The Bad Beginning
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After the sudden death of their parents, the three Baudelaire children must depend on each other and their wits when it turns out that the distant relative who is appointed their guardian is determined to use any means necessary to get their fortune.
- Series of unfortunate events - bk. 01
"Inside: Extra stories & extra art for no extra cents"--Cover
Author's notes (p.170-183)
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Age
Add Age Suitabilityred_crocodile_191 thinks this title is suitable for All Ages
green_ant_353 thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 99 and 99
Violet_Wolf_71 thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 10 and 13
kitty124963 thinks this title is suitable for All Ages
Blue_Dolphin_963 thinks this title is suitable for 12 years and over
Dr_Inferno thinks this title is suitable for 14 years and over
TheBigMan thinks this title is suitable for 12 years and over
vchuynh thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 10 and 25
Black_Cat_189 thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 8 and 11
Summary
Add a SummaryViolet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are turned orphans when their parents suddenly die in a house fire. They are sent by the manager of their parents' funds, Mr. Poe, to live with a distant relative, Count Olaf. Count Olaf was an evil man, making them do chores and cook for his theatre troupe, who are equally evil people. One day Count Olaf orders the children to perform in a play called the Marvelous Marriage. In which case he asks his next door neighbor, Justice Strauss (a judge) to play herself in the play, violet to play his fiancee, and he will play the groom. Since a justice of the peace is present and they would sign actual marriage licenses, the marriage would be legal and he would be in charge of the rich fortune that was to await Violet when she turned 18. Klaus uncovers this plan after reading a book on nuptial law. Klaus confronts Olaf and Violet refuses to play the part but she is forced to because Olaf takes Sunny and places her in a cage on the top of a tower and threatens to drop her off the top of the tower. Violet is forced to play the part, so she goes through with the whole play. Once the marriage license is signed, Olaf announces to the crowd that he is legally married to Violet. Then Violet announces that she signed the license with her left hand. Everyone watching the play tries to capture Olaf and his theatre troupe, but they quickly turn off all the lights and the whole troupe escapes in a car.
Notices
Add a NoticeCoarse Language: crap
Violence: you might crap
Sexual Content: some crap
Frightening or Intense Scenes: holly ...crap
Quotes
Add a Quote"crap"
“I don't know if you've ever noticed this, but first impressions are often entirely wrong. You can look at a painting for the first time, for example, and not like it at all, but after looking at it a little longer you may find it very pleasing. The first time you try Gorgonzola cheese you may find it too strong, but when you are older you may want to eat nothing but Gorgonzola cheese. Klaus, when Sunny was born, did not like her at all, but by the time she was six weeks old the two of them were thick as thieves. Your initial opinion on just about anything may change over time.”
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Add a CommentI read the first 8 before the rest came out. These books are amazing and Ive read them all millions of times! (:
I think this book was amazing!It might be sad but the authors writing and choice of words is amazing!
I thought this book was quite good and I really enjoyed it. I also found it a bit sad. My favourite character was Violet
Very clever and entertaining!
my freind had this book. its good!
I found this book sad and depressing, but it still had me reading it until the end. How I finished this book, was a mystery to me, but It must have been the author's style of writing that kept me engaged. I don't know? But I do know this I won't ever read this book again, it was to despairing for me to like. A nice change from the usual happy ending though.
Great book, miserable series. You can take the second book and just replace the names and locations and then you have the next 10 books. I think the last one was different but it was really confusing and there was whales and islands or something.
I really enjoyed this book. Lemony Snicket's style of writing is engaging (and gives me wonderous ideas for my own writing) and different than the usual stories I read. I could relate closely to the characters, being a bookworm like Klaus, an oddity like Violet, and what with my own father being dead. (Cancer, if you were wondering.) There are certainly things the children experience that I have not (like a crazy relative wanting to marry you and sticking your little sister in a very precarious situation). The book is a little depressing but everyone can use a book like that every now and then. The world isn't a nice place and it's nice when authors aren't afraid to tell you so. I find it rather funny that there are two very extreme reactions to this book. Either you love it or you hate it. Now if you'll excuse me, I am off to request the next book in line!
Read this series a few years ago.. So sad. Broke my heart! But really great books!
I had only seen the movie version of this great series. I decided the book would be a better intro for my young children, and I was right! They loved it. A bit dark, but incredibly entertaining and the children do come out as confident problem solvers and heroes in their own right. My daughter especially enjoyed it!