Lemony Snicket?

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Hi! My 11 year old ds was given the first of the Lemony Snickett’s books for Christmas. How are these books? I thought they were along the lines of Harry Potter but don’t really know anything about them. I understand they are scary and about someone who’s trying to kill some children in order to inherit the children’s money. I suppose the “mean stepmother” in Hansel and Gretel was about that caliber of character. Has anyone read these?

Thanks!

Sharon
 
the first one is poorly written

the others are cute and clever

they will increase you child’s vocabulary…

HOWEVER if your child is very sensitive you should absolutely not let her read the books.
In Harry Potter the dursley’s abuse him but he leaves…in the “Series” the children are constantly chased by villian who wants to kill them.

I am in no position to critize these books as I found lots of the bad behavior normal until a friend pointed out it was wrong.
 
Hi Sharon,
I read the first one a couple of years ago and found it very depressing. There is enough sadness in the world to cause childhood depression, I don’t see why we need to provide more of it through “children’s” stories. At least in most fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel, the story ends happily. In the Lemony Snicket books the cruelty just goes on and on. I would at least read this book first before you allow your daughter to read it. The story can be read in one night.
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momof8:
Hi! My 11 year old ds was given the first of the Lemony Snickett’s books for Christmas. How are these books? I thought they were along the lines of Harry Potter but don’t really know anything about them. I understand they are scary and about someone who’s trying to kill some children in order to inherit the children’s money. I suppose the “mean stepmother” in Hansel and Gretel was about that caliber of character. Has anyone read these?

Thanks!

Sharon
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asked my 4th grade granddaughter for opinion she says they are too depressing for her, why should she waste her time when she has so many other authors she likes better. yeah, a critical reader.
 
My two daughters have read the first 3 in the series and I accompanied them to the movie just yesterday. I found it all quite dark–very clever and imaginative, but a film noir for kids. The group of 4 I was with (all 9-11 years old) nonetheless enjoyed it. There is no hint of the occult, demons and the like that are very present in the Harry Potter books/movies if that is something that distresses you.
 
Thanks to all for the information on the books. I’m glad to know that there is not the occult aspect that is in Harry Potter. I agree, though, that “depressing entertainment” (oxymoron?) is not the best thing for children, and it seems that there is quite a bit of that out there for them.

God bless,
Sharon
 
The first one’s short- read it and see if you think it will be appropriate for her.
They changed the movie up quite a bit, and reversed the order of the first 3 books immensely.

I recently read the 1st book, and I was honestly pretty disgusted by it. The style of writing annoyed me, and I’ve never liked books that talk down to the reader.

I was also very disturbed by the premise of the first book- for the majority of the book, the kids are trying to figure out how to keep the uncle from marrying the the oldest daughter. I found that idea repulsive- they also made all of the adults either loony or evil- there are no good adult figures in it. Just the whole idea a book was written for kids in which an evil uncle is trying to marry his niece…it was quite disturbing.
 
I got the first four for Christmas and I definately would NOT recommend it for children. I knew picking it up that it wasn’t one of those happy ending books, but I’m surprised that it’s written for children. But I did learn a few new words myself;) The bluntness of the villians desire to kill the children, the whole idea of the gaurdian wanting to marry the daughter, was all a little too much for me to see a child reading it. I’m interested to see if they toned it down at all for the movie or not.
 
My children have read all the books and enjoyed them immensely. The books are written very tongue in cheek–we’ve had a lot of good discussions on how improbable the situations in the book are and the patently horrid behavior of many of the characters. I find it no less depressing than many other childrens books, although, being series with no “happy ending” at the end of each, it is more drawn out than usuual.
 
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