A Series of Unfortunate Events Box: The Complete Wreck

A Series of Unfortunate Events #1-13

by Lemony Snicket

“If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book. In this book, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning and very few happy things in the middle. This is because not very many happy things happened in the lives of the three Baudelaire youngsters.”

The complete series, in all its glorious misery. This collection features all 13 of Lemony Snicket's world famous A Series of Unfortunate Events, from the very first moment when we meet the woeful Baudelaire siblings to the unfolding of their luckless lives. Written by a hugely talented author and bursting with dark and wicked humour.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Childrens, Mystery, Middle Grade, Adventure

4208 pages, ebook

First published October 13, 2006

About the author

Lemony Snicket had an unusual education and a perplexing youth and now endures a despondent adulthood. His previous published works include the thirteen volumes in A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Composer is Dead, and 13 Words. His new series is All The Wrong Questions.

For A Series of Unfortunate Events:
www.lemonysnicket.com

For All The Wrong Questions:
www.lemonysnicketlibrary.com

Reviews

[Federico DN · Rating 4 out of 5]

.
Fading SADNESS.

After leaving Olaf-Land and Kit Snicket behind; Beatrice, Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire set sail off the island to a bright new future; during their travel they reunite with Fiona, Quigley, Duncan and Isadora Quagmire. Finally together after enduring so many misfortunes, all the orphans start living a blissful life, and they live happily ever after, in a lovely mansion rebuilt with all their inherited fortune. An endless respite of happiness takes place; until the sugar bowl appears in their home, and calamity never strikes again.

THE END

After so much SADNESS I decided I need closure, so this is MY ending. F* you Lemony. Now I have my answers and my happy ending!

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[2006] [3417p] [Collection] [Recommendable]
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★★★★☆ 1. The Bad Beginning [3.5]
★★★★☆ 2. The Reptile Room [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Wide Window
★★☆☆☆ 4. The Miserable Mill [2,5]
★★★★★ 5. The Austere Academy [4.5]
★★★☆☆ 6. The Ersatz Elevator
★★★★★ 7. The Vile Village
★☆☆☆☆ 8. The Hostile Hospital
★★★☆☆ 9. The Carnivorous Carnival [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Slippery Slope [3.5]
★★★★☆ 11. The Grim Grotto
★★★☆☆ 12. The Penultimate Peril [3.5]
★★★★☆ 13. The End
★★★★☆ 14. The Complete Wreck

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TRISTEZA desvaneciente.

Después de dejar Olaf-Landia y a Kit Snicket atrás; Beatrice, Violet, Klaus y Sunny Baudelaire navegan fuera de isla hacia un brillante nuevo futuro; y durante el viaje se reencuentran con Fiona, Quigley, Duncan e Isadora Quagmire. Finalmente juntos luego de sufrir tantos infortunios, todos los huérfanos empiezan a vivir una vida dichosa, y viven felices para siempre, en una hermosa mansión reconstruida con toda su fortuna heredada. Un sin fin respiro de felicidad tiene lugar; hasta que el cuenco de azúcar aparece en su hogar, y la calamidad nunca vuelve a golpear otra vez.

FIN

Después de tanta TRISTEZA decidí que necesitaba un cierre, así que este es MI final. Al dem* Lemony. Ahora tengo mis respuestas y mi final feliz!

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[2006] [3417p] [Colección] [Recomendable]
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[Will Byrnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim Carrey as Count Olaf with the ill-fated Baudelaire children in the 2004 film

The Series of Unfortunate Events series was great fun for the first few. They are entertaining, fast reads, filled with a dark, sardonic wit and a fairy tale sensibility. I found, though, that after a few they became redundant. It was the same bad guy using disguises and perverting systems designed to protect the children, to seek his own ends. It was the same clever children foiling the evil count's sinister designs. You can have too much of a good thing. I ultimately passed on the last volume or two. The 2004 film was visually impressive and entertaining overall. The Netflix series, with Neil Patrick Harris as you-know-who, began in 2017. Season two begins Friday, March 30, 2018. Season three has been set, with broadcast date remaining to be determined.



Neil Patrick Harris as the evil Olaf in the Netflix series - image from Elite Daily

[Tina Rafii➹ lives in Fandoms · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Golden Stars


I read this at the same time with Deltora (I can't remember which one I start first) so my 2nd or 3rd series chronologically.
it seems like it is happening in real world, Sometimes I just felt it was a biography of the Baudelaires. maybe does not even have a tiny fantasy element, but it feels so awesome.

Dear Readers
despite of the author's constant trying to convince you not to read his books, because they are full of "Unfortunate Events" I'm totally trying to convince you otherwise.
if you want a good laugh (writing style is so much fun!)
& like to see some talented decisive strong protagonists who can conquer their problems every time.
yes it has unfortunate events, but if it did not have it, I'm asking you, would any of us wanted to read it? I wouldn't for sure.

it's about three lovely children who lost their parents in a fire, every one of them had a special characteristic.
Violet is a genius mechanic.
Klaus is a nerd who read many books in many genres. he's a walking sweetheart.. oops sorry! I mean a walking Encyclopedia! (he is my favourite character)
& cute little Sunny! she know how to Bite. yes. Bite! her teeth saved them many times!

& how Lemony told their story, wow. it's fantastic & unique, sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking. sometimes it felt he's talking to you.
the words he used, the way he explained us, the metaphors or examples he put in there & the way he relate them to our lives as a 'life lesson' are funny! (& they make sense, even though they are mostly strange or weird! but if you think about it, you might agree)

“It is one of life's bitterest truths that bedtime so often arrives just when things are really getting interesting.”

I'm asking you, Readers, isn't this true???

also the titles choices are just ingenious! just take a look at all of them: the Bad Beginning, the Reptile Room... the Hostile Hospital... the Grim Grotto, the Penultimate Peril....
same initials! ooooohhhhhhh!
I love them!

full of Dumb characters (I would punch them in the face, if I ever saw them!) who are just 'Dumb' or 'Wimpy'! (that actually made the protagonists keep going & be independent)
or 'Dumb And Wimpy'!
'too Dumb'!
some 'Nice & Dumb' fellows
or 'Nice & Wimpy'!
some 'Dumb evil',
or 'Intelligent evil'.
& that makes the story fun. though I wanted to pull my hair out sometimes!
we met a few normal clever nice people too, if you're wondering. but mostly they are dumb.
I hate the villain in this series (but I love him in the Netflix adaptation! they are the same, act the same, say the same things! but in book he's just vicious (except a few times) but we can see more fun & dumb side of him in the show)

many Unfortunate Events & many exciting events,
many exasperating events & some funny events.

I think when the story reveals how fantastic it is, is 5. 1 was okay. 2 was fine, I liked it. 3 & 4 were weak. I loved 5 & 6. 7 was okay (but also the climax of the story or the huge turning point). I loved 8 & 9 & 10. 11 was pretty good. 12 was fabulous!
& I didn't really like the ending. I prefer it somehow ended at the end of the 12th book, instead of making everything worse & we should have that 13th book... 13 was a disappointment for me. (tho I saw people who likes it.)
-
World building: ★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★(★)/5
Writing Style: ★★★★★/5
plot: ★★★★(★)/5
General idea: ★★★★★/5

[Maralena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate literature. Unabashedly and with passion. This, my friends, is not literature. You could not waste your time sitting around in a stuffy room with the windows drawn on a beautiful day analyzing this text. This is pure storytelling plain and simple and leaves no room for the ego. This is what books are about, my friends: losing awareness of the self such that when you turn the last page and come out the other end, you have no original thoughts whatsoever, only the desire to keep reading.

[Yasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Lemony Snicket's style of writing, asking us to stop reading throughout the book, giving definitions of the words. the books are totally funny. I have learned many new words and phrases by reading the series. I recommend the whole set!

[Astiazh · Rating 5 out of 5]

از سری کتابهایی که با خوندنش نوجوان ها عاشقش میشن و خیلی هم پرطرفدارن.
قصه ی سه بچه ای که بعد از فوت پدر و مادر شان یکی از اقوام کفالتشان را به عهده میگیره و می خواد ثروتشان را به جیب بزنه.
این مجموعه ۱۳ کتاب است.

[lil em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that you love these books! It's clever that the one word sayings from sunny are actually ironic one word summaries of the exact situation or sometimes a word in a different language to describe her meaning. I enjoy that hes teaching children vocabulary and pharses in easy to understand and witty ways. I love Lemony Snickets dark sense of humor, I think that he is opening doors for children to be introduced to great literature and poets by referencing them in his books. (ie Robert Frost, Tolstoy, Baudelaire, etc). If you like these books you should listen to NPR interviews with Lemony Snicket they are hilarious...also the band the Gothic Archies (Magnetic Fields) are awesome!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I have enjoyed throughout this series is the way the author makes the reader think. By think I mean, research, investigate and remember important events, words, etc. You are encouraged to keep a journal to write down your thoughts and insights. It is dark humour and probably appropriate for about age 8 and up depending on the sensitivity of the child. It does deal with some sad things like the fact that our protagonists become orphans and the adults are either trying to off them or are too incompetent or oblivious to help them. That aside, there are enough wonderfully witty and sensitive moments to keep the books brilliant all the while teaching large and obscure vocabulary. The books get a bit formulaic through the middle of the series; but stick with it and you'll be out of the mundane mire soon. The last four books were particularly good I thought. If you have been "keeping your notes up" (I did it easily in my head), The End should close things up rather nicely, if you didn't or only followed haphazardly, you may be disappointed. I would encourage parents to read along with their children as there are so many opportunities to discuss important "growing up issues" such as the fact that nobody is all bad or all good, that we don't know and can't know everything about another's life, and that you cannot escape all the bad things that happen in the world so we need to learn to deal with them. I thought the end of THE END was a rather sweet (but not sickeningly) adieu to a great series.

[Sanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utisci o kompletnom serijalu...

Naracija zanimljiva, ali ume ponekad biti dosadno i nepotrebno nasumično ubacivanje informacija.

Priča počinje zanimljivo i drži pažnju, ali vremeno postane pomalo dosadno ponavljanje elemenata - siročići dobiju novog staratelja, grof Olaf ih nekako pronađe i ujedno zavara sve ljude tako što se maskira i jer su odrasli ljudi izuzetno glupi, siročići onda traže rešenje kako da pobegnu, što na kraju i uspeju, ali uvek se pojavi neka nova misterija i novi problem.

Kraj je pomalo bezveze, nedorečen i potencijalno daje materijala za neki dalji serijal. Ne sviđa mi se što su se tokom serijala nagomilala pitanja, a nisu nam dati odgovori (iako je u knjizi napisano da su siročićima jasnije neke stvari).

