Chris's review
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1)
by Lemony Snicket
Dude, this review is too violent.
I rather agree with you... maybe not so much about the wrists and the nails and such, although you can do what you want obviously... but I thought these books very mundane... I got through...I don't even remember... I think I read 5 of them... But I had more of a problem with the plot lines of them all... they're EXACTLY the same! I was rather surprised I didn't stop reading sooner... but in all honesty, once you've read the first book you know exactly how the rest end up... seems rather pointless to me
dude that is some wierd shit!
Yeah, that's a good way to put it
Okay maybe not so violent, but other than that it's exactly how I feel.
Same here
Umm... wow, intense. I personally see it as him being quirky and weird. It doesn't really have anything to do with telling you what words mean. It is to continue his random storytelling style. Seriously if you read the books you will realize that is just what he does. It is to add humor not to give you definitions for hard words. Read the back of the book (come on seriously the books are supposed to be the way they are, that is what makes them unique, he made up a fake name for himself) The other dark humor used throughout the story is obviously too mature so then you should be able to tell the definitions are there for literary purposes not tuturing ones.It is a style nothing else.
Well I personally don't like his style at all. But I know people who do, just not me.
hi
I agree with Katie. I don't mind the definitions much... just didn't ever finish the series because of the repetitive plot lines! But yeah, the definitions didn't bug me... His style's alright... though I've read better obviously, but it's not my favortie.
I agree with Kayla-la with the fact that the definitions weren't that bad, and I hated the repetitive plot lines as well. It's just not a book series that I like or enjoy reading and I'm just not going to waste my time on them.
Exactly, well said! :)
Oh, and Hi Rose
I agree with you, I think that Lemony Snicket was adding important information. Chris' review was inappropriate!
Well everyone's entitled to their own opinion
So whatever!
I'd just like to step in here, while everyone's being nice and civil to each other... and since I can't figure out how to close this entry to comments before the first flame gets flung.
Thanks for sharing all your opinions about this, even the ones I disagree with. It seems that, from looking at the ratings this book has here, I am in the minority in finding it to be a hacked-together work of a condescending and generally unpleasant writer who should have been warded away from his first creative writing class in college by armed guards.
I can deal with that. I think my feelings on this book are crystal clear, and while I certainly appreciate that not everyone agrees with me, I am equally certain that I'm not going to change my mind on this one.
So, if you want to put up your thoughts just to have your voice heard, feel more than free to do so. If you want to challenge my opinion or tell me that I'm "wrong," then I recommend you do it by private message rather than clutter up the comments here. You still won't change my mind, but you can at least say you tried. The way Camus tells it, Sisyphus was a hero, and maybe you can be too.
Again, thanks for your thoughts and your civility.
- Chris
LMAO! I found your review to be pretty dead on. Only I suffered through most of the series because someone bought them for me. I felt so bad as I sold the boxset on E-Bay...not because they weren't in my house; that part felt great. I felt bad because someone else spent good money on bad books. The story had so much potential and it was ruined by the little things...and there were a crapload of bad little things.
Dang, don't you just hate it when people get you books you don't really want to read but you don't want to be mean and not read them? I hate that at least... Yeah exactly, if you're going to buy a book it should at least be good! Very true, very true!
I didn't mean to say you were wrong. I was just trying to point out that it was a style. Because I enjoyed the story I wanted people to know that I think he meant to do it. I don't think he wanted to make you feel stupid. Some people don't like it and some people do. I personally did and you did not.
Oh and I commend your advanced, well-used word choice. Very literate and well-placed.
All righty. I have a comment. First of all the style of Lemony Snicket's writing is very different than most other authors and I can understand why people wouldn't like it, but I think that no matter how bad the book is that every person (yes, even horrible authors) deserve respect and you are not giving Mr.Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) enough credit. Yes, he does often explain words that might be obvious to a lot of people, but you have to remember that these books were written for younger kids and so that was a good way to teach them things, without them feeling like they are actually learning. I personally liked the stories although I was not satisfied with the books as I am more of a happy endings person. But whatever you feel about any book, I think that the way you expressed it was rude and entirely uncalled for.
