Well, just checking the forum, haven't seen much talk about the Lemony Snicket books, A Series Of Unfortunate Events.

I for one think they are terrific...sure they are written for children, but they are incredibly funny, dark and very witty in a literary way. I think this series is still going strong (although i thought book 4 was tired, but other than that, the rest are terrific) and can not wait for the next book coming out at the end of October.

Just wondering if any other DVDtalkers are snicket fans...

MATT

i was dying to make these books into films...i know JUST how to do it...damn you Nickelodeon for ruining my dreams...Scott Rudin, if you're out there...I NEED to direct these films...

Describe the attraction here to me - I came across one of his books the other day, and thought: Never heard of him. Thanks.

My 11-yr-old daughter is a ravenous Snicket fan, and I had to see what the buzz was about. She has all the books, including the terrific Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography, which is very cleverly written (by "Snicket").

Dark, unpleasant and most excellent!

These are childrens books, but they are very dark with a gothic feel. They are also very fast paced, easy to read and witty. The humour is very rich and well put across. These books took me to this world where disaster after disaster befall these poor orphans.

Also, any literary fan can spot clear in jokes and references to Edgar Allen Poe, D.H. Laurence and many others.

The series i'd compare it to is Potter, not that this series involves magic or anything like that, because it doesn't. It just has well drawn characters and has a crossover appeal that makes it great for children as well as adults. And since the books have pretty big print, you could easily sit down for a short time and read book the first, THE BAD BEGINNING, and see if this series is for you... you should know almost immediately.... go to the library and give this series a try!

MATT

well last week the new Snicket book, book the ninth, THE CARNIVOROUS CARNIVAL came out and it is terrific...

Has anyone else discovered A Series Of Unfortunate EVents by Lemony Snicket yet or is DVDTalk a dead end as far as Snicket fans are concerned???

It is quiet here.

MATT

oh and just a note...if you don't know Snicket now, just wait until Christmas 2003 when the Barry Sonnenfeld directed film starring JIM CARREY comes out... then you'll hear about it!

I too am a closet snicket fan...after reading the harry potter series I wasd looking for other books with crossover appeal. I have read the first 3 books in the series and really enjoyed the dark witty humor in these books.

I have read the first 2 to my girls and thety seemed to like them also

So is there really a movie comming out?

I'm an absolute fanatic for the Potter books, and am keenly interested in trying the Snicket books. I didn't know if they were any good b/c no one I know has even heard of them. I'm going to have to read them now based on your recommendations.

Thanx!!!!!

Terrific books, imo.

I'm probably too tired to properly post this, but what the heck....

I've been hearing good things about these books (including this thread) and picked up the first book a couple of days ago and read it over a few hours.

Other than being a quick read with strong characterizations, I can't say I really enjoyed it at all. I am woefully lacking in my classic literature foundations, so perhaps that is why, but I just didn't find these books very funny or interesting. The first one has a young boy being hit in the face by a step father and the boy's older (though still pretty young) sister being leered over by a friend of the step-father; the story, as I recall, had no adult characters of any redeeming qualities (the judge was borderline).

And the constant definitions of "big words" really grated on my nerves after awhile.

I just kept thinking I really wouldn't want to read this to my children, if I had any, that is. As such, I really don't get the comparison to Harry Potter. The HP series has created some really wonderful characters, some good, some bad, and some a wonderful mix of the two. Not complicated stuff at all, but that's why it's a children's book.

Is the first book in this series just really slow or otherwise not representative of the series?

-David

I think the first book isn't the strongest, that's for sure. The characters are cartoony, but the children develop as the story progresses.

I would easily read these books to children. The Baudelaires face one horrific event after another, but have stayed together through it all and (so far) made it out ok... as far as the potter comparison, maybe that was overstated...I just meant as far as the crossover appeal these books seem to have and the interest fans are taking in them.

I agree the definitions can be grating, but in later books, they are often quite hilarious (IMO) and are not real definitions by any stretch. If you disliked the first book, I suppose this series isn't for you, as they do expand characters, history and create a richer world, but it's basically more of the same ... too bad you didn't enjoy it...

MATT

as far as redeeming adult characters, there are a few in the series...but most of them meet their demise....

There sure is a movie coming out... Christmas 2003... It is in pre-production right NOW! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the first 3 books... book 4 is slow, but with book 5, the series really kicks into gear, hopefully you'll enjoy the others as well!

MATT

UPDATE: THE MOVIE HIT SOME BUMPY ROADS AND SWITCHED DIRECTORS. NOW BRAD SIBERLING IS DIRECTING IT AND A CHRISTMAS 2004 DATE IS BEING EYED.

I had to read the 8th book for a class on writing for children, and I didn't want to start in the middle, so I read them all.

The 9th book The Carnivorous Carnival is my favorite so far. I'd suggest reading them in order for anyone who is interested. There are really unique compared to other books that are out there now.

For anyone contemplating beginning this series, Amazon has all 9 books in a set for $59.35, that's 40% off.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...537590/dvdtalk

The TENTH Snicket book hits stores on September 23, it is called THE SLIPPERY SLOPE. I can't wait to see what is in store for the Baudelaire Orphans... more tragedy? A light at the end of the tunnel? Hopefully this one will be great.

MATT

Bring back a thread from the dead but...

I looked gforward to reading these books for quite some time and just got around to reading A Bad Beginning.

While I liked the characterizations and some of the humor (moslty centered around Sunny's chewing habits), I found the book lacking. Esp. the ending, which seemed like a cop-out



Please tell me that the plotting at least improves from this point on.

Well, the plotting does improve (although book 3 and 4 are pretty tough to get through, stick with it, they certainly get better) but Snicket books are full of these kind of "literal" twists or clever "cop outs" from situations...but I usually find them funny and charming!... the series really picks up in books 5-10... .book 11 The Grim Grotto comes out on September 21 (as if that date wasn't already important with Star wars hitting dvd...a new snicket book! I'm thrilled.)

MATT

This series is pure genius, absolutely love it. It may seem like simple kids fare, but there is quite a bit hidden in there for adults as far as figuring out the mystery and what is overall going on. There is a conspiracy hidden, and it's great trying to figure it out. The Unauthorized Biography is amazing as well.

Just finished Book the Second "The Reptile Room."

Much, much better than Book the One. Looks like I'm hooked on another series!

After this series, its on to the Eddie Dickens books!