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

Reader reviewed by maram

it was a good book i loved it. its really sad how there parents die and leave them to live with the evil count olaf.

my favourtie part would have to be when they make count olaf pasta and there cooking it with all differnt sorts of pasta. when they serve the food the assistants love it but count olaf requested meat loaf so he hates it.

red it many times and stil enjoy it to this day

Reader reviewed by Brie

This is a GREAT book! I loved it a lot.It's about 3 kids, Violet,Claude, and Sunny, whose parents die in a fire. They are then told they are going to live with a man they have never met named Count Olaf. They arrive at his house sad and scared. The man is strange and horribly mean. He treats the kids awfully. They soon notice an eye on his ankle. After numerous bad experiences, the kids are sent to different homes, but "different" strange people keep showing up and making matters worse. And, what did "all these people" have in common? An eye on their ankle. This is a GREAT book, I recommend it to everyone.

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 Nicki

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are three wealthy, clever, fortunate children whose parents just died in a tragic fire. The story doesnt stop going down hill from there, in fact it has only just begun. From the night of their parents death to the day they stand at Count Olafs doorstep each and every passing day gets worst. They are forced by Count Olaf to cook, clean, marry, and watch him get close enough to stealing their fortune. Hes evil wretched man who enjoys making them miserable while attempting to steal their fortune. However he very much under estimates their intelligence because Violet Baudelaire would not marry that wretched man if he were the last man on Earth. She knew if she signed the wedding papers with her left hand she would fool him. Then, Count Olaf being the self center bragger he is told everyone in the room the wedding was real, however Violet explains it is not a valid marriage because she signed with her left hand therefore he cant get their fortune. Mean while the police are coming, so Count Olaf and his evil crew run out of the theatre and make a get away. The story ends with the Baudelaire an orphan going back to Mr. Poes house and ready to go to a new home.

Reader reviewed by readerCT404

The very sad beginning with the confirmity of a very sad ending. These books may be intrigiung but they are hopeless in the way you know that the whole story will be forever hopeless for the Bauldilare children. It is hopeless that bafoon Olaf will ever get them and their fortune. And it is hopeless that the children will ever find happiness. And it is hopeless that the Boulilare children will ever be at peace. So in conclusion,as you may tell, they book is utterly hopeless.

Reader reviewed by Mary

Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are in for a nasty surprise when their house is burned down with their parents inside. This unfortunate event is followed by many others as they are forced to live with Count Olaf, a vulgar bad with queer habits.


The series are queer yet strangely likeable and leave an impression on the reader. It is definitely a new take on children literature. There are grisly murders, odd characters and much more that make for an awesome book.

Reader reviewed by K.P.P.

This book was a good introduction to the Series, drawing the readers in and explained the characters very well by the way they acted. The book was a little confusing when Count Olaf started to plot his evil plans but the idea of the book is original and most authors wouldn't have thought of it.

Reader reviewed by vicky

The first book in the series, is possibly the most enjoyable. The tale of three children, orphaned and sent to live with a horrid Uncle - obsessed with having their fortune as his own.

It doesn't sound as though it should be any good, it sounds like a thousand other books - but there's something about the way Lemony Snicket (Real name Mr. Daniel Handler) presents it that makes it enjoyable.

He makes sure that it will appeal to both children and adults - he explains away the bigger words in a way that is a) informative to the young children and humerous for older readers.

In Count Olaf, we have a pantomime vilain, evil in that over the top way that's purely and simply fun - in fact the whole book feels like a "modern fairytale"

The first book is the best of the series, before the readers suspension of disbelief is pushed too far, but they are still interesting reads - so definately follow up on this series.

If you're just that bit to old for these books, but not ready to delve into full fledged horror, The Saga Of Darren Shan is possibly the next step for you.

Reader reviewed by Hinge_Pin

I would definatly have to disagree with anyone who didn't like to book. I think that it was a wonderful prelude to the rest of the series. Thank all things good and wonderful that i don't have to live with Count Olaf. Wonderful start. It really got down into the meat of what could happen being an orphan. Keep em coming Lemony!

Reader reviewed by Lauren

This book is about Sunny, Klaus, and Violet who are orphans. (Their parents died in a horrible fire.) They get to go leve with Count Olaf - a miserble man- they try not to be fazed with his apperance and attitude. they soon learn he just wanted them to do his chores and try to get thier fortante my marrying Violet. This book was amazing leaving you craving to find out more about thier story.