Lost in a Good Book

Published: April 24th 2003
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 259
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

Dear Reader,
You have undoubtedly picked up this book by mistake, so please put it down. Nobody in their right mind would read this particular book about the lives of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire on purpose, because each dismal moment of their stay in the village of V.F.D. has been faithfully and dreadfully recorded in these pages. I can think of no single reason why anyone would want to open a book containing such unpleasant matters as migrating crows, an angry mob, a newspaper headline, the arrest of innocent people, the Deluxe Cell, and some very strange hats. It is my solemn and sacred occupation to research each detail of the Baudelaire children’s lives and write them all down, but you may prefer to do some other solemn and sacred thing, such as reading another book instead.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket

Well now we seem to have gotten into a proper swing of things. Yes Snicket keeps up the same narration and writing style in some aspects, but the story gets a lot better. It has widened to focus beyond the Baudelaire’s personally and more characters and environments are introduced are part of the wider mystery. After being moved on from the previous guardians, and under the illusion it takes a village to raise a child, the three siblings are being looked after by a strange village with bizarre characters and a very strange list of laws. Snicket warns us that this books contains many unpleasant matters such as migrating crows, an angry mob, a newspaper headline, the arrest of innocent people, the Deluxe Cell, and some very strange hats. This is pretty much the case. Absurdities follow these children and the village is no exception. The difference here it the fact there are rescue missions and escape plots, hints and clues, as well as more details about the circumstances and life of the man whose job it was to record this unfortunate tale.

The Vile Village is the seventh book in the series and while very odd it wasn’t bad. The villagers are idiotic but in a good way. They are humourously daft and so intent of obeying the rules they end up worse for it. Their ignorance and neglect of the children this time isn’t just for plot. Previously the adults seems annoyingly vague and oblivious to the kids to the point it was a little unbelievable in the scheme of things, however this time you actually believe these adults are so wrapped up in their village that they don’t care for the kids.

Now that Snicket has introduced the intruge factor and the mysterious ‘VFD’, the story turns to focus on discovering this. Through the narrative we follow the siblings as they try and discover more about what ‘VFD’ means, as well the reappearance of the orphan triplets Duncan and Isadora (who where introduced in The Austere Academy). With more inventing and thinking and biting things are somewhat concluded, if not exposed at best. The slight issue with these books (among the other issues) is that it is very hard to discuss the next book without ruining the story of the previous one. Certainly Snicket likes to do that himself, but now that there are actual clues and suspicious circumstances occurring we are finally given much desired structure and cliffhangers that carry on to the next in the series.

What has become really enjoyable is the fact that the story has become more traditional in the sense of structure, and like mystery stories we are able to read along looking for our own clues and trying to decipher meaning alongside the Baudelaire siblings. Snicket seems to have moved on from defining every word and phrase when he write, and he certainly isn’t giving away as much of the oncoming plot as he did in the earlier books which is a real joy. Now that there seems to be a nice continual flow and constructive narrative, the remaining books are looking to be shaping up nicely.

Published: July 29th 2003
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 259
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

In their most daring misadventure, the Baudelaire orphans are adopted by very, very rich people, whose penthouse apartment is located mysteriously close to the place where all their misfortune began. Even though their new home in the city is fancy, and the children are clever and charming, I′m sorry to say that still, the unlucky orphans will encounter more disaster and woe. In fact, in this sixth book in A Series of Unfortunate Events, the children will experience a darkened staircase, a red herring, an auction, parsley soda, some friends in a dire situation, a secret passageway, and pinstripe suits.

I entered into book six with optimism. After the last few books I was intent on embracing the quirky and jovial manner in which Snicket address his readers and warns them from his nasty and worrisome book. I would take in the repetition and accept whatever happened. And I think I picked the best book to start doing that.

There is a greater continuity from the previous book than before. There is unfinished business outside of the Baudelaire children that flows into the narrative, which in turn adds more to the story. For the first time the new guardians of this book are a married couple, rich neighbourhood, fancy home, expensive things and unimportant priorities. There is a great obsession about obtaining and following what is “in” at the moment. As obscure and ridiculous as these “in” things are, it was a great reflection of the reality of people and their “in” obsessions, even today. The guardians are peculiar as always but not that bad, being a married couple you get two contrasting personalities and they balance out each other in terms of their level of ridiculousness, it is not even strange or surreal, it is just this wacky that is floating somewhere around the absurd region.

One aspect that I do like from Snicket is that throughout these books there are multiple references and chances to highlight a kids special talent which is never a bad thing. Whether it is inventing or reading, or even biting things, Snicket takes these talents and uses them for useful purposes and they help make a difference. It’s also taken this many books but I am finally just closing my eyes and accepting that despite being an infant, Sunny can do what any other person can do, even climbing ropes, so it isn’t a stand out annoyance as much. If we accept her as one of them then it doesn’t make my head hurt as much about she manages to do half the things she does.

There are new developments and twists as well through The Ersatz Elevator, but there are also some things you just have to accept no matter how insane or unrealistic. The underlying mystery and story has taken awhile to kick in, but now that it has you can involve yourself more in the story; they are not just variants of the same storyline like before. Being the sixth book, and having seven to go I hope they stay as engaging as this and not revert to the repetitive nature of the first few. And as much as you try and read them as their own stories, they are undoubtedly connected, and reading them together makes you realise the writing and narration a lot more. But Snicket seems to have changed his approach a little which I welcome and hope he maintains. I look forward to book number seven.

