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The Bad Beginning
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The Bad Beginning Hardcover - 1999

by Lemony Snicket; Brett Helquist (Illustrator)

After the sudden death of their parents, the three Baudelaire children must depend on each other and their wits when it turns out that the distant relative who is appointed their guardian is determined to use any means necessary to get their fortune. Illustrations.


Summary

In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Never before has a tale of three likeable and unfortunate children been quite so enchanting, or quite so uproariously unhappy. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent children. They are charming, and resourceful, and have pleasant facial features. Unfortunately, they are exceptionally unlucky. In the first two books alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, a lumpy bed, a deadly serpent, a large brass reading lamp, a long knife, and a terrible odor.

From the publisher

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Never before has a tale of three likeable and unfortunate children been quite so enchanting, or quite so uproariously unhappy.

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent children. They are charming, and resourceful, and have pleasant facial features. Unfortunately, they are exceptionally unlucky.

In the first two books alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, a lumpy bed, a deadly serpent, a large brass reading lamp, a long knife, and a terrible odor.


Details

  • Title The Bad Beginning
  • Author Lemony Snicket; Brett Helquist (Illustrator)
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition first edition
  • Pages 176
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher HarperCollins, New York
  • Date 1999-08-25
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Illustrated
  • ISBN 9780064407663 / 0064407667
  • Weight 0.53 lbs (0.24 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.25 x 5.17 x 0.82 in (18.42 x 13.13 x 2.08 cm)
  • Ages 09 to 12 years
  • Grade levels 4 - 7
  • Reading level 1010
  • Themes
    • Topical: Death/Dying
  • Library of Congress subjects Brothers and sisters, Humorous stories
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 99014750
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

Citations

  • Best of Book Sense/First 5 Yrs, 04/01/2004, Page 1
  • Booklist, 12/01/1999, Page 707
  • Hornbook Guide to Children, 01/01/2000, Page 88
  • Ingram Advance, 08/01/1999, Page 40
  • Kirkus Review - Children, 07/15/1999, Page 1139
  • Library Journal, 11/01/1999, Page 0
  • Publishers Weekly, 09/06/1999, Page 104
  • USA Today, 12/18/2002, Page 1
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