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

Reader reviewed by mayu

I really liked this book. Kinda a sad story story, although the siblings have each other the people around them lie and cheat them in order to get to them but with the love they have for each other and their quick thinking and skills they escape the grip of the evil people that surrounds them. This series is going to be a great series.

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???

After a long day I wanted to read but I wanted something light, and entertaining. I opted for a kid’s book, The Bad Beginning, thinking that if I enjoyed it I would have several more books in this series to read after days like today. I don’t know how I felt about the book. I didn’t hate it. I didn’t like it.

I didn’t have a difficult time with it because of the awful events happening to children or because Count Olaf was a horrid man. I think it was mostly because I knew that even as a child I would have been insulted by the defining every “difficult” word. I mean I was reading books like The Giver and Princess Diaries as a kindergartener because I found reading fun. I can see the appeal for certain types of kids but as a kid I wouldn’t have liked it. The story behind that is one that I think could have been great but was effectively ruined by the annoying and constant definitions.

And yet, despite giving such a low rating and finding the style of writing quite irritating, I still do want to read the second book in the series. I guess that speaks on how much I could have loved the story without its glaring flaw.

Reader reviewed by Dominique

The Baudelaire children, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are sent to live with their new guardian, Count Olaf, after their parents die in a fire. But all Count Olaf wants is the Baudelaire wealth. Will Violet, Klaus, and Sunny thwart the Count's plans and save their family fortune?

Although this book was quite a good book, I thought the ending was kind of lame. How the orphans go about solving their troubles was quite interesting, but in the end it seemed too easy for the "bad guys" to get away.

Reader reviewed by Kaylee

I only really liked this book because it was the first in the series. I tried to read the whole series after but sadly, I couldnt finish it because it was all way to alike. Its like Lemony Snickett couldn't think of anymore ideas, so all the books sound like one another. The first book was the only book that I found interesting, and yet it was only 3 star worthy.  An interesting idea for a book, yes, but each story would be better if it had a different plot then the last.

Reader reviewed by Taylor

If you've read this book, or any of the other ones from the series then I know you are looking foward to the movie that's about to come out starring Jim Carrey. If you haven't read the book thats ok but you are very odd. The book itself is about 3 rich children who's parents were killed in a fire (accident or murder?) and were left the money. Taken in by a very distant relative who is barely and not really legally related to them they struggle to outwit and solve the mysteries around them. Do they live or do they die? Find out when you read the book!

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 safia

This book is kinda boring and drawn out. It is about the Baudelaire children who became orphans after their parents died in a house fire. They are sent to live with a relative, Count Olaf. He turns out to be a horrible person and just wants the huge Baudelaire fortune that was given to the kids when the parents died.

It is a horrible depressing read. Just read the warning at the back of the book.

***However, this series does start getting intersting around book 5. So I declare it worth reading!!***

Reader reviewed by FlooCrookshanks

Definitely my least favourite of the series, but it's worth reading just so you can move on and get to the good stuff. It doesn't take long to read either (if you're an older reader, at least) so I suggest you plow through it and move on.

Is there really any point in summarising the plot? I'm sure it's been done dozens of times in other reviews here.

Three siblings' parents die in a fire and they are passed on to the care of a creepy bloke called Count Olaf who just wants their money.

Brilliant, strong, eccentric characters make the series worth the read. I know some people are often put off by the "simple" writing-style (with it being written for children and all), but if you look past that it really is very funny. (Intentionally so.)

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!