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A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
by Lemony Snicket
Illustrator: Brett Helquist
Publisher: HarperCollins
Ages: 10-up
About These Books
Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are some of the most charming, clever and resourceful children one could hope to meet, but that is not enough. Violet, the eldest, is an inventor, but she has been unable to invent a device that could undo the terrible fire that claimed their parents' lives. Klaus is a very skilled researcher, but nothing he reads can save them from the treachery of the villainous Count Olaf. And even Sunny's four sharp teeth cannot bite through the chain of misfortune that encircles the children as they try to uncover Olaf's evil plans to steal the fortune the Baudelaire parents left behind.
In Book the First, THE BAD BEGINNING, the Baudelaires first encounter Count Olaf and barely escape his horrid attempt to marry Violet and secure the fortune for himself. In Book the Second, THE REPTILE ROOM, the Baudelaires are placed in the care of their Uncle Monty and his collection of reptiles, who accidentally help Olaf in his murderous plan. Aunt Josephine, the children's guardian in Book the Third, THE WIDE WINDOW, fares no better, and whether the children find themselves in a lumber mill (Book the Fourth, THE MISERABLE MILL), a boarding school (Book the Fifth, THE AUSTERE ACADEMY), or in a glamorous penthouse apartment (Book the Sixth, THE ERSATZ ELEVATOR), they seem unable to find a moment's peace from enormous web of deception and despair that hangs over their lives. And so it goes. Perhaps when the Baudelaires solve the mystery that lies behind Olaf's treachery they can find a way to live out their lives in safety - but perhaps not, and why in the world should anyone read about each misfortune the children encounter in the meantime?
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About This Guide
A Series of Unfortunate Events is the term HarperCollins uses to describe the sequence of books written by Lemony Snicket concerning the miserable plight of the three Baudelaire children at the hands of the sinister Count Olaf. It is a New York Times Best-selling series and has sold hundreds of thousands of copies in North America and will soon be appearing all over the world. This guide is a desperate attempt to stop this travesty before it is too late. The discussion topic, suggested reading list and author biography in this reading group guide are intended to guide the public towards books that are less dreadful and so to promote comfort and vitality rather than despair and anxiety in our large and unnerving world.
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Discussion Questions
1. In THE BAD BEGINNING, Mr. Snicket warns his readers, "If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book." Yet many people have insisted on continuing to read this book anyway. What is wrong with such people?
2. The theme of THE REPTILE ROOM might best be stated, "Look out for Count Olaf - he will try to murder you!" Why do you think that so few books deal with this theme?
3. In THE WIDE WINDOW, the character of Aunt Josephine is frightened of many things, and then a very frightening thing happens to her. Is it useful to feel fear, because it prepares you for nasty events, or is it useless, because nasty events will occur whether you are frightened or not?
4. THE MISERABLE MILL brings up many important issues of the day, including child labor in the lumber industry, hypnotism within the medical profession, gum-chewing, cigar-smoking, cross-dressing, and the futility of coupons, bankers, and optimism. How does the treatment of these issues in Snicket's work differ from their treatment in the newspaper, on television and in musical theater?
5. Does anything in your life compare with the anguish of the Baudelaire children in THE AUSTERE ACADEMY? If so, how terrible for you. If not, how nice. Discuss.
6. In THE ERSATZ ELEVATOR, Violet, Klaus and Sunny encounter many things which are not what they seem. Yet The Ersatz Elevator is what it seems - a book containing nothing but despair, discomfort, and woe. Discuss.
7. Violet, the eldest Baudelaire child, often risks her life when using one of her inventions in a desperate attempt to escape Count Olaf's treachery. Is this a proper role model for young women?
8. Klaus, the middle Baudelaire child, often finds out disturbing information when researching Count Olaf's evil ways. Is this a proper role model for young men?
9. Sunny, the youngest Baudelaire child, occasionally uses her four teeth in an aggressive manner, in order to defeat Count Olaf's dreadful behavior. Is this a proper role model for young babies?
10. Each of the books in A Series of Unfortunate Events is dedicated to Beatrice. When HarperCollins asked Mr. Snicket about this mysterious woman, he burst into tears and was unable to answer. Is this an appropriate author for young readers?
11. In each of Mr. Snicket's books, there is no evidence that Count Olaf has ever been captured by the appropriate authorities. Is this more terrifying than horrifying, or more horrifying than terrifying? Discuss.
12. If Count Olaf is still at large, isn't it risky to attract his attention by purchasing and reading any of Mr. Snicket's books? Discuss.
13. Who is standing behind you right now? Discuss.
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