I agree with Halliwellsis93. These books are hard to place though. I think that he might have been partly trying to teach but also it is his style because I feel that some of the humor he used was far too advanced for someone who didn't know the meanings of the words. I also think your comment Chris was way too violent and pointless. You do sound educated in the way you put out your opinion but it could have been done differently.
I agree also, books do deserve respect. I mean, they must have SOMETHING special about them if they were put into print and distributed right?
Sure that something might not appeal to EVERYONE... but that's how books are, that's why there's billions of them written, so people can pick and choose the ones they like. so yeah!
And I must say, I find it very interesting to read everyone's opinions! :) So Thanks for keeping the "converstaion" going everyone!
I know Kayla-la. It's sad but I get pretty excited when I have an email saying theres a new comment on this page. Thanks Chris for your controversial review!
I know Kayla-la. It's sad but I get pretty excited when I have an email saying theres a new comment on this page. Thanks Chris for your controversial review!
I know Kayla-la. It's sad but I get pretty excited when I have an email saying theres a new comment on this page. Thanks Chris for your controversial review!
Chris's review
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1) by Lemony Snicket
Chris's review
rating:
bookshelves:
fantasy
I want to kill Lemony Snicket.
Not because he's written a book where terribly unfortunate things happen to small children - I have no problems with that and in fact encourage it, as it builds character. I want to kill Lemony Snicket because he's a terrible writer who should never have been allowed to have his words put to paper. His hands should be chopped off at the wrists, boiled for twelve hours in turpentine, and then nailed above the front door of his publisher's as a warning to all.
You may be wondering what has roused this level of bibliorage in me. If you are, then you haven't read the book. If you've read the book, and you're one of my friends, then you should already know why.
Snicket has taken what should be an entertaining story, filled with untimely death, physical violence, extortion, deception, and pedophilic overtones, and corrupted it by treating its audience like a bunch of drooling idiots.
I am, of course, referring to his habit of defining "difficul...more
Not because he's written a book where terribly unfortunate things happen to small children - I have no problems with that and in fact encourage it, as it builds character. I want to kill Lemony Snicket because he's a terrible writer who should never have been allowed to have his words put to paper. His hands should be chopped off at the wrists, boiled for twelve hours in turpentine, and then nailed above the front door of his publisher's as a warning to all.
You may be wondering what has roused this level of bibliorage in me. If you are, then you haven't read the book. If you've read the book, and you're one of my friends, then you should already know why.
Snicket has taken what should be an entertaining story, filled with untimely death, physical violence, extortion, deception, and pedophilic overtones, and corrupted it by treating its audience like a bunch of drooling idiots.
I am, of course, referring to his habit of defining "difficul...more
Dude, this review is too violent.
I rather agree with you... maybe not so much about the wrists and the nails and such, although you can do what you want obviously... but I thought these books very mundane... I got through...I don't even remember... I think I read 5 of them... But I had more of a problem with the plot lines of them all... they're EXACTLY the same! I was rather surprised I didn't stop reading sooner... but in all honesty, once you've read the first book you know exactly how the rest end up... seems rather pointless to me
dude that is some wierd shit!
Yeah, that's a good way to put it
Okay maybe not so violent, but other than that it's exactly how I feel.
Same here
Umm... wow, intense. I personally see it as him being quirky and weird. It doesn't really have anything to do with telling you what words mean. It is to continue his random storytelling style. Seriously if you read the books you will realize that is just what he does. It is to add humor not to give you definitions for hard words. Read the back of the book (come on seriously the books are supposed to be the way they are, that is what makes them unique, he made up a fake name for himself) The other dark humor used throughout the story is obviously too mature so then you should be able to tell the definitions are there for literary purposes not tuturing ones.It is a style nothing else.