Published: February 25th 2000
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 214
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

Dear Reader,

If you have picked up this book with the hope of finding a simple and cheery tale, I’m afraid you have picked up the wrong book altogether. the story may seem cheery at first, when the Baudelaire children spend time in the company of some interesting reptiles and a giddy uncle, but don’t be fooled. If you know anything at all about the unlucky Baudelaire children, you already know that even pleasant events lead down the same road to misery. In fact, within the pages you now hold in your hands, the three siblings endure a car accident, a terrible smell, a deadly serpent, a long knife, a large brass reading lamp, and the re-appearance of a person they’d hoped never to see again. I am bound to record these tragic events, but you are free to put this book back on the shelf and seek something lighter.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket.

This was a good follow up to the first book, you can tell how the rest of the series will go, one unfortunate event after the other until it ends. I liked the story but there were a few more downsides than the first I’ll admit. The stopping to explain words that was a nice element in the first is now unfortunately a little annoying. After the first few chapters it didn’t seem to flow as well and it stood out to much and interrupted the sentence flow among other things. Perhaps the problem is (as it seems to be a reoccurring theme of late) I keep reading these books, aimed at primary school kids, as an adult. I know these words and I know these meanings so I don’t need them explained. But seeing as it worked in the first book, and Snicket managed to weave them comically and easily into the tale, somehow the second time they do not hold up as well so maybe it is not just me.

What was sad was the way Snicket foretells things. Sometimes it works, sometimes in books and stories you can foretell things and then you just have to read and wait for the why, how and when to bring it all together beautifully. For me Snicket’s announcement from the very first pages about the future events, no matter how vague, were a tad depressing. I do see though how his writing style of constantly reminding us about these unfortunate events and telling us we mustn’t think that these children were ever going to get a happy ending does kind of support his constant effort to quash any enjoyment you get from a character, especially when he keeps reminding you how doomed they are. And of course, when the book itself is called “The Reptile Room or, Murder!” (well the copy I have does), you kind of know where the story is heading sooner or later.

There is a greater presence of violence in the second book, and again everyone acts as this is all very acceptable even if it is a bit frightful. This is why you need to take notes sometimes while you read, especially if you are going to review it. If you don’t you forget the little gems and one liners that stand out and when you try to find them again it is a lost cause. This was one of my favourite lines regarding the take on violence and threats – “He would slit the throats of the Baudelaire orphans as easily as you or I might eat a small butter cookie.” Now that is a line that you would not be allowed to probably print now to protect the poor innocent minds of the dear kiddy winks. What no one realises though is this is the stuff they thrive on. They want to be fearful of the man with the knife and they want to be the children who try and outsmart the evil grownups in their world. This is why old kids books are great. I say old, the first one was released in 1999, it wasn’t that long ago.

Anyway. I did like Snicket’s two page long discussion, including one page consisting of just “ever” repeated, about playing with electrical sockets. This was just one of the little moral and handy lessons he included in his books, others being quick one liners about swearing, stealing (or as Snicket describes “casing the joint’) and lying.

The ending was sadder in this book mainly for the events and the children’s reactions. It also makes you think that every adult is stupid in this world and those poor children have no hope, but that is how Snicket likes it. No happy endings and he does it pretty well I must say.

Published: September 30th 1999
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 176
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

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

In light of Lemony Snicket’s birthday on the 28th I thought I would use the days leading up to review his well known series ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’. There are 13 in total but they are not overly time consuming to read. It is hard to say whether these books are better than the movie. The movie condensed the first three or four books into one movie so there wasn’t absolute justice done (is there ever), but also these books had their own issues that probably made it easy to watch the film. It probably depends, like most things, left up to the individual. I think Billy Connolly made the movie for me because Jim Carey certainly didn’t.

I liked this book. I enjoy reading books not necessarily for children, but that have children exposed to the dark side of the world. Dahl is also wonderful at this, children in unchildlike situations. I think we are underestimating children by sugar coating stories for them. I have to say Snicket does it slightly differently and not as well as Dahl, but there are the same intentions.

The way Snicket has written this first tale of unfortunate events speaks to the reader personally but also as if it were to a large audience which is very much like a storytelling manner. He also makes personal comments and explains the phrases and words he uses in context of his story. This makes you know he is aiming this at children, but he is not going to dumb it down for them either. It is very clever and he doesn’t treat the readers as ignorant or unworthy of scary tales that are, as it were, unfortunate.

The Bad Beginning is a good introduction to the situation and the characters. When an unfortunate event happens, the Baudelaire children are sent off to live with a mysterious relative and thus the adventure begins. We learn about the three children early on and we know what they like, what they are good at and little details about them that adds that little bit extra. Violet likes to invent, Klaus likes to research, and baby Sunny likes to bite things. There is a focus on these details that help throughout the story in working out what is going on which is clever if one pays attention.

It is a very interesting and well thought out idea that Snicket has created. It is very organised and calm and everyone is very straightforward through this book which was different. It by no means took away from the story or the suspense, but there is something odd and appealing about the calm nature these children handle things as each unfortunate event happens to them. They are mistreated and practically abused but Snicket brushes it off and the children are fed up but they are very accepting as well. This approach was new to me so it took a little getting used to but Snicket made no secrets about the nature of this book so it very much is a matter of it is what it is. This story, and the children within it, are resilient to the end with a hint of cunning, cleverness and surprise, always a good trait for children and books. Definitely makes you want to continue onto book two.