The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1)

Reader reviewed by Jessie

This story is sad from the beginning. But you get hooked on it. There are few books now adays that have this kind of sad irony. How often do you see the heroes of stories always lose? Not often.Usually it is happily ever after. And while we all somewhat enjoy the poor orphans misery we still root for them and hope that in the end they come out on top and it does not end with an unfortunate event. Because who really wants count Olaf to win???

Reader reviewed by Fiona Flamingo

The first of a series of wonderfully melancholy tales about a three kids who have lost everything. Their parents, their home. Yet Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire face the tryanny of their evil Uncle, Coutn Olaf togther as a united front.
The Series of Unfortunate events is orignal, captivating tale chronicling the lives of the Baudelaire and the mystery that surrounds their parents death.
This is an amazing book, enjoyed by children and adults alike!

Reader reviewed by chardiddlyarlie

This was a very good book. i found it really very funny and though definately not a light hearted read the baudelaires triumphed at the end. This is the story of 3 very interesting and intelligent children who are orphanned at a young age and how they have various different guardians, all of whom are very inefficient and are haunted by the villain count olaf. this is definately worth a read and i would give it a rating of 10/10.

Reader reviewed by Flak Monkey

Not written for the overly indulged and exceedingly sheltered suburban soccer brat, this manuscript appears to be written more for the youngster with a dubious attitude toward "happily ever after." I'm still trying to decide quite WHAT I think -- I acknowledge being appalled when insidious Count Olaf slapped Klaus, bound Sunny and attempted to marry 14 year old Violet. But it might give credibility to the child who understands powerlessness? Probably the intended audience has some experience along those lines? I thoroughly enjoyed the interweaving of vocabulary and definitions, Violet's "inventing" tendencies, Klaus's fascination with books, and the rather smarmy narrator conveys MUCH with his voices. This should appeal to an adolescent who might not buy the goody-two-shoes books directed at that generation. My friend who recommended this series says that the books become more clever language wise, and that the author "starts making his views known on things he finds absurd - for instance, people who follow trends, the "in" crowd, etc." So, I think I'll stick with Lemony for a bit.

Reader reviewed by CRYSTAL

THE BAD BEGINING,THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES,WHERE IT ALL STARTED.
THE BAUDELAIRE CHILDREN,VIOLET,KLAUS,AND SUNNY.VIOLET,LIKED TO INVENT THINGS,KLAUS LOVED TO READ,AND SUNNY LIKED TO WELL...BITE THINGS.
IT STARTED ONE NORMAL DAY AT THE BEACH,MR.POE,THEIR PARENTS BANKER,APPROACHED THE BAUDELAIRES WITH A WORRIED LOOK ON HIS FACE.
MR.POE SAYS"IM SORRY TO INFORM YOU OF AN EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE EVENT,YOUR PARENTS HAVE PERISHED IN A FIRE THAT HAS DESTROYED YOUR ENTIRE HOME."
SO,THE THREE BAUDELAIRES ARE SENT TO LIVE WITH THEIR CLOSEST RELATIVE,COUNT OLAF.NOW HE ISNT THE KIND OF GUY YOU'DE EVER WANT TO INVITE TO DINNER,HE IS TERRIBLE.HE CAUSES THE BAUDELAIRES GREAT MISFORTUNE AND HE IS THE REASON WHY THEIR IS NOW 11 TERRIBLE BOOKS IN THE SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS.

Reader reviewed by Carmen



I say that this is a book for everyone! It isn't just for children just because Daniel- I mean...Lemony Snicket wrote it for children.
START FROM THE BEGINNING!!!!!!!!!! Read 1-11 and write a review here! I have read all the books (so far) and they are great!

Reader reviewed by koolguy Aaron

I might be only 12 but I can dish out the facts. (Heres where I dish out).

The Bad Beginning is a wonderful book with action, mystery, and almost everythning you can think of.

One of main reasons why I like this is because the author tells you what each character is like. For an example. At the start of the book he gave the three Bauldare's personalitys. Also he discribes Count Olaf prettty well to, an evil man who tries to take a fourtune of three orphans.

But altogether the book is well done with a very good story. I find that the book dosen't deserve a 55 because I find it unrealistic in some parts , but it still deserves a 45 for pure goodness.

well thats all I got to say everybody. You can read thebook but read this first( and many more of my reviews) lol! BYE!

Reader reviewed by amber!

well i thought this book had an awesome layout. probably my favorite character was sunny just because the way she talked was so funny. i personally didnt like count olaf i though he was a very mean yet interesting uncle!

Reader reviewed by Calamander

This book is about siblings Sunny, Claus, and Violet Baudelair living with Count Olaf. Count Olaf is trying to steal the fortune the Baudilaries parents left behind. To do this he tries to marry Violet so he can enherit the money.... and you'll just have to read the book to find out what happens! I like this book because it is full of great mystery!

Reader reviewed by Kelly

This book was an easy and quick read (for me, at least). It is very entertaining. I felt so bad for the children and I hated Count Olaf...what a mean uncle! Once I started to read the book, I couldn't put it down. Now I can't wait to read the rest of the series!