by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler); illus. by Brett Helquist

E-book, Harper, 2012

Rare edition originally published in print 2003. The Bad Beginning originally published 1999

(wow! this book spans 3 of my tagging decades!)

Image from publisher

“If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book,” warns the first sentence of The Bad Beginning.  The three Baudelaire orphans begin their day just like any other, heading to Briny Beach to enjoy the tourist-free foggy seaside.  But a figure emerges from the mist, materializes into their parents’ friend Mr. Poe, and informs them that their parents “have perished in a terrible fire” (21).   Violet, 14, has a talent for inventing, and ties her hair up in a ribbon when she is concentrating.  Klaus, 12, reads a lot, and can remember lots of helpful information.  Sunny, an infant, likes to bite things.  The orphans are brought to the dilapidated home of their mysterious relative, Count Olaf, whom they had never met.  He is less than an ideal guardian, and the children experience such woes as having to share one lumpy mattress, being forced to cook dinner for Olaf’s drunken acting troupe, and generally being ignored by most everyone.  Their only solace lies in their neighbor, Justice Strauss, and her prodigious library.  The story is narrated by Lemony Snicket, who seems to know a lot more than he lets on, warns the reader repeatedly of the book’s unhappy ending, and makes cryptic references to a woman named Beatrice.  These mysteries are very enticing, and lead readers to speculate and eagerly await further installations in the story*.  He uses an imaginative vocabulary, defining words when they may be tricky for young readers, creative comparisons, and a dry humor that make the writing style as enjoyable as the story.  The world Daniel Handler has created is one not unlike our own, but filled with elements that are just beyond belief. 

A few words on the Rare Ebook edition: 

The preface to this edition begins: “‘Rare’ is a word which can mean either ‘not burnt to a crisp, and likely to make you ill’ or ‘slightly harder to find’. I am sad to say that this rare and wretchedly enhanced edition of The Bad Beginning fits both of these definitions.” Special features of the ebook edition include the Rare Edition’s new chapter of author’s notes, hyperlinked from the text, a color illustration of a poster for The Marvelous Marriage, and an embedded Scream and Run Away video.  The author’s notes actually add plot points not contained in the original print version and provide more space for Lemony Snicket’s research and hypotheses.  This version is particularly appropriate for those who have already read and enjoyed the series. 

 *I myself have read not only all 13 books in the series, but also the companion works The Beatrice Letters, and Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Biography, and am eagerly awaiting his new series

(This review was originally submitted to my Materials for Children class)