The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

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

by Lemony Snicket

After the sudden death of their parents, the three Baudelaire children must depend on each other and their wits when it turns out that the distant relative who is appointed their guardian is determined to use any means necessary to get their fortune.

Reviewed by Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews on

4 of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events is like a Pixar movie, entertaining for the kids but enough adult humor for the parents. On both ends it is very imaginative. The Baudelaire siblings are suddenly orphaned after their parents are killed in a house fire. Instead of going to the next of kin they are shuttled off to Count Olaf, a relative they have never heard of but lives the closest in distance. Count Olaf is a bit like Mommie Dearest, the perfect guardian when he has to be but behind closed doors is just plain evil, making the children do impossible chores and presenting them with only one bed. Wait a minute is this Cinderella? The real reason for his interest in the Baudelaire children is their large fortune which only the youngsters recognize because let's face it, adults are idiots.

The Bad Beginning is an excellent Beginning to a promising series. The characters are well developed and the plot, while rather unfortunate has nowhere to go but up. In truth, its a bizarre tale but I had to keep reading to learn of their tragic existence and horrific time with Olaf. The recounting of the three orphans, Violet, Klaus and Sunny is a very readable, unpleasant story

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 24 October, 2016: Finished reading
  • 24 October, 2016: Reviewed