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| A Series of Unfortunate Events https://archive.holyworlds.org/viewtopic.php?f=250&t=1232 |
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| Author: | Valia [ October 11th, 2010, 9:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Has anyone read this series by Lemony Snicket? I think they're very interesting (if a little dark), and there are so many twists and turns! The only problem is that you never totally figure everything out.  Oh, and the humor sometimes is subtle, but, OH so funny. Hilarious. Feel free to discuss. |
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| Author: | Evening L. Aspen [ October 11th, 2010, 10:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I read/listened to the books, and had mixed feelings about them. I liked the subtle humor and the idea of a not-happily-ever-after story. I wasn't sure if I liked the characters, especially the villain, Count Olaf. He felt... flat. The kind of villain that doesn't seem to have a motive beyond causing pain to innocent children. Ok, so he wanted the kids' family inheritance, but he went to a lot of trouble just for that money. I was not convinced.  The other thing I didn't like was the ending. It felt very anti-climactic somehow.My favorite scene is when they're at the hotel and they go up to the roof and there are sunbathers and there's the guy with the giant spatula flipping them over to get an even tan... hilarious.  So yeah, I had mixed feelings about it. Some parts were really funny and creative, and others felt flat. But that's just me. 
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| Author: | Kiev Shawn [ October 12th, 2010, 7:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I've read most of them, and I had a similar reaction. The funny parts, like the twists on words, were really funny. Count Olaf didn't convince me either, it seemed like he just kept on showing up. There wasn't much motive for him to be so persistent. Any thoughts on why the series is so popular? |
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| Author: | Varon [ October 12th, 2010, 10:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Human nature's tendency to focus on the bad things in life? |
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| Author: | Kiev Shawn [ October 12th, 2010, 10:16 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Ha ha. Maybe... I'm not exactly sure why, but I might be able to analyze more after I have finished the series. I have about 4 more books left.
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| Author: | Willow Wenial Mimetes [ October 12th, 2010, 6:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Why the series is popular: 1. It makes most other people's troubles look like sunshine. 2. If you look at the political points Snicket makes, and the way he plays on some familiar misconceptions about life, reality, etc...it's REALLY satyrical! It's funny! He uses hyperbole perfectly so we can laugh at mankind's own stupidity. 3. You really ARE rooting for Baudelaires. It's like in a horror movie where the monsters won't stop chasing! You feel so sorry for the people who can't get a break, and you want to see when they finally get a break.
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| Author: | Kiev Shawn [ October 12th, 2010, 7:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
That basically summarizes why I'm reading them. I didn't have it defined like that, but yeah... He manages to poke fun at oxymorons (and more!) in a backwards way that is quite entertaining.
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| Author: | Andrew Amnon Mimetes [ October 14th, 2010, 8:43 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I've seen the movie...are the books similar? Should I read them, since I did enjoy the movie (though not a favorite)? eruheran |
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| Author: | Valia [ October 14th, 2010, 10:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I think the movie is pretty good but it only covers the first 3 books and they do leave some of the parts out:( So there are still a lot more mysteries in the books. Since you liked the movie I would read the books too. |
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| Author: | Andrew Amnon Mimetes [ October 15th, 2010, 12:05 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I heard that the movie basically covers the first three guardians and summarizes their mystery (like you said) in figuring out who Count Olaf really is. But there's how many books in the series? eruheran |
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| Author: | Kiev Shawn [ October 15th, 2010, 7:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
13. They aren't very long, I can read one in about 30 minutes. |
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| Author: | Valia [ October 15th, 2010, 12:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Yeah 13, so that leaves you with 10 more books. But I would still read the first three books. |
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| Author: | BushMaid [ May 16th, 2011, 5:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I read the whole Series of Unfortunate Events, and I can't say I'd recommend them. I loved the movie; it was quite hilarious, and actually ended on a high note. However (it may be just me) I totally did not understand the ending, and I felt (in the books) there were a zillion of loose ends that weren't explained by the end of the series which was disappointing. The movie covers the first three books, and I would recommend watching the movie rather then reading the books. |
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| Author: | Bethany Faith [ May 16th, 2011, 6:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I watched the movie and thought it was a good time killer...but I wasn't in love with it. I haven't read the books, though, I picked up my friends copy and stopped reading by the first page. 
