Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1)

The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1)
The Bad Beginning - A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1
Author: Lemony Snicket
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 r...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780064407663
ISBN-10: 0064407667
Publication Date: 8/25/1999
Pages: 176
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 590

3.8 stars, based on 590 ratings
Publisher: HarperCollins
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

AimeeM avatar 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.
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
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.
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.
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on
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.
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!
Read All 102 Book Reviews of "The Bad Beginning A Series of Unfortunate Events Bk 1"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Thought it was depressing - not in a fun way but in a bit of a sick way.
althea avatar reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 774 more book reviews
Really not that "unpleasant" at all. Rather, pretty much firmly in the genre of childrens' stories about disenfranchised orphans having to fight for their rights.

Nothing much terribly disturbing - a very light-hearted tone.
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
great book! i loved it good fast read and keeps youo wanting to read the rest of the series. love them!!!!!
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on
A fun tale, but a little darker than I expected.
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
This book is the first in a series of twelve. It is a very exciting and intriguing story and a must have on every bookshelf. It is also one of three books that the Series of Unfortunate Events movie is based and gives much more detail to the story than the movie gives it credit for. Once you start this book you will not want to stop until you're finished.
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on
It was good when I was in 5th grade...that's all I'll say
areadingwoman avatar reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 30 more book reviews
I read this as an adult who loved Harry (and teen fiction in general). I was surprised at how popular they are among adults but how low-level they are written. I think they'd be good for kids, but we teen-fiction-loving adults are out of luck.
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
This is a very inventive children's book. Three siblings lose their parents and home in a fire and have to move in with an abusive man who wants to claim their inheritance. It tells of the adventures they have and the story is continued in a series.
buzzby avatar reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 6062 more book reviews
One of my most lethargic (and smartest) 4th grade students really enjoyed this book (he actually smiled) because "nothing good ever happens in the story." He made it to book 3 before he gave up.
havan avatar reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 138 more book reviews
I'm not sure why this schadenfreude for the pre-clearasil set has become so popular but then I never understood the overwhelming popularity of the Harry Potter books. (I was whelmed but not overly so)

This book has it's moments but is dark without the underlying sense that "all will come right in the end" that one gets from other children's books of this type. I particularly liked Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book but in many ways this story is darker, bleaker and less hopeful than that.

I've often thought that younger children can be quite savage in some ways and this book has an appeal to a savage mind. No orphans were harmed in the telling of this tale so I'm guessing that it is acceptable reading for such children but I feel that in some ways it's a surrender to our baser urges and should be discouraged.

I'm a completist and I may read more of this series to fill out my knowledge but I'm NOT sold that this book deserves the popularity that it has gained.
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Love The Bad Beginning. This book is so much fun. If you have a child who does not like to read, sit down and read this book with them. Not only will they be hooked, you will be too! I use this book in my class, the kids love it and then want to go on and read the other 12 books in the series. I even have other teachers hooked on the books. This is a must read, grades 5th and up are sure to enjoy it.
awesomelymle avatar reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on
I read these books when I was younger and decided to give them a try when they were recommended to me. I understood so much more now that i'm older. And I cried just a little at the poor misfortune these orphans have come upon. It is a wonderful series but So sad.
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
A wonderful book for children.
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 210 more book reviews
Lemony snicket is a fabulous author.
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
wonderful!
reviewed The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
one of the best book series ever!

Book Wiki

Common Title
People/Characters
Violet Baudelaire (Primary Character)
Klaus Baudelaire (Primary Character)
Sunny Baudelaire (Primary Character)
Count Olaf (Primary Character)

Genres: