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Monday, March 6, 2017

Series Review: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 1999-2006
Pages: 3,436
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 4 Stars


Dear Reader, 
I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.
In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.
It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket

Never has such a miserable tale of the depressing disasters that follow the lives of three unfortunate orphans been so charmingly absurd and enjoyable to read. Though the books are intended for an MG audience, the satirical humour spouted by narrator Lemony Snicket and more mature themes of moral complexity in the later books can be appreciated by an older audience. The books are incredibly formulaic and repetitive (essentially the orphans are passed off to a new guardian each book, Count Olaf shows up in a new disguise and attempts to steal the Baudelaire fortune, and the orphans use their smarts and talents to get away from him), but the repetitiveness had a more familial and calming effect on me rather than boring me.

I read the series in its entirety via audiobook, narrated by inimitable Tim Curry (except for books 3-5 which are narrated by Lemony Snicket himself). And I can't think of two people more suited to the narration of the gothic tones combined with the general absurdity of the stories presented in A Series of Unfortunate Events. If you're looking to try out the series for yourself or want to do a reread but don't feel like you have the time to fit all 13 books into your reading lineup, I would highly recommend checking out the series on audio.

Finally, let's talk about the Netflix TV Show. I can't speak about the movie adaptation starring Jim Carrey that was released in 2004 as I never saw it, but I understand it was not at all well received. However, I have seen the first season of the Netflix adaptation, starring Neil Patrick Harris and covering the first four books, and I am happy to report that it is most excellently done. It took me a few episodes to get into the rhythm of the story and characters, but once it hits its stride the show captures the gothic tone and absurdist themes of the books perfectly and is pretty faithful. Once again, this is proof positive that having the original author of the books (Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler) handle the script of the movie/TV show is the best way of ensuring that the adaptation is a good one.

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13 comments :

  1. I haven't really wanted to read these books (because I really disliked the 2004 film), but you're praise for the audiobooks has me curious. I love a good narration and these stories do sound fun.

    I am glad you enjoyed the TV show, I feel like NPH was well cast as Count Olaf. I have seen snippets of it, but I feel like I need to have read the books first. Maybe I'll move then up on my audio to listen list.

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    1. Oh I do hope you give it a try! My impression is that everyone hated the movie. The books and TV show are good entertainment.

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  2. I'm reading/listening to the last book right now! I could only do them in spurts because the repetitiveness got to me.

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    1. Heh, I can understand that. I was mostly okay with the repetitiveness.

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  3. I read the first few books in this series when I was like 11 or 12 and really enjoyed them. But, because not all of the books were released, I never bothered finishing the series. I'd love to retry it at some point and see if I still like it.

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    1. Ooh, yeah you should give it a go! I would be curious if you still enjoy them.

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  4. I never read these books - I think I was a bit too old by the time they came out, but I DID see the movie. I liked it, but again, I hadn't read the books. I'm so excited about the Netflix show though and I really need to make time to watch it. I'm glad you enjoyed listening to the series - I'd heard they are quite repetitive, but that's nice it was relaxing rather than boring. I'd love to listen to Tim Curry read me a story any day!

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    1. Yeah!! I know audiobooks aren't really your thing, but I'd love to see you give them a try sometime. It might surprise you how much you enjoy it!

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  5. I have only read the first book in this series, but I did really enjoy it, and have always wanted to read the rest. Glad you enjoyed the audiobooks - I can imagine Tim Curry doing a brilliant job! I watched the show on Netflix too, and I am very much hoping that they will adapt the rest of the books, because I think they did a really good job. I agree that having the original author involved always makes for a better programme/film when it comes to adaptations.

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    1. I believe season 2 is already a go! So for books 5-8 presumably. If you liked the first book, then I'm sure you would enjoy the rest so I hope you give them a go!

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  6. Lovely review sweetie :D YAY for enjoying these books so much. <3 So glad you loved them :) I'm so curious about them. And the new netflix show too. But ahhhh. The movie from 2004.. I have seen it so many times. I love it to pieces. I really think you should give it a try :)

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    1. Aww, well I feel I must give it a try now! Thanks Carina :)

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  7. I really enjoyed this series when I was younger, but I'm a little nervous to revisit it with the show. It just seems like it could be so depressing! I've been hearing good things about though, so I'm tempted :)

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