The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events #7)

I'd forgotten just how terrible the adults in this one were. Even the well-meaning Hector seems to lack a spine and won't stick up for the siblings when it comes down to it. The village is all about the rules and the rules are basically nuts. And if you break a rule? Well, they have to burn you at the stake, of course.'

I love that the Quagmire's get another spot in the story. And we find out just a teeny bit more about VFD. Volunteer whatnow?

This book isn't the best in the series, but it is worth the read and I'm suprised that the books in the series aren't going downhill or anything!

Best part in this book would have to be the discovery of the Quagmire triplets and the way they are gone once again and may never be seen or heard of. If you have read the other books in the series, I'm sure you will also enjoy this one.

So, I recommend this book and I suggest you read the other books in the series before this if you haven't already. Some people may not like it because in each book they're trying to escape Olaf's clutches, but the one good and interesting part in the book is every different adventure, mystery, and encounter the poor Baudelaires approach.

Reader reviewed by Kristen

Another book. The same setting.  The same plot. The same finish.  Honestly why must all these books be the same?  The children are moved to another village. They find out Olaf is in discise, the caretaker dosn't belive them; niether does Mr. Poe.  The children proove their point, the move out and into another home.

Reader reviewed by Allire

"It takes a village to raise a child" is the theme for the book "The Vile Village", part of "The Series of Unfortunate Events". In this book, Violet, Klaus and Sunny are sent to this odd village. In this village everyone that lives there is to take care of the children. None of the children's relatives are willing to take them in, because of the fear of Count Olaf. (Violet, Klaus and Sunny are orphans, with an enormous fortune. Unfortunately, however, they can not get the money until Violet turns 18. And a distant relative- Count Olaf, wants their money). Also at this village are a wide range of silly rules, that everyone must follow, or else be dealt with harshly.


This isn't my favorite ASOUE book, but nor is it my least favorite. It's just okay. It's the 7th book of the series, and it's worth the read. I liked how the books don't go downhill as you read them. The 7th book is still good, even though it's the 7th book in. The plot, however, wasn't as good as other books in the series.


I would recommend this book to anyone who has read the previous books. I would also recommend this book to a younger audience. They're good books, but they're set for maybe pre-teens. I loved the books when I was around 12 and 13, but I really can't imaging starting to read them now. Still, they're a good read.

Reader reviewed by K.P.P.

I felt that this novel was the best one out of them. In it the Boudelaire children trip upon a mysterious town where Count Olaf is trying to get to. There they find the friendliest man they have met along their trips who helps them in their many adventures and problems. While trying to escape the newspaper which says that they are supposed to be in jail for committing murder, they invent with their new friend an air balloon.

I would recommend reading this book, it was very exciting.

Reader reviewed by Hinge_Pin

Is it Alfred Hitchcock de ja vou or what? This town of mindless drones, run by completly obsessed rulemakers, and they worship crows. That is just freaky. At least they find a friend. One who has a secret library and is building a hot air balloon in order to escape from the terrible town. This is a book that all young people should read. I think it shows the importance of some rules but not like this town. Rules can come back to hurt you if you have too many. Keep em comin Lemony!!!! Please!!!

Reader reviewed by Zac

Now the children are being sent to the V.F.D., a village of crow-worshipping loons that are as no sane human could possibly be. This village is demanding and rule-obsessed--there are hundreds of meaningless guidelines to which the orphans must fallow in order to keep an aura of semi-content.

Reader reviewed by Carter

If you have read my other reviews you know I rave about these books. After the fourth in the series Mr. Snicket really shines. Although this seventh book is very confusing at places, it is made up for in excellant description of the villiage(which was VERY easy to visualize), and a real feeling he sends out in the story. This is a good read and I recomend it. CW

Reader reviewed by Aussie

I think this is the second or third best book in the entire series! Once again the Baudelair's must thwart Count Olaf's plans to take their fortune, and must learn more about the secret organization of V.F.D.

Reader reviewed by Flak Monkey

Because none of their distant relatives will take them in out of fear of Count Olaf, the three Baudelaire orphans become part of a new program based on the saying "It takes a village to raise a child." Under this program, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny's newest guardians will be all the residents of an entire village. In the hopes of solving the mystery of "V.F.D.," the children choose a village by that name as their new home. But they are terribly disappointed. They are sent to live with a kind but timid man named Hector who loves to cook Mexican food and has a library of forbidden books. V.F.D. is run by the strict Council of Elders, who have made tens of thousands of ridiculous rules that the citizens of the village must follow or risk being burned at the stake. When the Baudelaires are falsely accused of murder and imprisoned, they must escape from the jail and find their friends the Quagmires, who are hidden somewhere in the village. This was another miserable, hilarious book in A Series of Unfortunate Events that is a must-read for all fans of the series.