“When things don’t go right, go left.”
A Series of Unfortunate Events, written by author Daniel Handler under the pen name Lemony Snicket, is a captivating series of thirteen children’s novels that have gained immense popularity in contemporary literature. Known for its gothic Victorian tones, dark humour, and sarcastic storytelling, this franchise is loved by readers of all ages.
The series features fantastical and outlandish imagery, making it a truly unique reading experience. As you journey through the pages of these books, you’ll explore the themes of childhood to adulthood transition and the ambiguity between good and evil in a metafictional style of writing. Join us at What We Reading as we guide you through the Lemony Snicket books in order across the entire A Series of Unfortunate Events
The Bad Beginning
The first book in the series, The Bad Beginning, introduces readers to the unfortunate tale of three clever and charming Baudelaire siblings. Their lives take a drastic turn when they receive the devastating news of their parents’ tragic demise in a fire while they are at the beach.
Placed in the care of the greedy and selfish Count Olaf, a notorious villain, the siblings endure a series of unfortunate events, including uncomfortable clothing, bland porridge, and a perilous plot to steal their family’s fortune. Despite the challenges they face, The Bad Beginning is a timeless absurdist classic that remains one of the most beloved Lemony Snicket books, captivating readers with its intriguing storyline and unforgettable characters.
The Reptile Room
In the second instalment of the series, titled The Reptile Room, the Baudelaire siblings find themselves under the care of their amiable distant relative, Dr Montgomery Montgomery, affectionately known as “Uncle Monty.” A world-renowned herpetologist, Uncle Monty warmly welcomes the siblings, allowing them to choose their own bedrooms and even planning an exciting trip to Peru.
Enthralled by the exotic and intriguing collection of snakes in Uncle Monty’s Reptile Room, the children’s curiosity is piqued. However, their excitement turns to trepidation when Stephano, Uncle Monty’s new assistant, arrives. “The Reptile Room” is a thrilling and suspenseful tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they join the Baudelaire siblings on their perilous journey, brimming with unexpected twists and turns.
The Wide Window
The next adventure in the series, The Wide Window, takes Violet, Klaus, and Sunny to their aunt Josephine’s home, perched on a hill overlooking the vast Lake Lachrymose. However, they soon discover that Josephine is a fearful and anxious woman who seems to be scared of everything. The lake, known for its ability to conjure up hurricanes, adds to the sense of foreboding. A chance encounter with a mysterious sailor named ‘Captain Sham’ leads to Josephine’s untimely death, or so it seems, as she supposedly jumps out of her Wide Window.
Convinced that Captain Sham is none other than the nefarious Count Olaf, still intent on stealing their family fortune, the determined Baudelaire siblings refuse to believe Josephine’s death was a suicide. They set out on a perilous journey through a raging hurricane to Curdled Cave, determined to uncover the truth about Captain Sham. Along the way, they face numerous challenges and obstacles, but their unwavering bravery and resourcefulness keep them going.
The Miserable Mill
The fourth instalment of Lemony Snicket’s series, The Miserable Mill, finds the Baudelaire orphans sent to live at the foreboding Lucky Smells Lumber Mill. There, they encounter their new guardians, Sir and Charles, who seem to have secrets of their own. Strange occurrences begin to unfold when Klaus accidentally breaks his glasses and falls into a trance-like state, unable to remember his actions during these episodes.
As the story progresses, the Baudelaires encounter a mysterious man with a head engulfed in a cloud of smoke, and they uncover a sinister plot involving hypnosis and perilous machinery. With the stakes higher than ever, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny must navigate the treacherous world of the lumber mill, where danger lurks around every corner.
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The Austere Academy
In the fifth adventure of the Baudelaire siblings, they find themselves whisked off to Prufrock Preparatory School, a boarding school plagued by monstrous employees. Despite being relegated to sleeping in a crab-infested, fungus-dripping shack, their situation takes a dire turn when Count Olaf arrives in disguise as the new gym coach, Coach Genghis. However, a glimmer of hope emerges as they cross paths with the Quagmire triplets, the first kids to be on their side in a long time.
With newfound allies by their side, the question of survival looms large as the children endure nights of strict punishments, dreadful violin concerts, and Olaf’s latest diabolical schemes. But will they be able to outwit the nefarious Count Olaf and his cohorts? As the Baudelaires navigate the challenges of Prufrock Preparatory School, they must rely on their sharp wits, resourcefulness, and the unwavering support of the Quagmire triplets to uncover the truth and untangle the mysteries that lie ahead.
The Ersatz Elevator
In the sixth instalment of the A Series of Unfortunate Events, titled The Ersatz Elevator, the Baudelaire siblings embark on another harrowing adventure. Sent to live with the wealthy Jerome and Esmé Squalor in their penthouse at the top of an apartment complex, the children are faced with a daunting challenge from the very beginning – all the elevators in the building are “out”.
However, their troubles are far from over. Upon reaching the penthouse, the Baudelaires make a shocking discovery – there is no elevator at all, only an empty shaft. Undeterred, the determined siblings set out to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of the elevator. Scaling their way down the dark and eerie shaft, they encounter red herrings, foreshadowing, and other puzzling clues that deepen the intrigue of their unfortunate circumstances.
