The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (1999)

If you want a different sort of book, with some startling plot twists that will keep you intrigued, then . Lemony Snicket has the books for YOU.
My son has an awkward sense of taste, so when searching for a good book for him to read, and actually be interested in, my fingers stumbled upon the Lemony Snicket books. My son hates reading, but usually only when it s something that doesn t interest him. If you are not really into stories of Unfortunate Events then this is not a book for you. My son, however, is the type to be interested in the oddest of odd things!!!

Lemony Snicket is the Author of A Series of Unfortunate Events There are 10 books in the series, the first of which is called *The Bad Beginning*
The characters of this story are: Violet (14), Klaus (12) & Sunny (an infant, not much bigger than a boot) Baudelaire. They are known as the Baudelaire Orphans. This story starts out with some very devastating news for the children. They learn that their wealthy parents have just been killed in a terrible fire and their home is gone. They have lost all that they have, and their parents too. What are these poor children to do? (Other Characters: Mr. Poe, Count Olaf, Justice Strauss)

This book will take you through the trials and tribulations of these three young children. Surprising things will happen, and it just seems to get worse. Just when you think things will work out and be fine, and when you think the story will have a happy ending, you are in for yet another twist in the stories plot.

I don t want to give away the story line, because I just think this book was awesome. It has a total of 13 chapters (162 pages) I started reading this afternoon, and I ABSOLUTELY COULDN T put this book down. This story is sort of a mystery and it definitely keeps you interested. One chapter ends, and before you know it, you are well into the next chapter. Chapter after chapter it keeps you involved in the story, wanting to know more.

When my son came home from school, I told him a few enticing details, and he wanted me to start reading it to him immediately. (of course homework has to come first) He worked fairly quickly and got his homework finished, and I started to read . Chapter ONE .. Chapter TWO .. we stopped at Chapter 3, because he wanted to start watching the hockey game. We will start with Chapter 3 tomorrow. I don t even seem to mind reading it to him, even though I finished it in one day, now I ve started reading it again all in the same day . Wow!!! I found my son saying More mom .. He wanted to know more. He laughed, he frowned, and he said oh those poor, sad kids all within the first two chapters. This book doesn t waste any time at all bringing you into the story line.

Personally I am ready to begin with Book #2. Maybe that will be my fun for tomorrow. But obviously I can t start the 2nd book with my son, until we finish the first book. I can see that the second one picks up where the first leaves off .

Want to know more???? Go out and get the book, you will love the it.

We got the books in Toys R Us, paying $9.95 each. But I did see in Wal-mart earlier today that they have the Lemony Snicket books for $7.75 each. That is the cheapest I ve seen them. You can find them online as well. Amazon.com has them also but not for $7.75. So far, I think Wal-mart has the best price. They are Hard Cover books, and what I like most is that it s NOT filled with Colorful pictures, the few pictures that they do have are clearly pencil drawings, and even so, they aren t on every page, or even every other page for that matter, But more like ONCE per chapter if even that much. It really leaves it all up to your imagination as to how you picture things.

Now on the more critical side of things:
Yes the Lemony Snicket books seem to be a bit far fetched, and unrealistic, but as I say most kid s stories are. Was Nancy Drew always REALISTIC??? Just to see a so called baby that is only a little larger than a boot, being able to think, understand and talk, is unrealistic in itself.

They do go so far as to mention even some abusive behavior that some parents may not want their children reading. But, I will tell you here what those are, that way at least you can decide if it s something you would want your child reading. It does tell of a time when the Evil Count Olaf slapped Klaus across the face, bruising his cheek. (this happens just once in the story) but mainly spoken of, to show how truly hurtful and mean the Count is. The Count takes Sunny (the baby) and ties her up and puts her in a bird cage and hangs the cage from the high tower, using her as a threat to get Violet to do what he wants. Violet has to work her inventive mind, to try and find a way to rescue her baby sister. No harm comes to any of the children. But since it does mention these couple of things toward the end of the book I thought I should write about it incase some parents may want this information.

HOWEVER: I do not feel that these things are any problem, as long as the child reading the books, realizes that these are NOT TRUE stories. They are tales that are told, and they are no more real or harmful to people than say Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner, or any other cartoon for that matter. Sponge Bob Square Pants isn t even realistic, if you think about it. Basically if you could watch the movie James & the Giant Peach, then you could read these books. I would have to say it s a close comparison.

Lemony Snickets "Series of Unfortunate Events" may not be suitable for children UNDER the age of 9. I believe the child has to have a grasp on what reality is, in order to be a reader of any of these books.

Otherwise . I LOVE the books, and I see that my son is hooked. Great Reading indeed!!!!

Read My Other "Lemony Snicket" Book Reviews:

*The Reptile Room* - Book the Second
***I Need My Next FIX...I'm an Addict***

*The Wide Window* - Book the Third
***Catastrophes, Misfortune & Treachery OH MY***

*The Miserable Mill* - Book the Fourth
~"LUCKY" smells???? *wink* ~