Sve u svemu, solidno. Šteta što serijal nije preveden do kraja kod nas.

Takođe, postoji serija koju trenutku gledam, a kojoj ću ovde ostaviti komentar i poređenje. Ono što mogu za sad reći jeste da treba prvo pročitati ceo serijal, pa onda pogledati seriju, jer već u prvoj epizodi ima malo spojlera knjiga. Takođe, sviđaju mi se neke promene, malo su jasnije neke stvari. Ali kako se bližim kraju, počinjem misliti da su krenuli preterivati sa dodavanjem i menjanjem stvari kako bi ispalo još više "wow".

UPDATE (o seriji): Nakon odgledane serije, moram reći da su malo kraj spetljali da nije baš imalo smisla koliko knjiga. Stvari su dosta jasnije objašnjenje nego u knjizi, bar se meni tako čini.

SLEDI MALI SPOJLER, PRESKOČITI OVAJ PASUS
Ne shvatam zašto su u seriji njihovi roditelji živi, da bi se, nakon par epizoda pokušaja bekstva prikazala njihova konačna smrt. Apsolutno se ništa time nije postiglo. Decu nisu uspeli da kontaktiraju, niti su deca znala da su im roditelji preživeli požar, pa tek naknadno stradali. I gde su oni to završili nakon požara i od koga bežali? Skroz bespotrebno.

Sve u svemu, serija takođe nije loša. Tako da preporučujem nju pogledati nakon čitanja.

[Bakeshow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I accidentally found this series one day at the library. The cover art intrigued me so I checked out the book I saw, not realizing it was the 5th in a series. I thought the book was hilarious so I quickly checked out all the books that were written up to that point.

They are mock gothic novels following some very unfortunate children through thier lives of orphanhood. Yes, they live very, very depressing lives and only once in a while does some sun shine on thier otherwise woefully dark lives.

I was eager for the rest of the books to come out, reading them the day they were released then waiting impatiently for the next to come out a year or so later.

Sadly though, I have to admit I was really disappointed with how they ended. But, if Mr. Snicket knew I thought that, he would figure his goal complete. They are not meant to end well. They are Unfortunate stories... not mostly unfortunate, but only until they end and just because it's what society wants (a happy ending) that is what society gets.

Don't get me wrong, they don't end sad... they kind of just dont... end. All the sudden they're just over. Now that I've ruined it for you, go and read them and see for yourselves.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some things are best communicated in person. Among these things are sign language, marriage proposals, and infectious diseases. However, in many cases personal communication is simply not feasible. While I would like to declare to each of you personally the release of the 13th and final book in Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events," I must resort to an impersonal means of making this most important announcement, so I am posting it here.

For the sake of those who are unfamiliar with the series (and no, seeing the movie does not count as being familiar with the series), I will give you a small taste of what you are missing. The following is the opening paragraph from the tenth book:

A man of my acquaintance once wrote a poem called "The Road Less Traveled," describing a journey he took through the woods along a path most travelers never used. The poet found that the road less traveled was peaceful but quite lonely, and he was probably a bit nervous as he went along, because if anything happened on the road less traveled, the other travelers would be on the road more frequently traveled and so couldn't hear him as he cried for help. Sure enough, that poet is now dead."

As is evidenced by the above excerpt, this book series is not for the faint of heart. If you want to read a book with a formulaic fairy-tale ending, or one that transports you to a land replete with butterflies and lollipops, then look elsewhere. So why am I so excited to read a book that is sure to be fraught with tragedy, woe, and death? Because it's funny as hades. If you want to read a book that takes life with all its maladies and presents it with such cleverness and wit that you can't help but laugh, then look no further. You'll be glad you took the road less traveled.

[Tanya · Rating 1 out of 5]

"If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book. In this book, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning and very few happy things in the middle."

My short review consists of the suggestion that you heed this advice, and read something other than this aptly named "complete (train)wreck". My long reviews are linked below.

01: The Bad Beginning · ★★
02: The Reptile Room · ★★½
03: The Wide Window · ★★
04: The Miserable Mill · ★½
05: The Austere Academy · ★★½
06: The Ersatz Elevator · ★★½
07: The Vile Village · ★★
08: The Hostile Hospital · ★★
09: The Carnivorous Carnival · ★★
10: The Slippery Slope · ★★
11: The Grim Grotto · ★★★
12: The Penultimate Peril · ★★
13: The End · ★

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Complete Series

Overall Series Rating: 3 Stars out of 5

Average Rating: 3.53 based on the average of all the books

Overview:

The A Series of Unfortunate Events series presents a unique blend of dark humor and clever storytelling that captures the trials and tribulations of the Baudelaire orphans. While the individual books often exhibit strong writing and engaging plots, the overall series rating averages to 3.53 stars. However, due to the unsatisfying conclusion presented in the 13th book, I’ve chosen to drop the overall rating to a 3 instead of rounding up to a 4.

The disappointment with the ending is a common sentiment among readers, as it feels abrupt and unfulfilling after such a lengthy journey with the characters. Many reviews highlight this issue, noting that the resolution does not adequately address the numerous plot threads woven throughout the series. The lack of closure left a bittersweet taste, especially given the anticipation built up over 13 books.

