Jared,
Have you read this series before? I assume Julia has, but this book confounds me. I don’t really know what to think about it.
Title: The Bad Beginning
Series: A Series of Unfortunate Events; Book 1
Author: Lemony Snicket (Pen Name)
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: Orphans, Dark, Disturbing
Synopsis: (Insert mildly condescending synopsis here.)
Recommendation: Not recommended for younger readers. Mature themes include foster parental abuse, child exploitation, physical abuse, child brides, and hopeless reality.
This book is odd. There are certainly some very good aspects, but also some very disturbing ones too. My feelings are mixed, obviously, so bear with me while I sort it all out.
The style of the whole book is remarkable as well. The way it flowed and how it conveyed the story was captivating.
But in the reverse, that dark tone and hopelessness seemed inappropriate for the desired audience. Also, the dialog and characters were very flat. Beyond what was required in the roles there wasn’t much else. The size of the book and the desired audience explains most of that but then is in conflict with the tone. The plot outline is pretty good, but many elements felt too convenient and unsatisfying.
For a more mature reader, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book, but not for the ages it’s geared toward. Morbid curiosity can only go so far before it becomes harmful and I shudder to think how a kid in the foster system would react to this book.
I think my brain can not reconcile the dark, morbid themes with a children’s novel. And for that reason I won’t be reading any more in this series.
Robert
Reading Over The Shoulder 
I also decided not to read on after finishing this book (and after purchasing the entire series, naturally). I usually pick up middle grade for happy feelings lol.
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Buy books is like roulette. Your bound to win some and lose some…..My condolences.
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Haha thank you. Luckily my nephew was happy to take them off my hands. Learned my lesson the hard way.
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I’m glad it worked out. I’m starting to wonder what to do with the books I have but don’t intend to read again.
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Hey Robert,
No, I have never read this series. Julia has of course. My only exposure to Lemony Snicket has been the Jim Carry movie and the Netflix series.
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I know what you mean, but I wonder if a kid would even realize just how dark these books are?
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Some would and some wouldn’t. As a kid, I would have noticed it and might have chosen to continue reading. But I know I would have been affected by it, probably negatively.
For those who wouldn’t be affected are more than welcome to read them.
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And that is why parents need to be involved in their kids and the books they read.
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