The Horrendous Heap (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-12) [Hardcover]

Lemony Snicket (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-12

Experience Snicket in the worst way possible: from the very beginning. Here are twelve books contained in four boxes in one terrible shipment -- complete with four unfortunate gifts.

The first twelve books in Snicket's disturbing serial are slipcased in four handsome boxes that will take readers from the very bad beginning of this upsetting story right through to the calamitous conclusion of the second-to-last book. The Horrendous Heap also contains four gifts, more upsetting than an itchy sweater in an unflattering color, including:

• A full-color print of one of Brett Helquist's most worrying illustrations, suitable for framing or burying in the backyard.
• A door-hanger, designed to keep unfortunate events out of any room with a door.
• A full page of black-and-white stickers, fit for sticking wherever unfortunate events arise.
• An iron-on, which can render any piece of clothing a part of the uniform of a secret organization.

Please be warned. This offering is a great deal of misfortune. Lemony Snicket advises against the reading, framing, hanging, sticking, or wearing of unfortunate events. In fact, you might be better off ordering a less horrendous heap, if you prefer that sort of thing.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 3248 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Children's Books; 1st edition (October 18, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061119830
• ISBN-13: 978-0061119835
• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 7.7 x 5.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,618,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Noteworthy Diversion in This World of Potter Fans, November 24, 2005

By 

C. Peebles "chedcat" (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Horrendous Heap (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-12) (Hardcover)

I purcahsed books 1-10 last Christmas from Amazon (books eleven and twelve not yet released). It took me two days ot get through these. I was hooked from the very first page of The Bad Beginning until the last word of The Carnivorous Carnival, speculating about what would happen next. I am still re-reading these books (along with a later purchase, the Grim Grotto).

The Baudelaire's world does not agree with your typical childhood story; perhaps this is why it's such a success. There are no rosy endings or cute, fluffy creatures. Sunny, Violet, and Klaus have it bad off right from the start when they are informed their parents have perished in a tragic house fire. The series covers the children's journey to find out more about their parents and why they died in elaborate detail. The books kept me thinking and on the lookout for new clues. I felt like I was right beside the characters, helping them through impossible challenges and conquering the evil Count Olaf. For those parents who regard Lemony Snicket books as too tragic or gory for young eyes, I say that the books' main focus is a tale of adventure rather than individual, unfortunate mishaps. Readers (both young and old alike) will share the Baudelaire's victories as they advance through the twists and turns of this puzzle masterpeice. This series is a must for intellectuals and adventure seekers of all ages.

Enjoy Snicket's works of creativity, suspense, team work, and intellect!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Flawless--a word which here means "best as it can be", December 20, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Horrendous Heap (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-12) (Hardcover)

After reading the first volume in this horrifying (a word which here means "wonderful!") tragedy, I immediatly went to the store and bought this horrendous heap--and gobbled (a word which here means "read without stopping") the whole series. Although, my dear friends, the sad news is...the final book in this ghastly series isn't out yet...and I am in great suspense (a word which here means "cannot wait for the next book") But there are two typed of readers. The ones who gobble (see the first sentance) it down, and the ones who read it, and crawl into a dark corner and into feedle position. Which type you are I do not know, but I am one who gobbles it down. Cheers, Snicket!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars UNFORTUNATE Events..., June 22, 2006

By 

Just me "Mom of 4" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Horrendous Heap (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-12) (Hardcover)

(After reading negative reviews:)
These books are dark and disturbing... It's stated on the back covers, in the opening lines, in the collection title... *That's the point!* These aren't Disney-esque fairy tales, these books are for kids (of all ages) who will appreciate a change from the typical fru-fru, sunshine-and-rainbows happy endings. Parents should know what their children are reading or listening to or watching *before* they are exposed to [whatever], whether it's books, music, movies/TV, etc.; and if your kids are overly sensitive then Don't Let Them Read These Books.

That being said, IMO these books are *great*! Yes, dark and disturbing - but on a level easily handled by most young readers. "Bad" things happen, *horrible* things *almost* happen but our 3 heros always survive (to be shuttled along to the next unfortunate situation). The occasional adult dies, but it's always something that happened elsewhere with no gory descriptive, the character is just not there anymore (along the lines of, "We're sorry, children, you were going to go live with your wonderful Aunt Poppins but we've been told there was an accident so now you'll be going to go live with your Uncle Grinch.").

These books have the same feel as scary stories told around a campfire. They're simple enough for young readers to understand but interesting enough for adults. They're actually fairly short by "adult book" standards (large font, wide margins) so would be a quick read for an adult who wants to look them over before allowing the child(ren) to read them.