the series and see how it all plays out. I also can't wait to watch season two on Netflix.
Rating: 8/10
Series:
A Series of Unfortunate Events (13 books)
Author:
Lemony Snicket
Genres: Fiction, Children's, Fantasy
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