Aimee M. (AimeeM) reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 124 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 14
Some people have said that "A Series of Unfortunate Events" is stupid and boring. These people clearly missed the point of the series.
Admittedly the story line itself doesn't sound all that great: three kids who have a very sad life, and it keeps getting worse.
But the real thrill in the book is how the author weaves this complicated, and tangled mystery throughout, leaving just enough clues to keep you interested. The minute you solve one mystery, three more open up! It is absolutely brilliant! The ones who call this series 'boring' clearly missed the complex subtleties in the story.
The main reason I love this series is the author's way with words. Part of the clues he weaves throughout the books involve word usage. He also occasionally breaks the rules of how a book is written. (For example, in one chapter you have to hold the book up to a mirror to see what it says!) There is a surprise that is wholly unique in each and every book.
And though it may seem strange, I found the series encouraging. The reality is, all of our lives are a bit unfortunate (some more than others) and the books' real moral is how people can overcome all obstacles, even the permanent ones, by maintaining their own self-worth.
This is a very sophisticated satirical series.
Admittedly the story line itself doesn't sound all that great: three kids who have a very sad life, and it keeps getting worse.
But the real thrill in the book is how the author weaves this complicated, and tangled mystery throughout, leaving just enough clues to keep you interested. The minute you solve one mystery, three more open up! It is absolutely brilliant! The ones who call this series 'boring' clearly missed the complex subtleties in the story.
The main reason I love this series is the author's way with words. Part of the clues he weaves throughout the books involve word usage. He also occasionally breaks the rules of how a book is written. (For example, in one chapter you have to hold the book up to a mirror to see what it says!) There is a surprise that is wholly unique in each and every book.
And though it may seem strange, I found the series encouraging. The reality is, all of our lives are a bit unfortunate (some more than others) and the books' real moral is how people can overcome all obstacles, even the permanent ones, by maintaining their own self-worth.
This is a very sophisticated satirical series.
Helpful Score: 6
As an adult, I didn't find this book or this series nearly as interesting as some of the others in this genre. That aside, I have little doubt that this is perhaps the best of the genre for children. The writing and characters are interesting, and the author takes an ingenious approach toward finding the illusive balance between accessible and challenging vocabulary. Also, each book is only an hour or two long when read at an adult pace, which I consider to be a good length for younger readers. Recommended for getting any child interested in reading novel-length texts.
Kathy S. (jjmjgj) reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 273 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
For the longest time, I hesitated to try this. It looked so dire and black, I just didn't think it was something we should spend time/money/energy on.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the stories are life-affirming. And intelligent. They revolve around themes of good vs. evil, and even show how apathy can allow evil to take the upper hand. And the bonus of it was that my reluctant reader FINALLY got hooked on reading!!
The author has an incredible sense of humor that even I found entertaining. I highly recommend this series.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the stories are life-affirming. And intelligent. They revolve around themes of good vs. evil, and even show how apathy can allow evil to take the upper hand. And the bonus of it was that my reluctant reader FINALLY got hooked on reading!!
The author has an incredible sense of humor that even I found entertaining. I highly recommend this series.
Helpful Score: 3
this is one of my favorite books ever.
lemony snicket is very humorous, and gives you the meaning of very many big words without making you feel stupid or like you're being given a lesson.
snicket knows how to draw out a story without making you upset, but just stretching the suspense. i absolutely love the unfortunate events series.
lemony snicket is very humorous, and gives you the meaning of very many big words without making you feel stupid or like you're being given a lesson.
snicket knows how to draw out a story without making you upset, but just stretching the suspense. i absolutely love the unfortunate events series.
Shannon Y. (dolphinlover) reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 209 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
my 9 year old read this book in 2 days and loved it he is totally anticipating getting the next book in the series!
