Welcome to Binge-worthy Books, where we review the title for that month's edition of our new Streaming Book Club, a book club around those titles that were later turned into hot new streaming shows or movies. So sit back and relax. We're getting ready to binge another book: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
Join us on our new night, in person or via Zoom on Tuesday, November 22nd @5:30-6:30pm. Be sure to register every month.
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning
by Lemony Snicket
Book Summary
Are you made fainthearted by death? Does fire unnerve you? Is a villain something that might crop up in future nightmares of yours? Are you thrilled by nefarious plots? Is cold porridge upsetting to you? Vicious threats? Hooks? Uncomfortable clothing?
It is likely that your answers will reveal A Series of Unfortunate Events to be ill-suited for your personal use. A librarian, bookseller, or acquaintance should be able to suggest books more appropriate for your fragile temperament. But to the rarest of readers we say, "Proceed, but cautiously."-- Publisher Description
Netflix Series: A Series of Unfortunate Events
Not to be confused with the 2004 Jim Carrey film, Netflix has it's own take on the Lemony Snicket franchise, and not only goes all the way through all of the books, spending two episodes on each, does it exponentially better and more in line with the spirit and feel of the books. That being said, both have their merits and both Neil Patrick Harris and Jim Carrey are incredible actors with the comedic chops to do credit to Count Olaf. The Carrey movie tried to take on a little too much in the format of a film, trying to fit three books into the space of a single one hour and forty minute film, while Harris had the breathing room to give each title its due over the course of what could be considered their own movie (each episode being roughly 45-50 minutes and half a book). It becomes the difference between making sense of a tetrised, slightly helter-skelter, jumble of boxes, crammed in and having everything lain out for you in a neat, sequential manner so you can find everything. The difference between bad things piling on seemingly randomly and as tightly as possible and being able to follow a romping logical mystery.
Discussion Questions
Which one of the Baudelaire children do you most identify with? Violet? Klaus? Or Sunny?
Why are all the adults in this story so darned incompetent? In the end, which adult is the very worst? Is it Count Olaf? Or is Mr. Poe just as bad? Maybe Justice Strauss should have done more to help?
Compare and contrast Count Olaf and Justice Strauss. Why on earth won't Mr. Poe just let the Baudelaires live with that nice lady?
What role does money play in the story? How is the Baudelaires' enormous fortune both a blessing and a curse for them?
What's up with all the creepy eyes in Count Olaf's house? Is he really always watching the Baudelaires?
When the children lose their parents, does their relationship with each other change? How?
Why is this book divided into thirteen chapters? Does Lemony Snicket just love unlucky things?
Discussion Questions to Turn the Tables
If you know stories (or have finished the series), you know there are at least two sides to every story. Now is your chance to look at the other side of the previous questions.
Is there anything about any of the three Baudelaire children that rubbed you the wrong way or outright bothered you?
Adults in A Series of Unfortunate Events:
Which of Count Olaf's associates (or Olaf himself) is your favorite and why? Do you see redeeming qualities in some of them or is there something truly vile that just brings you back for more?
What about the guardians. Do you really think it was their fault or were they in as untenable a position as the children? In what way do we see them fighting for the children? In what way do we see them succeeding?
In what way does lack of fortune control Olaf's life and those around him? Do you think any justification can be found for his behavior?
Count Olaf's sole reason for going after the Baudelaires seems to be his lack of money. Or is it? Is fortune the motivation? Is it something else? What larger world concerns make an appearance in the series?
The motif of the VFW is well documented. Do you think the members of the organization see the symbol in the same light as the children? Why do you think they chose the symbol?
How do you think the children's relationship with their parents was healthy to begin with? Did you think there was anything nefarious with Klaus' first thought being about the library? Or is that simply a form of denial? Are they the loving siblings they show the world?
What makes the number 13 unlucky? Is it inherently any worse than any other? Why can't Snicket use 13 chapters in each of his 13 books?
My Questions Based on the Book, the Series, and Questions Around the Web Not Based on the Above
In any change of medium or format, some stuff is going to be altered. It is unavoidable.
Sometimes characters are added in or removed or entirely reconceived. Were there any major discrepancies between the characters in the book vs series (or vs movie)? In which version were the characters' characters clearest?
Were there some changes that surprised you? For good or bad? Did you have any disagreements with author or director? With an actor or character? Setting or plot device?
We are set up from the beginning to view the Baudelaires one way and Count Olaf the other. Is there a scenario in which the reverse would make sense to take? In the previous question section, I ask you to deliberately take the reverse perspective. Is that a reasonable ask?
Lemony Snicket uses a complex form of point of view, depending on who is being referenced. What are your thoughts on a narrator that is partially involved in a story.
Abuse is a complicated thing to deal with, no matter what age the abuser/abused. A book club site asks why the children don't tell the judge when their abuse rises to a physical level. What are your thoughts on the matter?
What objects or inventions were you surprised to see? Were there incidents (i.e. the man with the hook hand catching the grappling hook) that threw or surprised you?
What were your thoughts on the sleeping arrangements of the children at Count Olaf's?
Why do you think Mr. Poe decided to interpret the parents' will in the way that he did? Did you understand his decision? Do you think it really works that way?
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