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lladybird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism and Alcohol
maddy707's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Pedophilia
smacey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I originally read the SoUE books as a kid growing up, back when I fit the population that this series was meant for. I loved them. I am re-reading them now as a 27-year-old, and upon finishing book #1, I am sensing why I may have always liked them so much: these books are essentially the juvenile version of trauma porn (in a good way, to those who also believe that is a thing). I thought that my enjoyment of dark, twisted, trauma-filled stories started in adulthood, but I now think that maybe I've just always been this way. Regardless of the self-reflection this book has brought about for me, this was definitely a different reading experience as an adult vs. child.
I have critiques of this book for sure, but when I take a step back and examine those critiques from the perspective of what audience this book is intended for, they mostly don't hold. My main example is how Justice Strauss and Mr. Poe are insanely inept, to the point of being entirely frustrating and seemingly unrealistic as their obvious incompetence and consistent dismissal of the three main characters goes against the expected character of a high court judge and experienced banker. However, when you view it through the lens of a young person, their inability to listen to the Baudelaire children and the way in which they miss the obvious signs of abuse, neglect, and general cruelty of Count Olaf despite allegedly being intelligent, well-meaning adults can be, and likely is often, extremely relatable as a kid around the age of Klaus or Violet.
Essentially, this book is entirely well-written in the utterly unique Lemony Snicket style which I don't believe could ever be replicated, and although the pace is quicker than I'd like and the plot isn't as complicated as I'd prefer, once again, as a piece of children's fiction, it does exactly what it was meant to - create a relatable but simultaneously far-reaching (but still believable) fictional story focused on characters the same age as its intended audience and told in both a captivating and educational manner. My only standing critique is I would have loved more detail/a slightly longer story (but I also know that happens with each expansion of the series, which I look forward to re-delving into). Despite the maturity I now have a decade since my first read, the story still holds.
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pedophilia, Transphobia, Murder, and Alcohol
stitchbooks22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
chavagrenville's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement, Pedophilia, and Fire/Fire injury
hannahlsmith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Pedophilia
ann_s's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Child abuse
wuthrinheights's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It has been too long since I read this, so I forgot a lot of details, but the one thing I remember (and loved) about Lemony Snicket is how great his voice is. His writing is incredibly unique and unforgettable. It's eloquent, whimsical, humorous, and informative. I love how he would teach idioms or phrases, or explain what certain words would mean in between telling this tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans.
The Bad Beginning was an incredible start to this fantastic series. It is (as per his warnings in every chance he could sneak in) terribly miserable and frustrating. From losing their parents at a young age to getting adopted by this unknown relative who abused them, to having adult friends who were of no help at all, it makes me want to weep for these three beautiful, smart, kind children. I know it's a series of unfortunate events, but my God. It truly is unfortunate.
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
staceyinthesticks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, and Pedophilia