Misery Loves Company: A Review of “A Series of Unfortunate Events”

Misery Loves Company: A Review of “A Series of Unfortunate Events”

If you are reading this post, you are probably considering whether or not you should read A Series of Unfortunate Events. I am here to tell you that you will hear two different answers for your question.

Lemony Snicket: Absolutely not. Unless you just enjoy being completely depressed, soaked in the puddles of your own tears.

Me: Absolutely, yes. I’m not sure what is the matter with the author. But you won’t shed tears… at least not many. Only one who is very dimwitted wouldn’t laugh over these warmhearted children’s books.

Lemony Snicket: Warmhearted! The only thing that is ever warm is the blood spilled by vicious villains! No, do not listen to Keturah. These books of mine are full of miserable accounts concerning the lives of the Baudelaire orphans. Many of which consist of very cold, sleepless, frightening nights.

Me: I’m sorry, dear readers. We will say goodbye to Mr Snicket, as he isn’t in the most positive mood today.

Lemony Snicket: Wh – no! You can’t let this go on any lon-

Me: Goodbye.

There. I do apologize for those unnecessary words of Mr Snicket. Now we can get onto the review of the series, A Series of Unfortunate Events. I’m not sure what you call this genre, but I call it horror comedy. It’s so horrible it’s funny. But not at all stupid.

“Isn’t horror stupid?” you may ask. That’s if you are like me and detest horror…

And I would agree and add, “Yes. But not when it is stupid horror.”

Comedy – a word which here means, “a terribly funny series that you must read” – is mixed perfectly with cleverness, a trait that many stupid adults can’t seem to grasp and apply to their lives.
Go here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1850532840?book_show_action=false to read my review of the series on Goodreads. Be warned that it contains minor spoilers.

Here are 13 reasons why you should read A Series of Unfortunate Events. By the way, I am not secretly endorsing the Netflix series (or book, for that matter) 13 Reasons Why. I just happened to use a phrase that has been long in existence before that show ever became unduly popular. I am not putting that show down – I have never seen it. But I just want to make certain you all understand I was not hinting in secret code (a practice used all too commonly in A Series of Unfortunate Events). I was simply using words in their correct usage according to our English language.

  1. If you enjoy simple stories full of complex situations, this series may be for you. Yes, this is a children’s story – but as with all good children’s stories, it is very appropriate for all audiences.
  1. If you would like to stretch your mind and question your belief that you know a lot, this series           is most certainly for you. Because you will learn something, I guarantee. And if you don’t, you may in fact be a villain incapable of storing key information in your mind.
  1. Do you want to be considered well-read by people that are in fact well-read? Read this series. A little peer pressure never hurt one’s mind – unless the peer pressure was issued by idiots, of course. Remember, well-read persons often read books that are a well of information. Be well-read.
  1. If you want to find out the truth about what happened to the Baudelaire children, remember, the author has made a solemn oath to reveal all the truths he knows.
  1. Mysteries abound aplenty in this series. The word aplenty means “more than needed”, which here means “so many mysteries your mind will not be able to handle the amount, and you may very well die of brain injury before your reading is completed, if your brain is not sturdy”.
  1. Who is Beatrice, the beautiful love of Lemony Snicket? The woman that will be forever dead.
  1.  Superstitions – real or not? That depends on how you look at it… or read it 😉
  1. Are adults all doomed to be inefficient – a word that here means “Completely incapable of keeping three orphans safe and happy from the clutches of their own or others’ greed?” Read to find out.
  1. Do you like to learn new words? Well, I’m afraid that these three children, Klaus particularly, will be able to teach you quite a few words.
  1. Do you often feel depressed? I’ve heard that reading about others’ misfortunes has a way of making your own feel petty. This series shall be perfect for you.
  1. If you like happy endings – this series isn’t for you. Oh, wait. I forgot I must be positive and put the series in a good light, even though the lighting in the series is rarely good. If you like clever clichés, this book is for you.
  1. If you like to have your hope {I mean fear} dashed to pieces, this is perfect for you!
  1. If you would like to know more about Lemony Snicket, but know as I do that his autobiography contains no real information concerning his mysterious person, I am happy to say that he has hidden many details of his own life in these books.

To give an honest review, I should include 13 reasons why you should not read this series. Especially as the author would like me, too. But he and I both know that is very much impossible, as 13 reasons are not nearly enough for all the tragedies that will not limit themselves to such a small number.

But laughter will overrun all your tears, I guarantee.

Read. These. Books.

Lemony Snicket: Be honest.

Me: I am being honest. And I told you your time was over.

Sorry, again. He has a way of always wanting to get in an extra warning, I mean, word in.

These books will be exactly what you need if you are looking to add much knowledge to your sadly empty brain. They will make your glassy eyes laugh. And your stony heart beat {in fear}.

One of the most enjoyable {terrifying} reads of my life!!!!!

Do read! And let me know what you think!!!

Literary & Media Analysis