Title: The Miserable Mill
Author: Lemony Snicket
Series: A Series of Unfortunate Events #4
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Series: A Series of Unfortunate Events #4
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Publication Date: April 15, 2000
Genre: Children's Fiction
Length: 194 pages
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed
Dear Reader,
I hope, for your sake, that you have not chosen to read this book because you are in the mood for a pleasant experience. If this is the case, I advise you to put this book down instantaneously, because of all the books describing the unhappy lives of the Baudelaire orphans, The Miserable Mill might be the unhappiest yet. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to Paltryville to work in a lumber mill, and they find disaster and misfortune lurking behind every log.
The pages of this book, I'm sorry to inform you, contain such unpleasantries as a giant pincher machine, a bad casserole, a man with a cloud of smoke where his head should be, a hypnotist, a terrible accident resulting in injury, and coupons.
I have promised to write down the entire history of these three poor children, but you haven't, so if you prefer stories that are more heartwarming, please feel free to make another selection.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket
I hope, for your sake, that you have not chosen to read this book because you are in the mood for a pleasant experience. If this is the case, I advise you to put this book down instantaneously, because of all the books describing the unhappy lives of the Baudelaire orphans, The Miserable Mill might be the unhappiest yet. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to Paltryville to work in a lumber mill, and they find disaster and misfortune lurking behind every log.
The pages of this book, I'm sorry to inform you, contain such unpleasantries as a giant pincher machine, a bad casserole, a man with a cloud of smoke where his head should be, a hypnotist, a terrible accident resulting in injury, and coupons.
I have promised to write down the entire history of these three poor children, but you haven't, so if you prefer stories that are more heartwarming, please feel free to make another selection.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket
My Thoughts:
After yet another encounter with Count Olaf, the Baudelaire orphans are sent to 'Lucky Smells Lumbermill' where they are forced to work with dangerous machinery. Their caretaker, only known as Mr. Sir because his name is too hard to pronounce, is a man who smokes so profusely that you can't even see his face through the clouds of cigar smoke.
This 'faceless' character really builds the mystery and makes you wonder when and if Count Olaf will appear.
Of course, you can be sure he will eventually, but in the meantime, the children are trying to figure out why the foreman has it out for them and why the eye doctor down the street has the same eye on it's building that Count Olaf has on his ankle.
I honestly did not find this one to be as good as the first three books. I kind of understand why the movie adaptation only covered the first three books (from what I remember. It's been a while.)
I didn't enjoy the dilemma and thought it was even more far-fetched than usual. Thank goodness for the orphan's quick wit and ingenuity. They are always getting themselves out of sticky situations.
This 'faceless' character really builds the mystery and makes you wonder when and if Count Olaf will appear.
Of course, you can be sure he will eventually, but in the meantime, the children are trying to figure out why the foreman has it out for them and why the eye doctor down the street has the same eye on it's building that Count Olaf has on his ankle.
I honestly did not find this one to be as good as the first three books. I kind of understand why the movie adaptation only covered the first three books (from what I remember. It's been a while.)
I didn't enjoy the dilemma and thought it was even more far-fetched than usual. Thank goodness for the orphan's quick wit and ingenuity. They are always getting themselves out of sticky situations.
My Rating: 3 stars
Title: The Austere Academy
Author: Lemony Snicket
Series: A Series of Unfortunate Event #5
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: August 31, 2000
Genre: Children's Fiction
Length: 221 pages
Format: Hardcover
Length: 221 pages
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Goodreads | Amazon
Synopsis:
Dear Reader,
If you are looking for a story about cheerful youngsters spending a jolly time at boarding school, look elsewhere. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent and resourceful children, and you might expect that they would do very well at school. Don't. For the Baudelaires, school turns out to be another miserable episode in their unlucky lives.
Truth be told, within the chapters that make up this dreadful story, the children will face snapping crabs, strict punishments, dripping fungus, comprehensive exams, violin recitals, S.O.R.E, and the metric system.
It is my solemn duty to stay up all night researching and writing the history of these three hapless youngsters, but you may be more comfortable getting a good night's sleep. In that case, you should probably choose some other book.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket
My Thoughts:
Synopsis:
Dear Reader,
If you are looking for a story about cheerful youngsters spending a jolly time at boarding school, look elsewhere. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent and resourceful children, and you might expect that they would do very well at school. Don't. For the Baudelaires, school turns out to be another miserable episode in their unlucky lives.
Truth be told, within the chapters that make up this dreadful story, the children will face snapping crabs, strict punishments, dripping fungus, comprehensive exams, violin recitals, S.O.R.E, and the metric system.
It is my solemn duty to stay up all night researching and writing the history of these three hapless youngsters, but you may be more comfortable getting a good night's sleep. In that case, you should probably choose some other book.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket
My Thoughts:
Violet, Klaus, and Sonny, having no where else to go, are placed at a boarding school where they are forced to live in a shack that harbors pinching crabs and some sort of weird fungus instead of in the dorm rooms like the other children. Sonny, being too small to attend classes, is made to work as a secretary for the headmaster. And there are so many rediculous rules that many students end up without eating utensils or cups at lunch. Luckily, the Baudelaires meet the Quagmire triplets (which are actually only two children now) and they finally make friends. But the new coach, whom wears a turban and high-top converse shoes is determined to make their lives miserable.
This was definitely a step up from The Miserable Mill. It had more interaction and it was really nice to see the kids make some friends, even if it is short lived. As usual, the adults are entirely rediculous and out to get the siblings and nothing good at all happens. Of course. But we are left hanging towards the end and now I'm eager to continue this series (perhaps after a short break.)
This was definitely a step up from The Miserable Mill. It had more interaction and it was really nice to see the kids make some friends, even if it is short lived. As usual, the adults are entirely rediculous and out to get the siblings and nothing good at all happens. Of course. But we are left hanging towards the end and now I'm eager to continue this series (perhaps after a short break.)
My Rating: 3 stars
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