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| Author: | BushMaid [ May 16th, 2011, 6:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
The movie was a lot better then the books, in my opinion. And a lot funnier. Not my favourite though, like you said Bethy, a good time killer.
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| Author: | BushMaid [ May 16th, 2011, 6:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Granted, it's a clever story. I just wished for more answers. 
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| Author: | BushMaid [ May 16th, 2011, 7:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
*wails* I know!! I was practically jumping up and down wanting to find out what the deal was with the sugar bowl!! |
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| Author: | Andrew Amnon Mimetes [ May 17th, 2011, 7:16 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I've never read the books but I have seen the movie - t'was OK, I suppose. I just liked the fact the villain had to relive all of his punishments. eru |
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| Author: | BushMaid [ May 17th, 2011, 4:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
That was hilarious. 
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| Author: | Lady Elanor [ May 18th, 2011, 2:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Ooh, I read all these books when I was younger and I loved them, they are so funny! My sister and I watched the film but it wasn't as good as the books in my opinion. |
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| Author: | The Bard [ May 25th, 2011, 3:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I absolutely loved this series. Lemony Snicket is the best narrator since Mark Twain. The movie wasn't very like the books and the only thing that saved it mildly was Jim Cary and the art direction. |
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| Author: | Emilyn [ March 14th, 2012, 3:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I like the movie but I like the books just a little better. In the second book it was funny that the author has a cliffhanger at the end of a chapter and at the beginning of the next apologizes for not getting to what happens because he had gone to a funeral and he goes into detail. I skipped over most of the narrator's distraction though(hehehee). I've read up to book eleven and then took a break from the series. I'll probably get back to reading them soon. |
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| Author: | Jay Lakewood [ March 14th, 2012, 4:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I really enjoy this series, especially the last 4 books. The mysterious VFD drives me insane sometimes.... It's sad that they aren't going to make all of the books into movies...
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| Author: | Varon [ March 14th, 2012, 6:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Yes, the VFD. They puzzle me. |
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| Author: | Cadenza [ March 16th, 2012, 2:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I haven't actually read them all, but I have skipped around in them. Everything I have read by Lemony Snicket makes me laugh maniacly. I adore the humor, the setting, and the plays on words. I would read them for "real" except that I'm afraid they don't have much value beyond their humor and exitement.  I don't believe my parents would look to fondly on my reading 13 books without that...Plus, it would probably influence my writing so much that my books would turn out like some kind of Lemony Snicket fan-fic. 
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| Author: | The Bard [ March 16th, 2012, 2:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
The books are quite complex and thought provoking (As well as being quite dark.) I think there is much meaning in the series though it really doesn't take off till the fifth book. Only warning though is that they are very, very miserable really, and do NOT expect a happy ending. There is none. Also the author is an atheist so if you do not want to read a book by a non christian that is something to consider and also explains to me somewhat of why his books have so many unfortunate events and he can't give the answer because of his believe in nothing. |
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| Author: | Varon [ March 16th, 2012, 3:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I think I'll have to reread them this summer. |
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| Author: | The Bard [ March 16th, 2012, 3:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I was thinking about doing that to if I get the time. I read them when I was quite younger and they could use an older reread. |
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| Author: | Varon [ March 16th, 2012, 3:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I was thinking the same thing. |
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| Author: | Jay Lakewood [ March 16th, 2012, 6:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
@Varon - I never knew the author was an atheist.