As the Baudelaires unravel the secrets of the apartment complex and navigate the deceitful schemes of its inhabitants, they uncover a chilling revelation that adds another layer of complexity to their predicament.
The Vile Village
As the Series of Unfortunate Events reaches its midway point, The Vile Village throws the Baudelaire siblings into a new set of challenges. Placed in the communal care of the village V.F.D., as revealed by the Quagmires at the end of The Austere Academy, Klaus, Violet, and Sunny find themselves in a precarious situation. Their attempts to evade Count Olaf and his wicked girlfriend are further complicated by the villagers’ suspicious behaviour and the absence of assigned legal guardians.
This instalment marks a pivotal turning point in the series, as the Baudelaires are no longer under the protection of designated guardians, and Count Olaf no longer needs to resort to outlandish disguises to hide from the authorities. As the siblings navigate the treacherous landscape of the Vile Village, they must rely on their wits and resourcefulness to uncover the truth behind the mysteries that surround them.
The Hostile Hospital
In The Hostile Hospital, the Baudelaire siblings continue their journey after escaping the Village of Fowl Devotees. They find themselves in the company of the Volunteers Fighting Diseases, a group that visits patients in Heimlich Hospital to boost their spirits. This marks a significant development in the series, as it is the first time the siblings are on their own without a designated guardian to rely on. They must now use their own resourcefulness and wit to survive.
The Hostile Hospital stands out as one of the more nuanced entries in the series, as the Baudelaires’ actions blur the lines between right and wrong. They are forced to make difficult decisions in order to protect themselves and uncover the truth, often employing tactics similar to those used by Count Olaf himself. This adds a layer of complexity to the story, as the Baudelaires’ actions become more morally ambiguous, showcasing the darker aspects of their struggle for survival.
The Carnivorous Carnival
In the ninth instalment of A Series of Unfortunate Events, titled The Carnivorous Carnival, the Baudelaire siblings find themselves at Caligari Carnival, having arrived there in Count Olaf’s boot. At the carnival, they encounter the enigmatic Madame Lulu, a purported psychic who claims to predict the future using her crystal ball. As the siblings navigate the carnival’s attractions, including live lion shows and a myriad of performers, they uncover clues about the true relationship between Count Olaf and themselves.
The Carnivorous Carnival is a pivotal book in the series, as it takes the story in a new direction and sheds light on the mystery surrounding Count Olaf and the Baudelaire siblings. With its suspenseful plot and unexpected twists, including a literal cliffhanger ending, this entry in the series keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
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The Slippery Slope
In the tenth instalment of A Series of Unfortunate Events, titled The Slippery Slope, Klaus and Violet Baudelaire embark on a daring mission to rescue their youngest sister, Sunny, from the clutches of Count Olaf and his nefarious entourage. Their journey takes them up the treacherous Mortmain Mountains, where they encounter unexpected allies and face formidable challenges along the way.
One of the pivotal moments in the series, The Slippery Slope sees the Baudelaire siblings making significant strides in unravelling the mysteries of their family and the secretive organization, VFD. They reunite with Quigley Quagmire, whom they had previously believed to be dead and gain crucial insights into the truth behind their parents’ past.
The Grim Grotto
In the eleventh instalment of A Series of Unfortunate Events, titled The Grim Grotto, the Baudelaire siblings, Klaus, Violet, and Sunny, find themselves aboard the Queequeg submarine, captained by Captain Widdershins and his stepdaughter Fiona. Their mission is to locate a mysterious sugar bowl, which is believed to hold important information about the secretive organization VFD.
As the Baudelaires descend into the depths of the underwater world, they encounter a host of perilous challenges. They come face-to-face with mechanical underwater monsters, navigate hidden grottos, and confront deadly mushrooms with sinister properties. Along the way, they unravel clues that bring them closer to the truth about VFD and their parents’ involvement with the organization.
The Penultimate Peril
The Penultimate Peril, the twelfth book in A Series of Unfortunate Events, finds the Baudelaire siblings, Klaus, Violet, and Sunny, arriving at the Hotel Denouement, the fabled meeting place of the enigmatic organization VFD. Disguised as hotel concierges, they navigate the labyrinthine hotel, encountering a multitude of familiar and villainous faces from their past adventures.
As the Baudelaires dig deeper into the secrets of the hotel, they uncover complex callbacks, structures, and hidden agendas. The book showcases the intricacies of Lemony Snicket’s storytelling, with the overarching themes of the series coming to the forefront. The mysteries surrounding VFD, the fate of their parents, and the true intentions of various characters become clearer, adding depth and complexity to the story.
The End
The final instalment of A Series of Unfortunate Events, appropriately titled The End, takes readers on a thrilling and harrowing journey as the Baudelaire siblings, Klaus, Violet, and Sunny, along with their nemesis Count Olaf, find themselves stranded on the mysterious island of Olaf-Land.
As they navigate the perilous island, the Baudelaires encounter its enigmatic leader, Ishmael, who holds secrets about their parents and the truth behind their mysterious past. Deadly fungi sweep across the island, mutiny is brewing, and the siblings must unravel the final pieces of the puzzle that will reveal the secrets of their family’s history.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
