Dear Reader,
If you have picked up this book with the hope of finding a simple and cheery tale, I'm afraid you have picked up the wrong book altogether. the story may seem cheery at first, when the Baudelaire children spend time in the company of some interesting reptiles and a giddy uncle, but don't be fooled. If you know anything at all about the unlucky Baudelaire children, you already know that even pleasant events lead down the same road to misery.
In fact, within the pages you now hold in your hands, the three siblings endure a car accident, a terrible smell, a deadly serpent, a long knife, a large brass reading lamp, and the re-appearance of a person they'd hoped never to see again.
I am bound to record these tragic events, but you are free to put this book back on the shelf and seek something lighter.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket.
If you have picked up this book with the hope of finding a simple and cheery tale, I'm afraid you have picked up the wrong book altogether. the story may seem cheery at first, when the Baudelaire children spend time in the company of some interesting reptiles and a giddy uncle, but don't be fooled. If you know anything at all about the unlucky Baudelaire children, you already know that even pleasant events lead down the same road to misery.
In fact, within the pages you now hold in your hands, the three siblings endure a car accident, a terrible smell, a deadly serpent, a long knife, a large brass reading lamp, and the re-appearance of a person they'd hoped never to see again.
I am bound to record these tragic events, but you are free to put this book back on the shelf and seek something lighter.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket.
My Review:
It seems that the second book in A Series of Unfortunate Events was even more tragic than the first and that is perhaps because we are given such a small glimmer of hope that the Baudelaire's might be okay.
Uncle Monty is such a kind and well thought through character with more layers than I think I've seen from any of the other characters in this series so far. This was probably why the loss of him was so much more hard hitting than the thought of the Baudelaire parents perishing.
In fact, the story was so exciting and moving that I only had a single qualm. My issue is with the way Snicket represents adults in his novels and whilst I know it serves a purpose for his story, it still irritates me. In the Baudelaire's world, all adults are absolute, complete idiots which is simply ridiculous. I cannot believe that these adults cannot recognise Olaf in his disguises that aren't even particularly complicated. However, I think I love the story far too much to allow something as small as that to take away from the experience.
Uncle Monty is such a kind and well thought through character with more layers than I think I've seen from any of the other characters in this series so far. This was probably why the loss of him was so much more hard hitting than the thought of the Baudelaire parents perishing.
In fact, the story was so exciting and moving that I only had a single qualm. My issue is with the way Snicket represents adults in his novels and whilst I know it serves a purpose for his story, it still irritates me. In the Baudelaire's world, all adults are absolute, complete idiots which is simply ridiculous. I cannot believe that these adults cannot recognise Olaf in his disguises that aren't even particularly complicated. However, I think I love the story far too much to allow something as small as that to take away from the experience.
Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think?Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!
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