While the series has its strengths, including clever wordplay, memorable characters, and an engaging narrative style, the unsatisfactory conclusion ultimately detracted from my overall enjoyment. For readers considering diving into this series, it’s essential to be aware that the ending may not provide the resolution one might hope for after investing so much time in the Baudelaires’ misadventures.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

#1: The Bad Beginning; #2: The Reptile Room; #3: The Wide Window; #4: The Miserable Mill; #5: The Austere Academy; #6: The Erstz Elevator; #7: The Vile Village; #8: The Hostile Hospital; #9: The Carnivorous Carnival; #10: The Slippery Slope; #11: The Grim Grotto; #12: The Penultimate Peril; #13: The End

After the three Baudelaire children (Violet, Klaus, and Sunny) lose their parents in a house fire, they experience so much misfortune and so many narrow escapes from the evil Count Olaf that it barely fits into 13 books. They are smart and inventive, but they still can't avoid the trouble that finds them wherever they go. The End, the final book in the series, is a somewhat disappointing end to such an entertaining series. I feel a bit cheated that there aren't many answers at the end of The End.

[Sakebushippo · Rating 4 out of 5]

LEER RESEÑAS COMPLETAS EN MI BLOG:

1. Un mal principio: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/0...
2. La habitación de los reptiles: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/0...
3. El ventanal: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/1...
4. El aserradero lúgubre: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/1...
5. Una academia muy austera: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/1...
6. El ascensor artificioso: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/1...
7. La villa vil: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/1...
8. El hospital hostil: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/1...
9. El carnaval carnívoro: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/1...
10. La pendiente resbaladiza: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/1...
11. La gruta sombría: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/1...
12. El penúltimo peligro: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/1...
13. El fin: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/1...

Una serie de eventos desafortunados escrita por Lemony Snicket sigue las desventuras de los hermanos Baudelaire: Violet, Klaus y Sunny, quienes se ven envueltos en una serie de desafortunados eventos después de la repentina muerte de sus padres en un misterioso incendio.

[Candise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically, this book is about how kids are hella smart, and adults just don't give them enough cred. The Baudelaire children have just become the Baudelaire orphans, and everything bad that could ever befall them happen in this series. Each child has a skill: Violet is a brilliant inventor, Klaus is a bookwork with an incredible memory, and Sunny has razor-sharp teeth. Together, they are the ultimate machine.

There is mystery, multiple attempts at murder, serious pun-action, and a gothic overshadow that makes the time-setting uncertain. Ultimately, this series is about three siblings who seriously care and look out for one another. They know their strength lies in being together.

What I found amazing about this series is how everything seems to be in black and white at the beginning: you know who the good and bad guys are. But as the series progresses, the water muddies, and there is a lot more ambiguity. As the Baudelaire's (and our) knowledge grows, we are faced with difficult situations and thus cannot view the world in such extremes. Just like in life, there is no black and white. We can only do what we must in order to survive, and sometimes our actions and feelings are complicated.

SOUE are children's books, but contain adult humor and themes. Originally, I thought that they were children's books written for adults. But I guess that's the point. We don't give kids enough credit.

[Artnoose McMoose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began reading the series after the first 12 had been released. I read #13 as soon as it came out. I think that the strength with this series is in its entity as a series.

For example, in the first books, there's a dichotomy between good and evil, but as the children go through their series of unfortunate events, morality becomes blurred. This was one of the things I admired most about the books.

In addition, Sunny is one of the most interesting and overlooked characters in the series, especially in the beginning. If you look at what she is saying, however, often it is some pertinent word spelled backwards or else Latin.

Also, I love the amount of new vocabulary that is introduced, particularly for children who might be reading it. An adult, this series fully cemented the word "ersatz" into common usage for me.

The one drawback I would say is the ending. I think the author seriously flubbed it. I'm not sure how I might make it different, but the mystery of the big question mark left swimming in the ocean was just too much left undone.

[Amelia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed by how many mysteries were left unsolved. I can't imagine anyone who would like to be strung out for 13 books only to have all of their questions unanswered. They are cleverly written books and very funny at times, but the plot drove me nuts. Each book only made me more confused! But I think that's what the author was going for.

[Zeynab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all 13 books in this series and I have to say that it's indeed one of the strangest weirdest books I've ever read. For some reason this book was quite alienating, well for me as an reader but it was definitely an alienating experience for the Baudelairs which was probably reflected onto me as I was feeling it too.

Anyways very strange book yes, but the author Lemony snicket is also very weird and I'm somehow intrigued by him, his other books which I read gave off similar isolating vibes that I can't explain and just like the 'A series Of Unfortunate Events' series it was pretty unique and strange.

Now enough of me calling it out for its strangeness, did I enjoy this book?
Yes I did, especially the first one but after every book i read I do have to admit it got quite frustrating due to the same ongoing pattern in every book across the series.
The last book(book 13) was where it finally happened(if you read the book you know what I'm talking about) where the ending was different to all the other books in the series.

It took 13 books for it to happen, what was Lemony Snicket thinking... for some reason it's quite funny, no wonder it's called 'a series of unfortunate...' it took so long until Count Olaf was finally beaten! All due to his hideous disguises lol :)

Even so, I was still excited to read the next book in the series after finishing each one, I was always curious to see what disguises Count Olaf would be displaying for the next book.

Moreover it was a pretty emotional book, this book plays with your emotions like crazy!