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| Author: | The Bard [ March 16th, 2012, 8:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Jay R. Lakewood wrote: @Varon - I never knew the author was an atheist. I will assume you meant me (since I said that) and answer you. I read in several places saying he was a "secular humanist" or " "atheist" The only source I found ready to hand is this paragraph from the Wikipedia article about him. Quote: Although Handler has a partially Jewish background and considers C. S. Lewis to be an influence, he describes himself as a secular humanist.[6] In addition, he says, "I'm not a believer in predetermined fates, being rewarded for one's efforts. I'm not a believer in karma. The reason why I try to be a good person is because I think it's the right thing to do. If I commit fewer bad acts there will be fewer bad acts, maybe other people will join in committing fewer bad acts, and in time there will be fewer and fewer of them" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Handler |
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| Author: | Cadenza [ March 17th, 2012, 3:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Yehoshua Mimetes wrote: The books are quite complex and thought provoking (As well as being quite dark.) I think there is much meaning in the series though it really doesn't take off till the fifth book. Only warning though is that they are very, very miserable really, and do NOT expect a happy ending. There is none. Also the author is an atheist so if you do not want to read a book by a non christian that is something to consider and also explains to me somewhat of why his books have so many unfortunate events and he can't give the answer because of his believe in nothing. Oh, the unhappy endings are one of the things that amuses me. I was disappointed by the upbeat ending in the movie. That constant focus on the miserables-ness of the books (don't bother reading them, really ) entertained me to no end.
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| Author: | Lady Elanor [ March 18th, 2012, 5:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Phylis Patschske wrote: Yehoshua Mimetes wrote: The books are quite complex and thought provoking (As well as being quite dark.) I think there is much meaning in the series though it really doesn't take off till the fifth book. Only warning though is that they are very, very miserable really, and do NOT expect a happy ending. There is none. Also the author is an atheist so if you do not want to read a book by a non christian that is something to consider and also explains to me somewhat of why his books have so many unfortunate events and he can't give the answer because of his believe in nothing. Oh, the unhappy endings are one of the things that amuses me. I was disappointed by the upbeat ending in the movie. That constant focus on the miserables-ness of the books (don't bother reading them, really ) entertained me to no end.Hah, I know, me too! Funny how such depressing books can be entertaining.
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| Author: | Xyno Xyaxis [ May 29th, 2013, 1:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
A Series of Unfortunate Events was weird for me. I didn't really enjoy it, but it captivated me all the way through. I think that was what it was trying to accomplish all along. Then again, I was pretty young when I read it so most of the jokes probably flew over my head. |
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| Author: | Cadenza [ May 30th, 2013, 8:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Xyno Xyaxis wrote: A Series of Unfortunate Events was weird for me. I didn't really enjoy it, but it captivated me all the way through. I think that was what it was trying to accomplish all along. Then again, I was pretty young when I read it so most of the jokes probably flew over my head. They are full of jokes! I've read a couple more of the books, and I don't like them as much as I did. Things drag sometimes, always knowing that things will turn out poorly no matter what... still, though, they're pretty funny. |
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| Author: | Aragorn [ May 30th, 2013, 11:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Valia wrote: Has anyone read this series by Lemony Snicket? I read the first book, and found it dull and dreary, so I didn't read further. |
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| Author: | BushMaid [ May 31st, 2013, 12:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Jonathan Garner wrote: Valia wrote: Has anyone read this series by Lemony Snicket? I read the first book, and found it dull and dreary, so I didn't read further. Very wise of you. I found it dull and dreary too, but read the rest of them. There's so many hours of my life I'm not getting back...
