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Lemony Snicket

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The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) Hardcover – Deckle Edge, August 25, 1999

by Lemony Snicket (Author), Brett Helquist (Illustrator)

4.6 9,151 ratings

Book 1 of 13: A Series of Unfortunate Events

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NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Never before has a tale of three likeable and unfortunate children been quite so enchanting, or quite so uproariously unhappy.

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent children. They are charming, and resourceful, and have pleasant facial features. Unfortunately, they are exceptionally unlucky.

In the first two books alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, a lumpy bed, a deadly serpent, a large brass reading lamp, a long knife, and a terrible odor.

Reading age

8 - 11 years, from customers
Book 1 of 13

A Series of Unfortunate Events
Print length

162 pages
Language

English
Grade level

5 - 6
Lexile measure

1010L
Dimensions

5 x 0.74 x 7 inches
Publisher

HarperCollins
Publication date

August 25, 1999
ISBN-10

9780064407663
ISBN-13

978-0064407663
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Popular Highlights in this book

What are popular highlights?

Sometimes, just saying that you hate something, and having someone agree with you, can make you feel better about a terrible situation.
Highlighted by 2,892 Kindle readers
He found himself reading the same sentence over and over. He found himself reading the same sentence over and over. He found himself reading the same sentence over and over.
Highlighted by 2,696 Kindle readers
They didn’t understand it, but like so many unfortunate events in life, just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it isn’t so.
Highlighted by 1,734 Kindle readers

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Make no mistake. The Bad Beginning begins badly for the three Baudelaire children, and then gets worse. Their misfortunes begin one gray day on Briny Beach when Mr. Poe tells them that their parents perished in a fire that destroyed their whole house. "It is useless for me to describe to you how terrible Violet, Klaus, and even Sunny felt in the time that followed," laments the personable (occasionally pedantic) narrator, who tells the story as if his readers are gathered around an armchair on pillows. But of course what follows is dreadful. The children thought it was bad when the well-meaning Poes bought them grotesque-colored clothing that itched. But when they are ushered to the dilapidated doorstep of the miserable, thin, unshaven, shiny-eyed, money-grubbing Count Olaf, they know that they--and their family fortune--are in real trouble. Still, they could never have anticipated how much trouble. While it's true that the events that unfold in Lemony Snicket's novels are bleak, and things never turn out as you'd hope, these delightful, funny, linguistically playful books are reminiscent of Roald Dahl (remember James and the Giant Peach and his horrid spinster aunts), Charles Dickens (the orphaned Pip in Great Expectations without the mysterious benefactor), and Edward Gorey (The Gashlycrumb Tinies). There is no question that young readers will want to read the continuing unlucky adventures of the Baudelaire children in The Reptile Room and The Wide Window. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson

From Publishers Weekly

"If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book." So cautions Snicket, the exceedingly well-mannered narrator of these two witty mock-gothic novels featuring the misadventures of 14-year-old Violet, 12-year-old Klaus and infant Sunny Baudelaire. From the first, things look unfortunate indeed for the trio: a fire destroys their home, killing their parents along with it; the executor of their parents' estate, the obtuse Mr. Poe (with a son, Edgar), ignores whatever the children have to say; and their new guardian, Count Olaf, is determined to get his hands on the Baudelaire fortune. But by using their individual gifts (Violet's for inventing, Klaus's for reading and researching and baby Sunny's for biting) the three enterprising children thwart the Count's planAfor now. The author uses formal, Latinate language and intrusive commentary to hilarious effect, even for readers unfamiliar with the literary conventions he parodies. The peril in which he places the Baudelaires may be frightening (Count Olaf actually follows through on his threats of violence on several occasions), but the author paints the satire with such broad strokes that most readers will view it from a safe distance. Luckily for fans, the woes of the Baudelaires are far from over; readers eager for more misfortune can turn to The Reptile Room, for an even more suspenseful tale. Exquisitely detailed drawings of Gothic gargoyles and mischievous eyes echo the contents of this elegantly designed hardcover. Age 9-up. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Grade 4-6-This series chronicles the unfortunate lives of the Baudelaire children: Violet, 14; Klaus, 12; and the infant, Sunny. In Bad Beginning, their parents and possessions perish in a fire, and the orphans must use their talents to survive as their lives move from one disastrous event to another. Surrounded by dim-witted though well-meaning adults, the Baudelaires find themselves in the care of their evil relative, Count Olaf, a disreputable actor whose main concern is getting his hands on the children's fortune. When Olaf holds Sunny hostage to force Violet to marry him, it takes all of the siblings' resourcefulness to outwit him. Violet's inventive genius, Klaus's forte for research, and Sunny's gift for biting the bad guys at opportune moments save the day. However, the evil Count escapes, only to return in The Reptile Room just as the children are settling into a far more pleasant life with their new guardian, Uncle Monty, who is promptly murdered by Olaf and his cohorts. Though the villain escapes again, and beloved Uncle Monty is dead, the children are safe...for now. While the misfortunes hover on the edge of being ridiculous, Snicket's energetic blend of humor, dramatic irony, and literary flair makes it all perfectly believable. The writing, peppered with fairly sophisticated vocabulary and phrases, may seem daunting, but the inclusion of Snicket's perceptive definitions of difficult words makes these books challenging to older readers and excellent for reading aloud.
Linda Bindner, formerly at Athens Clarke County Library, GA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The Baudelaire childrenViolet, 14, Klaus, 12, and baby Sunnyare exceedingly ill-fated; Snicket extracts both humor and horror from their situation, as he gleefully puts them through one terrible ordeal after another. After receiving the news that their parents died in a fire, the three hapless orphans are delivered into the care of Count Olaf, who ``is either a third cousin four times removed, or a fourth cousin three times removed.'' The villainous Count Olaf is morally depraved and generally mean, and only takes in the downtrodden yet valiant children so that he can figure out a way to separate them from their considerable inheritance. The youngsters are able to escape his clutches at the end, but since this is the first installment in A Series of Unfortunate Events, there will be more ghastly doings. Written with old-fashioned flair, this fast-paced book is not for the squeamish: the Baudelaire children are truly sympathetic characters who encounter a multitude of distressing situations. Those who enjoy a little poison in their porridge will find it wicked good fun. (b&w illustrations, not seen) (Fiction. 10-12) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

Praise for A Series of Unfortunate Events: “Hilarious. Luckily for fans, the woes of the Baudelaires are far from over.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Those who enjoy a little poison in their porridge will find it wicked good fun.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Irrepressible, brave and charming.” — New York Times Book Review

“With a cast of unforgettable characters, a distinctly literary air, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this is a great match for dark comedy fans.” — Brightly

From the Back Cover

About the Author

Lemony Snicket had an unusual education, which may or may not explain his ability to evade capture. He is the author of the 13 volumes in A Series of Unfortunate Events, several picture books including The Dark, and the books collectively titled All The Wrong Questions.

Brett Helquist's celebrated art has graced books from the charming Bedtime for Bear, which he also wrote, to the New York Times–bestselling A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket to the glorious picture book adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. He lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0064407667
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins (August 25, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 162 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780064407663
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0064407663
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 11 years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1010L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 - 6
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.5 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.74 x 7 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #13,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #11 in Children's Books on Orphans & Foster Homes
- #82 in Children's Siblings Books (Books)
- #623 in Children's Action & Adventure Books (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 9,151 ratings

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Lemony Snicket claims he was nowhere near the scene of the crime. He is the author of several other unpleasant stories, including those in the bestselling A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Lump of Coal.

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Cristina Brito

Great book

Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2024

She loves it

got some good reviews, and I got curious

Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2017

Verified Purchase

Let me preface this with I'm about to turn 30. I don't have kids, I'm not overly interested with any child rearing.

I knew about these books years ago, but I felt at the time I'd be too old for them. I knew about the movie based on them and, again, felt a little too old from what I saw in the trailers. Netflix made a series about it, got some good reviews, and I got curious. After finishing the first season (which is all there is as of the writing of this review), I'm actually considering getting a tattoo. I've read up, and knowing that the author of the books also did the screenplay for the Netflix series....this might not be the most wholly honest review in the world since I haven't read the entire book, but I do have my bit to say after seeing the series based on the same book(s) that had its screenplay written by the same author.

I've read the first chapter and skimmed the rest (which cements that last paragraph), and I am kicking myself for not reading this earlier. These books were literally published at a time in my life that I would've appreciated them the most. Here are lessons that I sorely needed at the time, and I know practically every teen needs to know these things: (1) What makes you unique doesn't make you weird, it makes you useful, (2) Adults don't know everything, no matter how much they say they do, (3) Manipulative and abusive personalities should be avoided at all costs, as should their "flying monkeys," so to speak (4) "Clueless" adults may just be naive, even willfully so, but they can be very good people at heart and brought back to your reality with enough perseverance.