Well I personally don't like his style at all. But I know people who do, just not me.
hi
I agree with Katie. I don't mind the definitions much... just didn't ever finish the series because of the repetitive plot lines! But yeah, the definitions didn't bug me... His style's alright... though I've read better obviously, but it's not my favortie.
I agree with Kayla-la with the fact that the definitions weren't that bad, and I hated the repetitive plot lines as well. It's just not a book series that I like or enjoy reading and I'm just not going to waste my time on them.
Exactly, well said! :)
Oh, and Hi Rose
I agree with you, I think that Lemony Snicket was adding important information. Chris' review was inappropriate!
Well everyone's entitled to their own opinion
So whatever!
I'd just like to step in here, while everyone's being nice and civil to each other... and since I can't figure out how to close this entry to comments before the first flame gets flung.Thanks for sharing all your opinions about this, even the ones I disagree with. It seems that, from looking at the ratings this book has here, I am in the minority in finding it to be a hacked-together work of a condescending and generally unpleasant writer who should have been warded away from his first creative writing class in college by armed guards.
I can deal with that. I think my feelings on this book are crystal clear, and while I certainly appreciate that not everyone agrees with me, I am equally certain that I'm not going to change my mind on this one.
So, if you want to put up your thoughts just to have your voice heard, feel more than free to do so. If you want to challenge my opinion or tell me that I'm "wrong," then I recommend you do it by private message rather than clutter up the comments here. You still won't change my mind, but you can at least say you tried. The way Camus tells it, Sisyphus was a hero, and maybe you can be too.
Again, thanks for your thoughts and your civility.
- Chris
LMAO! I found your review to be pretty dead on. Only I suffered through most of the series because someone bought them for me. I felt so bad as I sold the boxset on E-Bay...not because they weren't in my house; that part felt great. I felt bad because someone else spent good money on bad books. The story had so much potential and it was ruined by the little things...and there were a crapload of bad little things.
Dang, don't you just hate it when people get you books you don't really want to read but you don't want to be mean and not read them? I hate that at least... Yeah exactly, if you're going to buy a book it should at least be good! Very true, very true!
I didn't mean to say you were wrong. I was just trying to point out that it was a style. Because I enjoyed the story I wanted people to know that I think he meant to do it. I don't think he wanted to make you feel stupid. Some people don't like it and some people do. I personally did and you did not.
Oh and I commend your advanced, well-used word choice. Very literate and well-placed.
All righty. I have a comment. First of all the style of Lemony Snicket's writing is very different than most other authors and I can understand why people wouldn't like it, but I think that no matter how bad the book is that every person (yes, even horrible authors) deserve respect and you are not giving Mr.Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) enough credit. Yes, he does often explain words that might be obvious to a lot of people, but you have to remember that these books were written for younger kids and so that was a good way to teach them things, without them feeling like they are actually learning. I personally liked the stories although I was not satisfied with the books as I am more of a happy endings person. But whatever you feel about any book, I think that the way you expressed it was rude and entirely uncalled for.
I agree with Halliwellsis93. These books are hard to place though. I think that he might have been partly trying to teach but also it is his style because I feel that some of the humor he used was far too advanced for someone who didn't know the meanings of the words. I also think your comment Chris was way too violent and pointless. You do sound educated in the way you put out your opinion but it could have been done differently.
I agree also, books do deserve respect. I mean, they must have SOMETHING special about them if they were put into print and distributed right?
Sure that something might not appeal to EVERYONE... but that's how books are, that's why there's billions of them written, so people can pick and choose the ones they like. so yeah!
And I must say, I find it very interesting to read everyone's opinions! :) So Thanks for keeping the "converstaion" going everyone!
I know Kayla-la. It's sad but I get pretty excited when I have an email saying theres a new comment on this page. Thanks Chris for your controversial review!
I know Kayla-la. It's sad but I get pretty excited when I have an email saying theres a new comment on this page. Thanks Chris for your controversial review!
I know Kayla-la. It's sad but I get pretty excited when I have an email saying theres a new comment on this page. Thanks Chris for your controversial review!