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| Author: | The Bard [ May 31st, 2013, 7:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I loved the series. Its so dreadfully sad while being utterly hilarious at the same time. Reading them now that I'm older, I actually find them even funnier because I get a lot more of the hidden references to literature. |
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| Author: | Cadenza [ June 1st, 2013, 12:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Yehoshua Mimetes wrote: I loved the series. Its so dreadfully sad while being utterly hilarious at the same time. Reading them now that I'm older, I actually find them even funnier because I get a lot more of the hidden references to literature. Like Isidora (and?) Duncan. |
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| Author: | The Bard [ June 1st, 2013, 9:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
After the dancer who died? Yeah that's one of them. |
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| Author: | sheesania [ August 7th, 2014, 9:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
My sister and I love this series. (We haven't seen the movie, though.) Particularly the audiobook versions - the reader, Tim Curry, did a phenomenal job. These books somehow manage to be both incredibly in-your-face (all the obvious foreshadowing, for instance) and incredibly subtle, with all the hidden jokes and the layers of humor and satire...the brilliance sort of sneaks up on you. I thought the first few books weren't that great...they were entertaining, at least, and funny, but around book 6 things started to get better, and then book 9 we actually had, like, a round character, and then...seriously...The Penultimate Peril was brilliant. In some ways it was disappointing that a lot of stuff was left unexplained, but I think it fits perfectly with the feeling of the books. That's one of the best parts of this series, I think - the atmosphere. The author did a great job evoking an atmosphere of slight irreality, of a bit of wrongness, of something not being quite right...But they still have flaws; I would have liked to see some more developed characters, for instance! So yeah, these books are layered. You can enjoy them just as hilariously depressing stories, or you can start writing philosophical essays about them like I did. Anyways I need to get my thoughts in order, write a review of this series and put it on my blog.  The Bard wrote: The books are quite complex and thought provoking (As well as being quite dark.) I think there is much meaning in the series though it really doesn't take off till the fifth book. Only warning though is that they are very, very miserable really, and do NOT expect a happy ending. There is none. Also the author is an atheist so if you do not want to read a book by a non christian that is something to consider and also explains to me somewhat of why his books have so many unfortunate events and he can't give the answer because of his believe in nothing. Ditto on the complexity and meaning. And yes, by the end things get quite atheistic, relativistic, existentialist...but honestly I thought these books did a great job of demonstrating the hopelessness inherent in that kind of worldview. There is no God, and there is no absolute truth, and there is no absolute morality, and so there are no solid answers about anything. You just have to drift around hoping that you're doing something decent and that you're not misunderstanding something. For me, I like reading depressing non-Christian books because I like seeing how bleak the world would be without a loving God. The Bard wrote: Lemony Snicket is the best narrator since Mark Twain. Yes. Lemony Snicket rocks. A word which here means I wish I could rip off his style. Has anybody read any of the All the Wrong Questions series, which is about Lemony Snicket as a 12-year-old and thus set in the same universe? My sister and I listened to the first book, and we'll get around to the second. I thought it was quite fun and quite clever, too, by the end. And the few references to ASoUE were awesome. Please, please, can Dewey Denouement have a cameo...?
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| Author: | Lady Elanor [ August 7th, 2014, 4:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Goodness it's ages since I read these books. I love your thoughts on them, Sheesania. sheesania wrote: Has anybody read any of the All the Wrong Questions series, which is about Lemony Snicket as a 12-year-old and thus set in the same universe? My sister and I listened to the first book, and we'll get around to the second. I thought it was quite fun and quite clever, too, by the end. I haven't ever heard of that! I will have to look out for it.
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| Author: | The Bard [ August 9th, 2014, 1:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Good thoughts Sheesania. I have read the first All the wrong questions but not the second yet. |
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| Author: | sheesania [ August 9th, 2014, 10:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
Thanks guys I've been totally overanalyzing this series since I like it and because it's pretty easy to analyze - by the end all the symbolism is kind of in your face. The only problem with All the Wrong Questions is that it implies the Great Unknown (the question mark thingy in book 11 and 13) is the Bombinating Beast, which looks pretty bad for the Quagmires, Fiona & co. Fortunately, this is the kind of author that drops hints both ways, and then you can believe whatever you want. Cadenza wrote: Yehoshua Mimetes wrote: I loved the series. Its so dreadfully sad while being utterly hilarious at the same time. Reading them now that I'm older, I actually find them even funnier because I get a lot more of the hidden references to literature. Like Isidora (and?) Duncan. I caught that reference, but I never really got what the point was...What do the Quagmires have to do with Isadora Duncan? Was he just name-dropping or is there something else going on that somebody could alert me to?
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| Author: | The Bard [ August 10th, 2014, 8:36 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I think it has to do with the fact that Isadora Duncan died a unusual and unfortunate death. |
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| Author: | sheesania [ August 10th, 2014, 9:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A Series of Unfortunate Events |
I see. |
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