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

After a long day I wanted to read but I wanted something light, and entertaining. I opted for a kid’s book, The Bad Beginning, thinking that if I enjoyed it I would have several more books in this series to read after days like today. I don’t know how I felt about the book. I didn’t hate it. I didn’t like it.

I didn’t have a difficult time with it because of the awful events happening to children or because Count Olaf was a horrid man. I think it was mostly because I knew that even as a child I would have been insulted by the defining every “difficult” word. I mean I was reading books like The Giver and Princess Diaries as a kindergartener because I found reading fun. I can see the appeal for certain types of kids but as a kid I wouldn’t have liked it. The story behind that is one that I think could have been great but was effectively ruined by the annoying and constant definitions.

And yet, despite giving such a low rating and finding the style of writing quite irritating, I still do want to read the second book in the series. I guess that speaks on how much I could have loved the story without its glaring flaw.

This is pretty much the best audiobook ever. Granted, I haven't listened to a lot of audiobooks, but this one has Tim Curry, multiple voices, and even sound effects. Only the first one is like this, but it doesn't much matter because they're wonderful anyway.
I read this series ages ago and am glad to know I can still enjoy them now when I'm older. Granted, this wasn't the masterpiece I thought it was when I was younger, but it's still a good story.
If, by some crazy work of chance, you've never given these books a go, then you certainly should. The first one isn't the best, but the series does get better as it goes on.

I love this series and I will never be to old for it!

I remember reading this for book points in middle school. I had never read anything like it before, and it is kind of dark for such a young person to read. But, I liked it nonetheless. Little Sunny is my favorite, and I feel sorry for these kids. They go through some crazy things in this book, and that's what keeps me turning pages.

This is a creepy, atmospheric tale with a delightfully unusual narrative style. So unusual and compelling. It's definitely a dark book from start to finish, so younger readers or those easily influenced by darker themes might be a bit uncomfortable. The characters are vividly portrayed (and so different from the characters one usually sees), and this is just the beginning of a wild, strange adventure for the three orphans and their reluctant narrator.

Reader reviewed by ninja penguin

Three kids,Violet, Klaus ,and Sunny, find out that they're parents died in a fire.They are now taken to Count Olaf,who makes them cook,do chores,and is evil.

This was a very good book and the charicters are really good and is an excellent start to the series.

Reader reviewed by Jamie

This  is about three kids who has lost their parents in a terrible fire. It was a tragedy but this book is suspenceful . Violet (eldest  child),klaus and sunny lost their parents and had to live with a foster parent who isn't like any other foster parent  who named Count Olaf has a tattoo of an eye on his ankle . Their foster parent is an actor with suspicious associates who treats them badly , maybe Olaf wanted someting from them. Overall this was a great mystery novel!

Reader reviewed by Joyce

Although the first book in the "Series of Unfortunate Events" was interesting and held my interest throughout, I found the narrator to be highly annoying with his constant interrupting of the story to define words or tell what he would do. I like the narrator of the story to be invisible.

Reader reviewed by Sage

The Bad Beginning is the first of thirteen books in the Series of Unfortunate Events. The story is about three children Violet, Sunny, and Clause, who are recentally orphaned and forced to live with their distant uncle Count Olaf. Count Olaf is a leader of an acting troupe who is contsantally trying to steal the three children's fortune. This book is how the children outwit Olaf and stay close together as a family.

I loved this book and to this day it is one of my favorites. It has cool inventions and interesting words and facts. Overall it was a very enjoyable book.

Reader reviewed by Kaylee

I only really liked this book because it was the first in the series. I tried to read the whole series after but sadly, I couldnt finish it because it was all way to alike. Its like Lemony Snickett couldn't think of anymore ideas, so all the books sound like one another. The first book was the only book that I found interesting, and yet it was only 3 star worthy.  An interesting idea for a book, yes, but each story would be better if it had a different plot then the last.