I don't really know what else to say without spoilling which I did do a little bit! So I'll end this review right here. :)

[Tracy Furr · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as a series of books, a more accurate rating might be 4 stars. However, when combined with the experience of reading them as a family along my husband to our 7 and 5 year old boys, I give the series 5 stars.

I found these books incredibly engaging and clever. As much for the adults as it was for the kids. And the final chapter brought me to tears.

My boys remember so much of these books and are better at the trivia aspects than myself. I loved the way Snicket played with words. And I loved reading all the different explanations for the initials of V.F.D.

I strongly recommend reading these books to your kids. And I guarantee your kids will have lasting meanings to words that are sometimes hard to comprehend at such young ages. Just ask my 5-year-old what an optimist is.

[Vasarė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jei tektų parinkti šioms knygoms vieną jas apibūdinantį žodį, tai būtų, be abejonės, makabriškos. Serijos pavadinimas turbūt visiems gerai žinomas iš 2004 m. filmo su tokiais puikiais aktoriais kaip Jim Carrey ir Emily Browning. Aš irgi šį filmą mačiau ne vieną kartą, tačiau tik visai neseniai sužinojau, kad tai ne šiaip kažkieno sugalvotas scenarijus - filmas pastatytas pagal knygas! Vadinasi, filme ne viskas atskleista, vadinasi, yra tęsinys... O aš jau tokia esu, kad jei yra tęsinys, mirk gyvenk turiu jį sužinoti. Tad netrukus susiradau visas Lemony Snicket'o knygas ir kibau į skaitymus. Iš viso knygų yra 13, o filme sutalpintos pirmos trys.

Knygos pristatomos kaip skirtos vaikams, tačiau manyje kyla abejonė šimtaprocentiniu šio teiginio tikslumu. Na, čia panašiai kaip ir su Hariu Poteriu - žinoma, kad gali skaityti jo istoriją būdamas vaikas, tačiau ir suaugus Hario knygos nepraras nei dalelės žavesio, gal netgi įgis jo daugiau, be to, skaitydamas suaugęs atrasi visai kitus dalykus. Taip ir su Lemony Snicket'o knygomis - nesigailėjau jas skaitydama jau suaugusi, įdomu buvo vis vien be proto.

Knygoje pasakojama apie tris Baudelaire'ų vaikus: Violetą (14), Klausą (12) ir Sunny (tikslaus amžiaus nenurodoma, tačiau arti vienerių metų). Pirmojoje knygoje vaikai išgirsta, kad jų tėvai žuvo siaubingame gaisre, kuris taip pat sunaikino jų namus. Likę naišlaičiais, vaikai turi keliauti pas savo naująjį globėją, grafą Olafą. Na, čia šiek tiek tenka paspoilinti, nes kitaip negalėsiu tęsti toliau (kita vertus, Olafo tikslai beskaitant paaiškėja visai netrukus) - grafas gviešiasi neįsivaizduojamo dydžio našlaičių turto, kurį jiems paliko tėvai, tačiau Baudelaire'ų vaikai negali turtu naudotis, kol Violetai nesukaks 18. Grafas Olafas sukuria planą, kaip pasigviešti turtą anksčiau laiko. Laimei, jam neišdega ir pirmos knygos pabaigoje vaikai nuo jo išsivaduoja, o antrojoje knygoje jau keliauja pas naująjį globėją... O bet tačiau, Olafas jų nepalieka, jis grįžta persirengęs ir su naujais planais, mulkina suaugusius ir t. t. Pirmose keliose knygose našlaičiai keliauja nuo globėjo prie globėjo, nerasdami ramybės nuo piktojo grafo. Tačiau juk ir Hario Poterio pirmos dvi knygos atrodo gana paprastos ir neypatingos - tik vėliau imta lįsti į kur kas tamsesnius vandenis su sunkiai išgliaudomomis paslaptimis, sudėtingais nevienpusiškais veikėjais ir tragiškais įvykiais. Taip ir Baudelaire'ų istorija maždaug nuo penktos-šeštos knygos (beje, jos ganėtinai trumpos) ima gerokai niauktis. Į paviršių išplaukia slapta organizacija, Baudelaire'ų tėvų paslaptys, ir apskritai sudėtinga paslapčių raizgalynė. Istorija ir vaikai bręsta - blogiečiai nebeatrodo vienareikšmiškai blogi, patys vaikai susiduria su įvairiomis moralinėmis dilemomis, viskas tampa itin painu...

