"A Series of Unfortunate Events – The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket

First Name:

Fiona

Age:

14

Book Title:

A Series of Unfortunate Events–The Bad Beginning

Author:

Lemony Snicket

Fiction Genres:

Metafiction,Mystery

Write three (3) sentences which describe the Setting of the book. Be sure use descriptive words.:

This story begins with the children on a beach; although, for the remainder of the book, the setting is an unnamed city. The book is set in an alternate timeline with period similarities to the 1800s, and the 1930s. However, in later books, there are mentions of computers, fiber-optics, etc.

List all of the main characters in the book, and share a little bit of information about each character.:

Violet Baudelaire is the eldest of the three Baudelaire children at age fourteen. She has a talent for inventing and building using the objects around her.

Klaus Baudelaire, who is a little older than twelve, loves to read. He retains information from the various books he’s read, and can apply his knowledge if the situation calls for it.

Sunny Baudelaire is the youngest of the three children, being only a baby. She is very small for her age, but what Sunny lacks in size, she makes up for in teeth. She has four very sharp teeth which she loves to bite things with.

Count Olaf is a distant relative and the legal guardian of the Baudelaire

orphans. He cares more about the fortune the Baudelaire parents left their children than the children themselves and will do anything in his power to get his hands on the money.

Mr. Poe is a banker and was a friend of the Baudelaire parents. He always seems to have a cold, and is rather inefficient when it comes to caring for the Baudelaire orphans. He is in charge of the orphans’ affairs.

Mr. and Mrs. Baudelaire sadly perished in a house fire at the beginning of the book, leaving their children orphaned.

If there was a problem presented in the book, write three (3) sentences about it. Otherwise, write three sentences about your favorite part of the book.:

The main problem of the book is Count Olaf and his greed. He doesn’t really care about the Baudelaire children, more so about the fortune. The Baudelaire fortune is to remain in the bank under the supervision of Mr. Poe until Violet turns 18, something Count Olaf isn’t very happy about. I would go into more details, but I don’t want to spoil the story. You’ll have to read it yourself.

If there was a problem presented in the book, write three (3) sentences about how the problem was solved. If there was not problem, write three sentences about what you would have liked to have seen in the book that the author did not include.:

The thing that makes this story unique from other stories is that the problem is temporarily solved toward the end of the book but, come the next book in the series, the problem resurfaces. This cycle continues in all 13 books in the series. At the very end of the series, the problem is eventually resolved.

How did this book make you feel? Write three (3) sentences describing the feelings you had, when reading the book.:

I felt mixed emotions about this book. One feeling being excitement. Like when the Baudelaire orphans use the things around them to help solve a problem or a puzzle they encounter. Another feeling being despair. Count Olaf is usually responsible for making me feel this way, due to the way he treats the children.

Star Rating:

4

Write three (3) sentences describing why you gave this book this rating.:

I rated this book four stars because although it is a great book, there are some dark elements that may not make it the best choice for younger readers. Also, it can be a bit difficult to comprehend at times. However, the descriptiveness and innovative properties of this book make for a great story if you’re into mystery, fiction, steampunk, or gothic fiction.