The Bad Beginning (Series of Unfortunate Events, #1)

by Lemony Snicket

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

I'm not sure if it was the audiobook recording, or just a lack of memory, but this book is a lot more grim and horrible than I remembered.

And yes, I know, Lemony Snicket warns you in the blurb.  In the first words of the first chapter.  It's there out in the open that this isn't a happy book about butterflies and kittens, but I had somehow forgotten the sheer level of child abuse in this book?

Because I watched the Netflix series recently enough to have that fresh in my mind, I do remember that the rest of the series is a little less disturbing on this level, but I can't believe I hadn't noticed or at least internalized how abusive Count Olaf is to these kids.  He's set up to be a villain, and oh yes, he is villainous.  From the way he treats the children like servants and refuses to provide simple resources for them like more than one bed, to the physical abuse, to the extreme amount of emotional abuse.

It's just.

Not good.

And I know that on some level, the series is about these children securing their own liberation and taking down this horrible syndicate, but also from a completely different perspective, Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler has made a fortune on a series about children being subjected to cruelty and incompetence that would irreversibly scar them for the rest of their lives.  The abuse is sickening, and the gaslighting and emotional abuse Olaf creates is ... just... horrible.  And despite having read these before, despite knowing this, it never really sunk in until I listened to the audiobook.

Tim Curry's reading is dark and unforgiving.  Olaf isn't a bumbling villain like I've always pictured him - he is sharp and cruel and malicious. From a very technical perspective, the audiobook (even though it's a full cast) isn't great, because the volume leveling on the sound effects and music makes it loud enough to distract (and sometimes cover) narration.  But if you wanted a dark reading of this series, you've got it in Tim Curry.

I'm having a difficult time reckoning my feelings about this book.  I remember reading them growing up, and I know why Olaf is painted the way he is.  You need to hate him.  But I'm not sure I can forgive this first book for the way it behaves toward Violet, Klaus, and Sunny.  I'm just... torn, disappointed, and a little horrified.

For a breakdown on my rating, and other bookish content, please visit The Literary Phoenix
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Original Review (2015): 5 Stars