Rašymo stilius esti labai unikalus - net nežinau, nuo kurio galo jį pradėti apžvelgti. Labiausiai į akis krenta, turbūt, žodžių paaiškinimai, kadangi knyga tikrai pilna sudėtingų žodžių (skaičiau anglų kalba, lietuvių vertimo nėra). Galbūt native speaker'į tai ir nervintų, tačiau aš tikrai džiaugiausi. Sakiau sau, kad reikės kada nors neskubant perskaityti antrą kartą (nes visgi šįkart dėl įdomumo tiesiog surijau knygas nestabtelėdama) ir išsirašyti visus įdomius, mažiau vartojamus žodžius. Prieš anglų VBE šios knygos būtų buvusios išvis lobynas... Tačiau žodžių paaiškinimai nėra pateikiami kaip nors nuobodžiai išnašose ar pan. Ne, jie tiesiog aiškinami teksto eigoje, trumpai stabtelint istorijoje ir kontekstualiai žodį apibūdinant. Taip pat knygos gausios pačių įvairiausių epitetų, paralelių, idiomų ir t. t. Neretai konkrečioje dalyje yra pasigaunama viena idioma ar ekspresija, ir jos reikšme žongliruojama visoje knygoje. Lemony Snicket'as taip pat nėra tiesiog rašytojas - jis dalyvauja istorijoje, pasakodamas apie Baudelaire'ų vaikus pats neretai nuklysta į savo gyvenimo peripetijas, kurios glaudžiai susijusios su Baudelaire'ais. Dalelė po dalelės, galima suprasti, kaip Snicket'as susijęs visa istorija. Negana to, kiekvieną savo knygą jis dedikuoja paslaptingąjai Beatričei, kuri, kaip iškart galima suprasti, jau yra mirusi. Ir tik paskutiniame 13tos knygos puslapyje atskleidžiama, kas ta Beatričė buvo (o ji irgi susijusi su istorija). Tačiau jau kai atskleidžiama, tai man tuomet net kvapą užgniaužė. Taip pat išsiaiškinau, kad yra keletas sub-knygų, susijusių su A Series of Unfortunate Events (panašiai kaip yra kelios HP sub-knygos) - laiškai Beatričei ir Lemony Snicket'o biografija. Pasižadu sau jas greitu metu irgi perskaityti.

Gal tik pabaiga mane ne visai patenkino. Tikrai ne visos paslaptys buvo išaiškintos. Neprarandu vilties, kad galima kažką apie jas sužinoti sub-knygose, tačiau, kad ir kaip bebūtų, smalsumo palikta kaip reikiant. Taip pat tikėjausi kažkokio tolesnio Baudelaire'ų gyvenimo epilogo, kas buvo po kelerių metų ar pan., o jų ateitis buvo palikta ant klaustuko. Galbūt ne gigantiško, bet visgi klaustuko. Tačiau yra kaip yra.

O šiaip knygos tikrai makabriškos. Lyg ir norėtųsi sakyti, kad fantastinės, bet visgi ne - nieko ten tikrai fantastinio nėra. Tačiau kita vertus, kai kurie nutikimai, posūkiai, poelgiai ir šiaip dalykai yra tokie neįtikėtini ir normalioje tikrovėje negalimi, kad išeina kažkoks kafkiškas absurdas. Be to, knygose nemažai juodojo humoro ir aliuzijų į Antikos kontekstą, kas mane maloniai nustebino. Taigi, visus šiuos ir kitus dalykus sugebi įvertinti tik jau suaugęs, ir būtent tokiais aspektais vaikai šių knygų tikrai nesuprastų - jiems tai tebūtų graži pasaka.

Žodžiu, vienareikšmiškai rekomenduoju! Dar sužinojau, kad pagal šias knygas yra sukurtas naujas Netflix serialas - kaip tik esu įpusėjusi pirmą sezoną.

[Kimiya]

کل این کتاب ها رو تابستون و سال اول راهنمایی خوندم
بعضی اوقات با چراغ قوه
زیر پتو
5 صب

[Ali Fakhfoori · Rating 5 out of 5]

پانزده سالم بود که با این مجموعه به طور کاملا اتفاقی آشنا شدم و نطفه عشقم به ادبیات داستانی بسته شد. یادم نیست با ترجمه کی خواندمشان ولی هرکه بود اثر جاودانی بر ناخوداگاهم گذاشت

[Erin Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty, wild, & wonderful! Words which here mean, I thoroughly enjoyed this series! Such a unique style of writing!! I got lost in these unfortunate tales and don't wish to be found!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was little, my school's library had the Series of Unfortunate Events series, but they had two red dots on their spines. One read dot meant that you had to be at least in sixth grade to check it out, and two red dots meant that only eighth graders could check it out. However, by the time I reached sixth grade, I realized that the local public library had no such age restrictions and read the entire series within a month. I thoroughly enjoyed the series, but I didn't quite understand why the series was restricted to the older kids. Yes, it was a bit sad at times, but nothing my little eleven year old self couldn't endure.

However, having read it for the second time--this time at twenty years old, I can wisely say that my ten year old self was dead wrong. I don't know what I missed as a kid but these books are SO FRICKING DEPRESSING. For example, the series opens with the Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire's lovely day at the beach being interrupted by the news that their house burnt down in a fire that also claimed the lives of their parents. Did I mention that their respective ages are 14, 12, and under 1?

Anyways, after getting this news the orphans are placed in the custody of Count Olaf, who is their "third cousin four times removed or fourth cousin three times removed" according to Mr. Poe, the incompetent banker in charge of the Baudelaire fortune until Violet turns eighteen. However, after spending some time at his filthy mansion, the orphans discover that Olaf is only after their fortune. I really don't want to give too many spoilers away in this reviews, but the Baudelaires are able to stop his scheme and placed in the custody of another guardian. But Olaf is not so easily assuaged and hunts them down and comes up with a scheme to once again steal their fortune. And this is pretty much the formula for the first few books: orphans arrive in custody of an eccentric new guardian, things are relatively okay (sometimes not) as they adjust, Olaf shows up and causes trouble and/or deaths, then the kids are shipped off to another home.

