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

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.

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.

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.

i gave it to my niece for christmas she enjoyed the book

I liked it! They are actually a bit educational (I learned a few words myself), and the mystery is so frustrating-the author only reveals some of it. The series has to be read in order, and if you want to know (almost) everything, the two additional books are good. 10 and up.

This is a great book for children to read.