My first b77 thread.
Someone else must want to discuss these, surely? They seemed like normal children’s books at first glance, but the more I delve into them the more advanced, amusing and complex I find them.
I like the way that Lemony Snicket himself is not only the author and narrator but a character in the story. I find his numerous aside comments pretty funny, and his references to past events are intriguing. The dedications to Beatrice at the start of each book are pretty amusing.
I like the way that the books are overall quite dark and deal with some pretty advanced stuff. They’re obviously geared towards children, but Book the First has been banned in some places (read: some counties in the Southern USA) because of its alleged insinuation of incest. Still, the books are tasteful, and I wouldn’t not let children read them. In fact, I would openly encourage it; they’re packed with all sorts of information, are intelligent and complex and are great for vocabulary expansion. I even learned a few new words (‘xenial’, anyone?).
Yes, they are contrived and repetitive, but I’m willing to take both of these for their good qualities. Also, children’s literature demands a certain degree of both. At present, 11 of the proposed 13 books have been published.
My opinions on the individual books are:
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[SPOILERS]
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The Bad Beginning
I liked the way the book dived straight into the action. Clearly, it isn’t meant to stand alone, which is, in many ways, an advantage as there’s plenty left unsaid. Very dark for a children’s book; the way that Olaf’s assistants treat Violet creeps me out. I also like the fact that Snicket has written an unlikable villain for us.
The Reptile Room
I didn’t really like this one too much; I found it a bit slow and uninteresting, and that also goes for Stefano and Uncle Monty. Zombies in the Snow sounds like a lousy film.
The Wide Window
Lake Lachrymose is an interesting place, as is the village. I also find Aunt Josephine a colourful, if frustrating, character.
The Miserable Mill
A nice little book, but not too much to comment on. I wonder who Dr. Orwell and Sir were and how they fit into all this. I know that repetition lies at the heart of children's literature, but I'm starting to get sick of the basic premise of a new guardian and a new disguise by this stage.
The Austere Academy
I find this one pretty amusing, and I like the Quagmire Triplets. It is one of the deeper books, with a number of clues and lots of in-jokes and references to history and literature. It’s the first book in which the ending in somewhat different, showing a variation in the usual pattern. I tend to consider this one the start of the more serious books.
The Ersatz Elevator
I liked this one. The whole ‘in’ thing was a great tongue-in-cheek social commentary, and I find Jerome amusingly frustrating. The welding tongs idea seems a bit too way out, though. More mysteries; but it will be a long time before we get answers.
The Vile Village
I liked this one too. I found Hector and his little subplot interesting, and I liked the whole concept of the Village of Fowl Devotees. I think that it might have been more effective, though, if the Quagmires were not rescued; not now at least, anyway. Interesting to see that the characters are developing; Klaus turning 13 and Sunny learning to walk. Too often, children’s books leave the children at 11 or whatever perpetually.
The Hostile Hospital
I didn’t really like this one; I know that the story is meant to be a bit surreal but I find the idea that Klaus and Sunny could disguise themselves in surgical masks and fool everyone terribly contrived, and I doubt they could have escaped. I also find the book a little depressing (even more than usual). I got the Volunteer’s Fighting Disease song in my head and walked around mumbling it.
The Carnivorous Carnival
One of the better books IMHO; yes, the disguises are again, contrived, but I find Kevin really funny and we finally start to get some answers. I love the parody of mod psychology and prejudice. First children’s book that I’ve read in which characters are actually eaten by lions (the Volunteer Feline Detectives?). I think that more answers are needed, though. This is the first of the really serious ones, IMHO.
The Slippery Slope
Probably my favourite book in the series. We get enough information to keep us going, as well as some new mysteries. I like the setting, and I like the character of Quigley Quagmire. I also like it how the orphans are starting to get proactive.
The Grim Grotto
I like the ending of this one, especially with the poetry, but I found the book overall a bit slow, and the submarine Captain dreadfully annoying. Also, I find Fiona a poor substitute for Quigley, and I would have liked to have found more out about that menacing couple and the eagles. Interesting to see that the Baudelaires are now members of the VFD.
Does anyone know anything about the next book? I know it comes sometime in October, but there’s no word on titles or anything.