These amazing messages are delivered in a melancholy way, but I would argue that many tweens and early teens feel melancholy themselves. I know I did. The unfortunate events in this book are so over the top that you can't help tie them to real events in your own life at times. I've always rolled my eyes at books aimed at this age demographic, yet here I am at almost 30, and chomping at the bit to tear my way through the series. I'm not going to lie....I'm expecting to learn another life lesson along the way that I somehow skipped over after all these years.

24 people found this helpful

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Jessica

A Great Book That Teaches Good Values

Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2014

Verified Purchase

I read one of the reviews left by a critic of this book. She complained she couldn't endorse this book because the children were not as admirable (among other things) as the children in Harry Potter. I disagree with her. Though I do like the Harry Potter series myself, if I had to recommend a book that I feel teaches children good values, I'd recommend this series over Harry Potter. Harry Potter has some good values too, but all the magic and impossible things rather obscure them.

What I like about this series is that it teaches several valuable things. One, it teaches that life is not fair. Two, it teaches that adults are not infallible. They can be kind and have your best interests at heart, but sometimes they can be fooled. This may not be something many adults want their kids to realize, but frankly--I think it is a good idea for them to learn it. Inevitably, parents and other adult caretakers make mistakes...and if children don't realize that adults can make mistakes and have errors in judgment, they have no choice to believe that you did something on purpose.

But the best thing about this book is that it shows the Baudelaire children managing to prevent the worst disasters and foil the bad buys with real life skills. No, unlike Harry Potter, they can't wave their wand and get out of a situation. They still get bounced around from one guardian to the next. They still get pursued by the bad guy. However, they manage to escape danger and ruin the bad guy's plans in every book. And how do they do this? Violet uses her ingenuity and mechanical skills to invent things out of objects around her. Klaus, the bookworm, uses his extensive knowledge on various objects. Even Sunny, who is a mere baby, is not a total dead weight. She has sharp teeth, and she knows how to use them. The greatest strength the Baudelaires have is their love for each other, and this is the one bright thing in their otherwise unfortunate life.

This book teaches kids that even if they can't always alter their circumstances and are stuck in a situation, it doesn't mean they are helpless. And they don't have to have magical powers either. There are plenty of real life skills that can help them.

29 people found this helpful

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Mackenzie R.

Above expectation

Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2023

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The book came in better shape than I thought! Literally no wear or tear at all! It did tske a little longer to ship to me but I got a perfect book for a fraction of the price and it's basically new! I will order from this seller again!

2 people found this helpful

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K.T.

Hardcover

Reviewed in Canada on September 21, 2023

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Just as I remembered from when I was a kid. Perfect condition and quick delivery.

Mrs Pi

Marvelous!!

Reviewed in Germany on July 13, 2023

Verified Purchase

I love the language and storytelling of Lemony Snicket. He manages to do magic with simple words. I bought this first volume of the series out of pure curiosity and to brush up on my English skills. Even as an adult, I was able to immerse myself immediately in the childish world of the Beaudelaire siblings and read the book through in one go. The plot captivated me. On to the second part!

Rani Kumari

Good

Reviewed in India on June 1, 2023

Verified Purchase

Good

Haroon Yousuf

Great gift

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2021

Verified Purchase

This book I first read 20 years ago, as a child, and now my niece is the same age as when I got introduced to the book in school, not only did I love it, but she does too, and she's now getting into reading even though for a long time she didn't like books, and when I offered her to buy it she said no, but now that she's read the first chapter she always reads at night.

This is a great book to introduce to children, yes there's no happy ending (not a spoiler, the blurb says it itself, and there are 13 books in the series.) But still it is great for children, and to be honest even an adult would like the books themselves in my opinion.

The book comes with a book mark built in, in the form of a string (I don't know the name for it) and is very high quality, and would be great for collectors too.

2 people found this helpful

Susy Blanco Alvarez

Excelente compra !!!

Reviewed in Mexico on July 21, 2019

Verified Purchase

Mi hija encantada con el libro, altamente recomendable, le gustaron tanto que hicimos el esfuerzo y ya compramos toda la saga que son 13 libros, el extra es que práctica su inglés

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