Aimee M. (AimeeM) reviewed on 3/18/2007 + 124 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 4

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.

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