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.

I really enjoyed this. It was a nice, light read that took about an hour and it was very entertaining. Definitely something that can be enjoyed by adults, even if only as "brain sorbet."

my 9 year old read this book in 2 days and loved it he is totally anticipating getting the next book in the series!

I devoured books 1 & 2 in one weekend and can't wait to get the rest of the series. The Jim Carrey movie was based on the first three books. Read more at http://www.lemonysnicket.com

Some kids books are entertaining for adults as well. This is not one of them. It's just too juvenile and predictable. Dull to read. This is the one book I'd recommend watching the movie instead and be done with the whole series unless you're 6 years old.

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.

if you're in the 4th-6th grade or know someone who is then this book is a definite....it has great vocab and definitions throughout the book to help you understand Adults and feelings. It also has cool pictures and its real easy to read.

The first in the story of the orphan children who continue to have fall into bad circumstances. It is a good easy read which both children and adults can enjoy. It ropes you in and I look forward to the next chapter in the series.

The first book of its series. A great read and in my opinion much better than the movie! It is a brand new book!

If you have watched the movie the book is way better the movie clumps the first four books into the movie.

This book is well-written and amusing. Lemony Snicket does a fine job with his story-telling.

This book along with the rest of the series is a very good light read for an adult or attention grabber for any 3-5th grader. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series.

I really liked this book, loved Sunny!

First book of the series.

First in the series.

Fun to read, can be enjoyed by children and adults.

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

The series ROCKS.
MY whole family loves these books.

this book is brand new never been read

this is a great series!