Depressing Series Lacks Magic

If you crave some good postmodernism in children's arts and lit, watch the Simpsons.

If you want to avoid some truly useless postmodernism for tots, don't waste your time on these books.

Actually, many parents keep their youngest ones away from the Simpsons, and for good reason. That brilliant cartoon series is loaded with adult humor. But many of those same cautious parents would read to their kids this series of creepy books. Just because some crafty marketing person at Harper compared them to Harry Potter.

Note: I wouldn't mind knowing what J K Rowlings thinks of Lemony Snicket's work.

People who want their kids to hear tales of adventure and of triumph over adversity, can go to any number of classic children's books. What sets apart diverse classics such as A Wrinkle in Time and Rapunzel, from the likes of A Series of Unfortunate Events, is the uplifting magic of wrongs truly righted, and of puzzles terminatedly solved.

The series in review simply offer no hope at all to the reader. At every bend in the road, Snicket (I'd hide behind a pseudonym, too, if I were the creator of these books) invokes woe and hopelessness. It can drive you batty, all the too-bad-we-weren't-there-to-warn-them's. It's just a downer, all the way, as unrelentingly awful as the Chuckie series of horror movies. (Child's Play, I believe, is the series... and let us not forget what part that evil-can't-be-overcome movie played in the horrific murder enacted by two young boys in the UK last decade).

I can see that there are a few kids who liked the books and have reported as much at this site. But I would imagine they are of a certain age (not sure which age, exactly) and certain fortitude. That doesn't mean these books are appropriate for most kids. Why take the chance of depressing your kids, when there's so much great adventure to be enjoyed in other books?

I still have the books lying around... think I'll move 'em over towards the fireplace.

Great. I mean horrible.

Don't believe a thing Lemony Snicket says - the only way these books of woe will have you crying is if you laugh really, really hard.

Lemony Snicket has a fresh, unique, and hilarious writing style. He speaks very plainly, explaining things along the way with his signature phrase, "a word which here means". Always he reminds his readers that they do not have to read these awful books that will only bring nights of wailing and weeping, although he has sworn to record them. Sometimes Snicket is deliciously non-sequitur - "...you would run much slower if you were dragging something behind you, like a knapsack or a sheriff". And each book is morbidly dedicated to a so far unknown woman named Beatrice. "Beatrice - Darling, dearest, dead."

Although the books are sold as children's books (or perhaps because of it), I would recommend these books to adults who are secure enough in their maturity to read them. Some of the humor might actually be hard for young children to understand unless they are great cynics already.

The basic plot of the story is this: three siblings - Violet, Claus, and Sunny Baudelaire - lose their parents in a fire. They are sent off to live with their "uncle", Count Olaf. Olaf is a horrible, detestable man who will do anything, however evil and dishonorable, to get his hands on the fortune that the Baudelaires will inherit as soon as Violet is of age. The Baudelaires find themselves in frustratingly hopeless and distressing situations, mostly because of the (oh, so aggravating!) thickheadedness of the adults around them. So using their special skills, Violet, Claus, and Sunny try and find solutions themselves - by inventing, researching, and biting things, respectively. They wriggle out of immediate danger, but there is never exactly a happy ending - instead, one that is relieved but forebodes more calamity.

The plot seems very repetitive through the fourth book - the Baudelaires live with various guardians and end up in equally desperate situations with Olaf on their tail. But don't be discouraged! By the fifth book, a larger picture begins to show. A whole mystery opens up - the VFD. What caused the fire which in which the Baudelaires' parents perished? Why are do all their guardians have so much in common? I won't give anything away, but the mystery builds through the rest of the books. The reader picks up little clues and tries to piece things together. The final two books have not been written yet, so don't expect a complete answer soon.

There are eleven books, but they are relatively small and quick reads. When you get through them, read The Unauthorized Autobiography. Snicket himself is an obscure sort of character in his books - he hasn't participated in any action yet, but it seems that he may have to soon. The Authobiography gives loads of tantalizing information (or just more questions) about the VFD.

In summary, The Series of Unfortunate Events is a hilarious, well-written action-and-mystery story, and just as suitable for brave adults as for children.

Fun easy read

His books are just great. German being my second language I even benefit from his fun word definitions! His ideas are colorful and exciting, his writing flows and keeps you wanting more. The main characters are courageous and loving, except for Count Olaf of course, who embodies the kind of folk that's just out for your money. Timeless stories for all generations!