A Series of Unfortunate Events

A good way to begin the books with a young children’s book series, A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (the pen name for the real author Daniel Handler).  Not into reading twelve books in a series (I always tell the RAs – your favorite BOOK, no s on the end of that) but I have a feeling I will at least read the last of the books as the first book was pretty compelling. The story begins with three children (Violet, Klaus and Sunny) learning that their parents had been killed in a house fire, potentially an arson, by the executor of their parent’s will, Mr. Poe.  He informs the children that they will be placed in the custody of a distant cousin, Count Olaf.  Olaf mistreats the children and forces them to do chores around the home, even though the children are in no way ready to do the type of work Olaf is requiring.  Olaf brings his acting troupe into the home and expects the kids to feed the group prior to their practice session.  Things get so bad that the children seek the counsel of Mr. Poe, who is pre-occupied with his work to pay attention to the children’s pleas.  He thinks the children are just complaining that they must do some work around the home.   Klaus is able to guess the plot that Olaf plans to craft in order to get the family fortune – marrying his 14-year-old sister!!!  The children try to stop Olaf’s plan… Olaf will marry Violet on stage during a play by using the real marriage wording in the presence of a judge (who will read the nuptials)!  And to the nightmare of the children it all falls into place according to Olaf.  When Olaf announces to the audience the show is over and he has fooled all by really marrying Violet (Mr. Poe was in attendance and totally outraged by what has happened, finally – huh?).  But alas, Violet was coy enough to learn the law on valid marriages, she had signed the license with her left hand, not the hand in which she in fact “legally” writes!  The judge rules Violet is correct and the marriage nullified!  Olaf is to be arrested, until the lights in the theatre go off, and he escapes… hence there will be another 12 books to go!  I clearly understand why the book has the title it does… there are so many unfortunate events that happen throughout.  This is a really well written “mystery” story – great for young adults, even older adults as well!  Good read.