The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (1999)

It finally happened. My 1st grade son is now suggesting books for me to read, rather than the other way around. For the last several weeks, my son has been working his way through the Series of Unfortunate Events books by Lemony Snicket. He's now midway through #9, and his harassment finally got me to pick up the first one and give it a try.

The Series
The Series of Unfortunate Events is a series comprised of 13 books, each containing exactly 13 chapters. It is the story of the three Baudelaire orphans: Klaus, Violet, and Sunny, and all of the terrible things that befall them.

The Bad Beginning
At the start of the first novel, Klaus, Violet, and Sunny learn that their parents have perished in a terrible fire. They are sent off to live with a relative of whom they've never heard: the terrible Count Olaf. I won't give away any more of the plot of the novel than that, but it is sufficient to say that very little that is good happens to any of the Baudelaire children from the start of the novel until the end of it, and the author promises us more of the same in the upcoming books.

The Good

Fun, quick read
The books in this series get longer and longer as you read, but this first one is a really quick read for adults, and even a relatively quick read for children.

Broadens vocabulary
At several points during this book there are words used that many small children may not be familiar with. Words like "perished" and "duration," for example. The author finds clever ways to make sure that the children reading are given explanations for such words, thus broadening a child's vocabulary without requiring them to dig out the dictionary or ask mom what a word means.

A "forbidden" feel that draws children in
The author makes sure to drive the point home that his books are not for everyone. He goes on and on about how terrible things happen in the books and that you probably shouldn't read them if you like happy stories. This really got my son excited about reading the books. Well, duh, just try telling any kid of almost any age that they shouldn't do something and of course they're going to want to do it even more.

Memorable characters
This book is full of memorable characters both charming and disgusting. There are the orphans who are each unique and sympathetic in their own way, there are villains like Count Olaf and his friends, and there side characters like Mr. Poe and Justice Strauss who are also very interesting.

Great Illustrations
At the start of every chapter, and at a few other points in this book, there are beautiful black and white illustrations by artist Brett Helmquist. These illustrations really add to the atmosphere of the book.

It's Just the Beginning
As a parent, I like nothing better than to have my kid discover a book he really likes and then have it be the start of a long series. There's nothing like a good long series to keep a child reading.

The Bad

Dark themes
It seems like there are a lot of children's authors right now who are trying to be the next Roald Dahl. Well, Lemony Snicket is really know different. Like the heroes and heroines of Dahl's books, the Baudelaire orphans have a lot against them. And, like Dahl's books dark themes like grief and child abuse abound throughout the Series of Unfortunate Events. Children who have been abused or who have already suffered losses in the family, or who are really sensitive, should not read these books.

Most books only available in hardcover
Awhile back, these books finally started coming out in paperback. Then, suddenly the publisher canceled the paperback editions except for the 1st 3 books. So, if you want to read all of these books, you'll have to shell out $13.00 per copy if you want to own them. It really bugs me when a publisher does this.

Final Thoughts
The Bad Beginning is a really good book, and it's a pretty fast read to start off a long series with. If your kid is reading at around a 3rd grade level and can deal with the dark themes of this book, you should give this book a try with them. If they like it, they'll probably want to read them all and, for awhile, you won't have to push them to read more.