Goodreads Rating: 3.69 stars
My rating: 2 stars
From Publisher's 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.
My review:
Meh.
I know, I know. Let me first say that my "meh" is *not* because I don't appreciate unfortunate events happening to people in my books. God knows I've read enough of those books and enjoyed them thoroughly. I'm not one to bemoan "depressing" books like some I know who do. I'm not even sure I consider this story (thus far) depressing. Bad things happened, but I wasn't attached to anyone. I'm not sure I was supposed to be. Sunny bugged me, I couldn't laugh at her--though I can imagine my kids laughing at her. I appreciated Klaus and Violet but not enough to really cheer for them. The inserted vocabulary lessons were okay, I suppose; they might be appreciated by the target audience, but I'm not sure if it really worked or if it was wholly necessary. I wanted a happy ending, but I didn't feel robbed without it (probably in part because I was guaranteed to not get one). Even then. "Whatever."
I did like the tongue-in-cheek term "unfortunate" and the tone of narration was different, which I didn't mind; I like the "read another book, this is sad and doesn't get happy" stuff, but...
Meh.
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