Paige's review
The Complete Wreck (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-13)
by Lemony Snicket
This is a marvelous review. I'd like to just copy and paste it into my book reviews! I agree with everything you said. I also love that Lemony Snicket is a character as well as the author. I love all the references to literature with the characters names and so forth. I love how Lemony Snicket defines the words that he uses, "which in this instance means ..." Always amusing. I love how each of the children, whether Baudelaire, Quagmire, or Fiona, have a talent that is their passion.
I have to admit, that although book 4 was perhaps the hardest book to get through, it is one of the books that Nate and I refer to the most. For some reason, we think it's super funny that the workers at the mill were only given gum for lunch and that they are paid with coupons like "buy two banjos get one free." As if anyone would ever need 3 banjos - and how could you use a coupon if you never got paid with money? Also, it's pretty funny how Count Olaf disguises himself as Shirley in book 4.
The other Count Olaf disguise that we LOVE is when he dresses up as Detective Dupin and goes around saying that "It's not cool to ..." And then Esme says, "We are dating" in that book which always makes us giggle. I love Count Olaf's long laugh in book 11 and then his short "HA" in book 12.
I think my least favorite book of the series is actually The Ersatz Elevator. It's sort of a black hole for me, and I can't really remember anything funny about it except that we are introduced to Esme and all her "in" things.
I think my favorite book of them all is book 10, The Slippery Slope. I like how we meet Quigley and how Sunny acts as a spy and says, "I am not a baby."
What do you think about the title of book 13? In someways I am kind of sad that he didn't continue the awesome alliterations.
Ultimately, I think what makes these books work, is that despite all the horrible things that happen to the Baudelaire children they always stick together. They never turn on one another, and they are always there for each other. That is why we can read 13 books about their Series of Unfortunate Events.
Excellent points. I think when Sunny says, "I'm not a baby" may be my favorite moment in the series. I love Sunny's character throughout because despite being a baby, she is always an individual. I love that cooking is added to her interests (along with biting). But I think this moment is where she really takes a stance a becomes her own person.
Book 13. I was disappointed about the title and lack of alliteration initially. Sometimes I still am, but the title feels very fitting to me. It is the end of the Series of Unfortunate Events that Lemony Snicket follows in the Baudelaire's lives. But I do love the alliterations.
I agree 100%. Who would want to read 13 books about dreadful things if the characters did not stick together. I just reread Book the 11th and it makes me so sad when Fiona decides to stay with Count Olaf, but at the same time she believes she's holding on to her family. I'm glad the Baudelaire's remain on the same side the whole time and stick together. I completely agree that this is what makes the series work.
Paige's review
The Complete Wreck (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-13) by Lemony Snicket
Paige's review
rating:
bookshelves:
childrens--youngadult
I have decided to do these all together because that is easiest, but I have things to say about various books.
First, I think the fourth book was the hardest to get through. This is because all the first four books feel exactly the same. Hooray for book five and the Quagmire triplets! It always felt good when something nice happened to our young heroes. I feel from the there the story continued improving for several reasons.
First, it was good to know the Baudelaire's had friends.
Second, the mystery expands. For every question answered you develop five more. It keeps the story interesting and intriguing.
Finally, I love The End. I will not go into too much detail for those who have not read it, but I feel that although it does not tie up all the loose ends, it does clearly end. You didn't leave the book screaming, "I need more information!"
If this is not enough reason to enjoy the series, I would like to make one, last statement. How can you resist a b...more
First, I think the fourth book was the hardest to get through. This is because all the first four books feel exactly the same. Hooray for book five and the Quagmire triplets! It always felt good when something nice happened to our young heroes. I feel from the there the story continued improving for several reasons.
First, it was good to know the Baudelaire's had friends.
Second, the mystery expands. For every question answered you develop five more. It keeps the story interesting and intriguing.
Finally, I love The End. I will not go into too much detail for those who have not read it, but I feel that although it does not tie up all the loose ends, it does clearly end. You didn't leave the book screaming, "I need more information!"
If this is not enough reason to enjoy the series, I would like to make one, last statement. How can you resist a b...more
This is a marvelous review. I'd like to just copy and paste it into my book reviews! I agree with everything you said. I also love that Lemony Snicket is a character as well as the author. I love all the references to literature with the characters names and so forth. I love how Lemony Snicket defines the words that he uses, "which in this instance means ..." Always amusing. I love how each of the children, whether Baudelaire, Quagmire, or Fiona, have a talent that is their passion. I have to admit, that although book 4 was perhaps the hardest book to get through, it is one of the books that Nate and I refer to the most. For some reason, we think it's super funny that the workers at the mill were only given gum for lunch and that they are paid with coupons like "buy two banjos get one free." As if anyone would ever need 3 banjos - and how could you use a coupon if you never got paid with money? Also, it's pretty funny how Count Olaf disguises himself as Shirley in book 4.
The other Count Olaf disguise that we LOVE is when he dresses up as Detective Dupin and goes around saying that "It's not cool to ..." And then Esme says, "We are dating" in that book which always makes us giggle. I love Count Olaf's long laugh in book 11 and then his short "HA" in book 12.
I think my least favorite book of the series is actually The Ersatz Elevator. It's sort of a black hole for me, and I can't really remember anything funny about it except that we are introduced to Esme and all her "in" things.
I think my favorite book of them all is book 10, The Slippery Slope. I like how we meet Quigley and how Sunny acts as a spy and says, "I am not a baby."
What do you think about the title of book 13? In someways I am kind of sad that he didn't continue the awesome alliterations.
Ultimately, I think what makes these books work, is that despite all the horrible things that happen to the Baudelaire children they always stick together. They never turn on one another, and they are always there for each other. That is why we can read 13 books about their Series of Unfortunate Events.
Excellent points. I think when Sunny says, "I'm not a baby" may be my favorite moment in the series. I love Sunny's character throughout because despite being a baby, she is always an individual. I love that cooking is added to her interests (along with biting). But I think this moment is where she really takes a stance a becomes her own person.Book 13. I was disappointed about the title and lack of alliteration initially. Sometimes I still am, but the title feels very fitting to me. It is the end of the Series of Unfortunate Events that Lemony Snicket follows in the Baudelaire's lives. But I do love the alliterations.
I agree 100%. Who would want to read 13 books about dreadful things if the characters did not stick together. I just reread Book the 11th and it makes me so sad when Fiona decides to stay with Count Olaf, but at the same time she believes she's holding on to her family. I'm glad the Baudelaire's remain on the same side the whole time and stick together. I completely agree that this is what makes the series work.