While this formula is quite obvious for the first seven books, it doesn't get tiring at all. Each new guardian is more absurd and quirky than the last. In the third book, The Wide Window, they are put under the care of their Aunt Josephine who is cripplingly afraid of everything. For example, the kids can't even turn on a stove to heat up food because she's terrified it might result in the house burning down. But outside of those, she is truly a loving guardian. They spend the fifth book, The Austere Academy, at a boarding school that has teachers who give the Baudelaire's a hard time because their orphans and where Sunny (the baby) is forced to become a secretary for the principal. However, while there they meet another set of orphans, the Quigley's who become very important as more secrets are discovered in the series. The Vile Village takes the saying "It takes a village to raise a child" proverb literally and the orphans spend the seventh book in the legal care of an entire (and quite strange) village.

The ending of The Vile Village also drastically changes the tone and direction for the remaining books of the series. The Baudelaire orphans are framed for a crime that they did not commit and must spend the remaining books on the run as they try to discover more about the mysterious V.F.D-- a secret organization of which many characters they encounter (and their late parents) are members. There are so many questions that are raised in the second half of the book such as: what is the connection between the Quigley's and the Baudelaires? Why does Count Olaf harbor such a deep grudge against the Baudelaires? What exactly is V.F.D and what happened to it? What is the sugar bowl and why is it so damn important? And many, many other questions since the second half of the series isn't just about the Baudelaires but is also about V.F.D and the other characters they encounter.

However I'm sad to report that not all these questions get answered. The Baudelaire's chapter of the story get full closure (for the most part), but the larger story of which they only play a part, doesn't really get answered. And while reading, it's clear that it's not a result of laziness on the part of the author--he knows everything, but just isn't telling. It is a bit frustrating having all these questions that never will get answered, but I promise you this series is still worth a read. So I guess I'll talk about the things this series does right.

One aspect of the series that I appreciated a lot as an adult was the moral ambiguity. In the beginning, good and evil is as defined as black and white--which was something that I expected of a children's book. However as the series goes on, determining who or what is good and bad is not as simple anymore. Especially since the Baudelaires are forced to do things that are clearly quite horrible (especially in The Penultimate Peril--Book 11 >.<), but they are still good kids and those things were only done in order to protect themselves. A character in the tenth book, The Grim Grotto, says it the best:

"People aren't either wicked or noble. They're like chef's salad, with good things and bad things chopped and mixed together in a vinaigrette of confusion and conflict"

In addition, Lemony Snicket is the best narrator--his writing style is so unique and mature that you won't even feel like you're reading a children's book. He spends a good amount of each book urging you not to read it because of how depressing the subject matter is and has the best sense of dry humor. I guess the best way to say it is that he doesn't seem to care what he does, but that's not quite getting at it, so I'll try giving some examples. In the sixth book, The Eratz Elevator, there a a few pages that are just black, in order to show just how dark the environment was for the orphans at that point in the book.


There is a point The Bad Beginning when Klaus, the bookworm up late at night reading a book, and Lemony Snicket writes this:

"The book was long, and difficult to read, and Klaus became more and more tired as the night wore on. Occasionally his eyes would close. He found himself reading the same sentence over and over. He found himself reading the same sentence over and over. He found himself reading the same sentence over and over."


And, my personal favorite (which technically is not from the Series of Unfortunate Events series, but it's still amazing)

"If writers wrote as carelessly as some people talk, then adhasdh asdglaseuyt[bn[ pasdlgkhasdfasdf." ~Horseradish

However, in addition to writing ridiculous sentences like these he also manages to write some of the most true things that I have ever read:

“The way sadness works is one of the strange riddles of the world. If you are stricken with a great sadness, you may feel as if you have been set aflame, not only because of the enormous pain, but also because your sadness may spread over your life, like smoke from an enormous fire. You might find it difficult to see anything but your own sadness, the way smoke can cover a landscape so that all anyone can see is black. You may find that if someone pours water all over you, you are damp and distracted, but not cured of your sadness, the way a fire department can douse a fire but never recover what has been burnt down.” ~The Bad Beginning

So this post is already much longer than normal so I'm going to cut myself off here, but let it be said that I have not even covered half of what makes this series so amazing for me. There is so much more about the plot that could be said, so many unique characters that I've fallen in love with, and so many quotes that I am dying to share with you. However, I shall cut myself here in hopes that you will take it upon your self to read this wonderful series, I can promise you that you will not regret it.

[Jason Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have very mixed feelings about this series, so I can neither recommend nor not recommend it. I'm glad I read it, but also glad to be shut of it. Parts of it are great and other parts would try the patience of Job. I'm with the general consensus on here that Lemony Snicket (real name Daniel Handler) is an acquired taste and I'll go so far as to say that he never becomes an enjoyable taste. He's always a little... bitter?


"Boy, can you beat a metaphor to death."

Ah, blow it out your ditty bag, and get out of my review. Some things are so awesome and others are so annoying. It's clear Handler is a genius, or at least a fantastic researcher. Almost every name, phrase, scenario, etc. is a reference to something in the real world. Everything! For example, two of the Quagmire triplets are named Isadora and Duncan. This is a nod to a lost generation dancer named Isadora Duncan. Two other brothers are named Frank and Ernest, a reference to a popular phrase (as well as a comic strip). Every character met on a lost island is named after someone who was caught in similar circumstances (Robinson, Bligh, Ishmael ["Call me Ish"], Ariel, etc.) The series is loaded with so many Easter eggs it's a trivia buff's wet dream. I bet Handler's hell on Jeopardy! It's really quite impressive.

