Book Review - A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning
Colin
http://www.colingregorypalmer.net/books/reviews/snicket-a-series-of-unfortunate-events-the-bad-beginning.html
And my other book reviews can be found here:
http://www.colingregorypalmer.net/books/
Feed back is welcome. : )
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A Series of Unfortunate Events begins with the promise of an unhappy
ending. "I'm sorry to tell you this," says Snicket, "but that is how
the story goes."
This unusual opening to a childrens' book hooked me.
The book focuses on the three Baudelaire siblings: Violet (14),
Klaus(12), and Sunny (1?). Their parents die in a fire and the
childrens' sizable inheritance is held in trust by the bank. The
Baudelaires are sent to live with their nearest relative, and so
begins the series of unfortunate events.
There aren't any twists in this book. The story is simple: the
children must protect their fortune from a conniving relative. The
directness of this story is a strong point rather than a weakness.
Lemony Snicket has a talent for telling much with few words; his
constant gloom as the narrator makes the story paradoxically fun and
entertaining.
The Baudelaires have a restrained, polite, and very British manner
about them. The children say one thing, but Snicket lets us know what
they really think. This makes them very likable characters.
A Series of Unfortunate Events inspired me to add a new category to my
rating system: Underground Approved. This is a book that I could pick
up and put down at any page without interrupting the flow. Perfect
for commutes on the tube. Plus the book's small size makes it easy to
carry. I will certainly take the next adventures of the Baudelaires
on my travels around London.
Copyright (c) 2003 Colin Gregory Palmer
lvi...@yahoo.com
According to Colin <C...@ColinGregoryPalmer.net>:
:A Series of Unfortunate Events begins with the promise of an unhappy
:ending.
Does the series hold up? There are , according to
http://www.lemonysnicket.com/ , 10 books, an autobiography, and
a calendar, at the very least.
Some authors seem to run out of ideas after the first couple or three
volumes of a series. Others seem to always come up with interesting
twists.
Anyone familar with this series have a personal perspective on whether
this is a series that is going to last?
--
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Even if explicitly stated to the contrary, nothing in this posting
should be construed as representing my employer's opinions.
<URL: mailto:lvi...@yahoo.com > <URL: http://www.purl.org/NET/lvirden/ >
Gopi Sundaram
> Does the series hold up? There are , according to
> http://www.lemonysnicket.com/ , 10 books, an autobiography, and
> a calendar, at the very least.
The next in the series in coming out later this month.
> Anyone familar with this series have a personal perspective on whether
> this is a series that is going to last?
The first book set the stage. The next five books were pretty much the
same book. It's only after that that things have finally started to move
along.
The books are still a joy to read for adults; I doubt he children get
all the literary allusions he makes.
r...@rosemarylake.com
>This review can be found here:
>http://www.colingregorypalmer.net/books/reviews/snicket-a-series-of-unfortunate-events-the-bad-beginning.html
/snip/
>A Series of Unfortunate Events inspired me to add a new category to my
>rating system: Underground Approved. This is a book that I could pick
>up and put down at any page without interrupting the flow. Perfect
>for commutes on the tube.
I like that term! What makes the difference, do you think?
Rosemary --
http://www.rosemarylake.com
fairy tales online