BOTM OCTOBER — Poison for breakfast by Lemony Snicket

[Caroline, Moderate]

All discussions to go in this folder. Share with us your thoughts on the book, ur favourite quote or line, the character you like the most or any or everything that you liked or disliked about this book.

Readers who have read the book already can also discuss the book but keep away from spoilers or use the spoiler tab.


A little about the Book
For more than twenty years, Lemony Snicket has led millions of young readers through a mysterious world of bewildering questions and unfortunate events. With this latest book—a love letter to readers young and old about the vagaries of real life—longtime fans and new readers alike will experience Snicket’s distinctive voice in a new way.

This true story—as true as Lemony Snicket himself—begins with a puzzling note under his door: You had poison for breakfast. Following a winding trail of clues to solve the mystery of his own demise, Snicket takes us on a thought-provoking tour of his predilections: the proper way to prepare an egg, a perplexing idea called “tzimtzum,” the sublime pleasure of swimming in open water, and much else.

Poison for Breakfast is a classic-in-the-making that—in the great tradition of modern fables like The Little Prince and The Phantom Tollbooth—will delight readers of all ages.

Pages: 158(depending on the edition)

Looking forward to everyone’s active participation and fun discussion.

HAPPY READING!📚📚

[Caroline, Moderate]

Discussions are open

[♥ Sandi ❣]

I have this and plan to start it soon.

[Caroline, Moderate]

♥ Sandi ❣ wrote: "I have this and plan to start it soon."

Me too. Will discuss it chapter by chapter

[♥ Sandi ❣]

Ok that works for me. I try to read a couple books chapter to chapter or section by section - like Ford County - which is short stories.

[♥ Sandi ❣]

This first chapter seems to be just the set up for the story. A little background on Snicket, but not much more. He keeps referring to "back then" so obvioulsy this is not happening in real time, but we are being told the story at a later date.

[♥ Sandi ❣]

♥ Sandi ❣ wrote: "Ok that works for me. I try to read a couple books chapter to chapter or section by section - like Ford County - which is short stories."

I see there are some very short chapter in this book, so I may read more than one at a time but I will indicate what chapters in my posts.

[♥ Sandi ❣]

Chapter 2 ~~ (view spoiler)[ Snicket is feeling his mortality. He is worrying over the note he found and talking about death and funerals. Trying to decide if that note is real or not and who may have planted it, and whether or not he really ate poison (hide spoiler)]

We learn a bit more about how Snicket thinks in this chapter. The note is upper most on his mind.

[Caroline, Moderate]

Chapter 1: Completed this chapter this morning. I found the tone of Snicket writing very interesting. It’s a blend of Philosophy with a twist of humour.

And I agree with you Sandi that this chapter is the build up to the main story.

I also found the writers usage of examples throughout this chapter very interesting.

[Cpt. Disco]

Got the book in pdf format and went through chapter 1 and at the end of it realized I did not understand a lick of what's going on as the writing is so all over the place with Snicket reminiscing over one thing then another and another. switched to audiobook from chapter 2. hopefully it'll start making some sense now. 🥴

[Caroline, Moderate]

In chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ Snicket is all out to get to the bottom of the poisonous and the strange not in his hand. While he keeps remembering events from his past (hide spoiler)]

As of now there is no story except for a little mystery caused be the note found at Snicket's doorstep.

[Caroline, Moderate]

♥ Sandi ❣ wrote: "Chapter 2 ~~ [spoilers removed]

We learn a bit more about how Snicket thinks in this chapter. The note is upper most on his mind."
Yes that's true. Hoping for some amazing twist and mystery ahead.

[Caroline, Moderate]

RTNS wrote: "Got the book in pdf format and went through chapter 1 and at the end of it realized I did not understand a lick of what's going on as the writing is so all over the place with Snicket reminiscing o..."

Yes the writing is a bit confusing for the start. But i didn't find it that hard to follow.

[♥ Sandi ❣]

Where is the possible poison in Snicket's breakfast?

Tea
with honey,
a piece of toast
with cheese,
one sliced pear,
and an egg perfectly prepared.

(view spoiler)[Chapter three...
Snicket is headed out to revisit his morning market place. Trying to figure out if he was poisoned and if so by what food.

Chapter four...
Snicket begins with the tea shop. But it is closed. So we are gifted with nonsensical stories instead.

Chapter five...
On to the market where Snicket buys his honey. Convinced it is not honey that has been poisoned, he is reminded that there is also 'water' in his tea and that should be checked out also.

Chapter Six...
A chapter about water - not the water used for Snicket's tea however. Water in a glass, in the shower and swimming in the sea. No mention of his poisoned breakfast in this chapter.

Chapter Seven...
We are on to the bread - or toast that Snicket had for breakfast. This is discussed in the excess of a supermarket. Who is paid enough in the growing of the grain and manufacture and distribution of the bread? (hide spoiler)]

We spend a lot of time in the explanation of words used by Snicket. 'This word means...' 'This word refers to...' This happens every second or third page, interrupting the story, but expressed in passing and does not stop the flow of thought.

[♥ Sandi ❣]

Chapters 8 thru 13...

(view spoiler)[ Chapter 8...
The cheese in his breakfast is related to a herd of goats in the park

Chapter 9...
a random story about a monk growing a magical pear tree

Chapter 10...
the chicken or the egg question! this question lead to seeking knowledge

Chapter 11...
Ahhhh - real spoiler here !!!!!!!!!!!! (view spoiler)[Snicket wrote the note! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12...
Snicket philosophizes on death - not knowing the how or when, just knowing the certainty

Chapter 13...
His 'to do' list (hide spoiler)]

In the end it is all about the journey!

[Caroline, Moderate]

♥ Sandi ❣ wrote: "Chapters 8 thru 13...

Chapter 8...
The cheese in his breakfast is related to a herd of goats in the park

Chapter 9...
a random story about a monk growing a magical pear tree

Chapter 10...
the c..."

Getting to the end, will give my opinion soon. Liking the story till now kind of witty

[Toni]

This is my first Lemony Snicket. I wasn’t enthusiastic to read it. I’m pretty sure my daughter was reading these in the 2000s ( don’t judge me for not knowing for sure). It took me a while to get into the swing of it, but I liked it. The circular shape of the story and discourse about literature, life and death and other things. A good read. Maybe I’ll try another?

[Caroline, Moderate]

Toni wrote: "This is my first Lemony Snicket. I wasn’t enthusiastic to read it. I’m pretty sure my daughter was reading these in the 2000s ( don’t judge me for not knowing for sure). It took me a while to get i..."

Yes Toni I do agree with you the story does move it circles, I was confused at times as well. But it was overall a good book.