All the books are well-salted with fun wordplay, but it's not so heavy handed that it detracts from the plot like in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland which really doesn't have a plot at all.

The self-deprecating and dark, off the wall humor is wonderful as well, and it's with these parts that the series shines. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have bothered past the first couple of books.

Handler is a great writer but also an obnoxious one, and that brings us to the gripes. What's completely over the top is Snicket defining a word or phrase every couple of pages. The definition isn't always 100% accurate, but the inaccuracy is part of the charm when it happens. I learned a few new words this way, as well as several historical/literary/scientific facts, but I looked up a few of the "facts" just to make sure he wasn't joshing me with some tongue-in-cheek flim-flam as he was wont to do.

For several of the books he describes what each of the Baudelaire children is thinking or recalling in reaction to an incident they just witnessed. This also happens every few pages, and often takes up a page or two itself.

He constantly goes off on side stories and tangents for a page or two. These are always humorous, but also distracting.

All of these things interrupt the narrative, and I swear 30-50% could be cut from each of these books if all that nonsense was left out. Sometimes it's fun, sometimes it's aggravating, but by the fourth or fifth book I was resigned to dealing with it because it wasn't worth putting the books down for that annoyance. Still, I wouldn't hold it against anyone if they gave up because of it. My mother managed to read the first book, but going through that for 12 more was asking too much.

As for the stories themselves, they're great... but incomplete. I found myself rooting for the kids and wanting to tear my hair out over all the stupid or evil adults they had to deal with. Having such reactions and becoming so vested is a sign of a good story, so kudos for that.

Several clues and mysteries are introduced throughout the series, but the vast majority of them go unresolved, even major plot points such as a silly-ass sugar bowl that was mentioned throughout half the series as being the root cause of all the Baudelaires' misfortunes. The kids don't manage to get the answers on their own, and there's no Dumbledore to explain things at the end. No Jessica Fletcher. No Ben Matlock. No Velma, Fred, or Daphne... Holy shit... That was totally unintended but also rather awesome because it reminds me that we never even find out what the VFD was all about, and that was also at the root of the story.

One could say this is sloppy work, but I'm confident Handler did it on purpose. He has the ability to wrap up everything, but just decided to be as irksome as possible, and he pulls it off well. Luckily I was anticipating this about halfway through the series, so the lack of closure met my expectations, and I wasn't left a bereft reader.

Sorry I can't be of more help here. Be prepared for a simultaneously fun and exasperating ride if you decided to jump on this one. I expect kids would enjoy this more than more experienced readers, and that's really the target audience, so that works out. But there are also so many things an adult would love in it. Like I said at the start: very mixed feelings for this one.

Below are my reviews to the individual books if you want more details.

The Bad Beginning
The Reptile Room
The Wide Window
The Miserable Mill
The Austere Academy
The Ersatz Elevator
The Vile Village
The Hostile Hospital
The Carnivorous Carnival
The Slippery Slope
The Grim Grotto
The Penultimate Peril
The End

[Antonis Giannoulis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5/5 Αλλά καθώς είναι παιδική λογοτεχνια που διαβάζεται ευχάριστα και από ενήλικες θα το βάλω το 4αρι. Δεκατρία βιβλία περιπέτειες για 3 αδέρφια από έναν συγγραφέα με πολύ φαντασία (κινείται στα μονοπάτια των Βερν, Ronald Dahl, Neil Gaiman και πολλών άλλων…) και έξυπνο χιούμορ που σκάει συνέχεια . Δεν μπορώ να πω ότι βρήκα τα μηνύματα μέσα που θα με ακολουθήσουν σε όλη μου την ζωή και πολλές φορές ακροβατεί στα όρια του ευχάριστου και του ενοχλητικού (καθώς όπως λέει διαρκώς οι ιστορίες του δεν είναι κ τόσο χαρούμενες αλλά γεμάτες αδικία και άσχημα συμβάντα ) αλλά Παρολαυτα δεν παύει να έχει πολύ αδελφική αγάπη , πολύ διαφορετικότητα, δυνατό δέσιμο και αγάπη για το φαντασιακό σύμπαν του παιδιού .

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

i listened to all of these while sewing stuff over the last couple months but i'm an ADULT so i'm only counting them for ONE challenge book UGH

[Becky Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

The morose tone doesn’t bother me; it’s an effective device, especially for the target audience. And plot absurdity in kids books can be so fun.
But.
This had so much development potential, but it was just so chaotically organized. Twists weren’t shocking or funny, just off-putting (even through my elementary school teacher lens). Vocabulary and description was recycled (if I hear “scarcely” one more time!!), and everything about it was flat and half-baked. These are just not well-written or enjoyable.
.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars but actually 4.5. this was so beyond anything I was expecting when I picked these books up again. I read most of them as a kid--through maybe Grim Grotto? definitely Slippery Slope--but I mostly remembered the early series, VFD, and feeling more than a little out of the loop. and now I'm sitting here both amazed and also completely BAFFLED.

I love the framing device of the narration and the complexity of the series, including all its many red herrings and (purposeful?) loose ends and dropped plot points. and I do think there is value in leaving questions unanswered. so there is much I am going to be left to parse through as I think about this series.

very repetitive start though. very strange ending. I enjoy the strangeness of the ending but there is something not wholly satisfying about it. perhaps that's the point. a strange point to make, after 13 books, but it is a strange series.

strange but good? strange but good.