Customer Reviews

The Miserable Mill - Book 4 of A Series of Unfortunate Events

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We get to be miserable for a fourth time with the Baudelaire orphans, Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny, in "The Miserable Mill." Once again the orphans have moved to another relative, this one the owner of the Lucky Smells Lumbermill in the rundown town of Paltryville. I'm not sure of the relationship of this new person to the children, and we really see very little of this wicked, uncaring person in any case. Furthermore, because he supposedly has a difficult name to pronounce, we never know his name, he is just called "Sir" or "The Boss".

The children toil in the lumber mill from the time they arrive in Paltryville. Soon they have splinters and are tired and hungry, because they get nothing for breakfast, almost nothing for lunch and casserole for dinner. The Boss violates multiple labor and child abuse laws, but perhaps it might make some readers more appreciative of what they have given that many children in the world today face these same conditions.

The children live in a dormitory with the other workers of the lumber mill, wondering when evil Count Olaf might make an appearance. Eventually he does, in a somewhat surprising way. Count Olaf appears relatively late in this book, and from the time he does the book moves and ends very quickly. In addition to Count Olaf, we have two other characters working with him to make things bad for the children.

As has happened in the previous three books, the children are able, principally through their own efforts, to overcome the bad guys. Unfortunately someone does die in a gruesome, though not detailed, way. Once again the children are on their way to another home.

Of the four books thus far, this one was my least favorite. The style of the books is such that bad things happen to these children on a regular basis, but in this book it seems as though bad things are happening to nearly everyone. This book is very depressing. I was also a bit annoyed with the extremes that the author went to in his exaggerations. This time we have baby Sunny using her teeth in a sword fight, and Klaus using chewing gum to move a log, among other things. This book seems to have ventured far into fantasy.

The educational messages in this book are somewhat weaker than in the previous three stories, but there are still some. The author explains some things, but less often than in the first three books. Because of the dark, dreary images, and the death, which is not detailed to any extent, I would consider this book more appropriate for a 9 or 10-year-old. However, as always, you should know your own child and her or his ability to handle the material.

One aspect of these books I have covered in only minimal detail in my previous reviews. The children are incredibly self-reliant. Often the children are the only ones who seem to know what is going on around them, and they often have to solve their own problems. I think the message that children can have an effect and can take responsibility for their lives may be the most positive message in these books. Furthermore, the children typically behave ethically and generally legally when doing so.

There are several editions of this book available with differing prices. You may wish to survey the editions available prior to deciding which edition is best for you.

Because this book was drearier than the previous books, and because of the ever more fantastic elements, I rate this book lower than the previous books. However, while I think this book rates lower, I think it is still in the 4-star range. I'm hoping for some improvement in the next book. See you in the next review!

This is a fantastico book but shirley i dont think so not good shirley but if not 5 points are good for it please people buy this book you will make a profit out of it. Oh and plus i know that in the one of the people are Kit Snicket Guess who when you read it

Once again, the Baudelaire orphans are transplanted in what will turn out to be a "Series of Unfortunate Events." Their newest home is the Lucky Smells Lumbermill dormitory.

Here once again Lemony tells the meaning of many words (usually with words that need the meaning explained.) We are treated to the difference of literally and figurative among other such concepts.

Naturally, they think everyone is Olaf. Moreover, of course they are correct. A mystery has to be solved and to do this Violet must learn Klaus's skills of reading apprehension. Then there are lives to be saved and Klaus must learn Violets' inventive skills. Sunny stays En garde.

The Wide Window: Or, Disappearance! (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 3)

Do you like adventures? Well this is the book for you. Read from the beginning of the book to the end. Count Olaf played all his dirty tricks to steal the Baudelaire fortune. Mr. Poe sends them to Paltryvile where they work at the lumber mill witch is no place for childern.Their new guardian is Sir but he is not very nice to them. So read on and find out if they leave the lumber mill. Recommended for ages nine and up.

Micheal

3 Grader

Created in Canvastic

I thought that "The Miserable Mill" was an excellent book. I've read the books of the series that came before "The Miserable Mill" and thought they were also good. So i know how the story usually ends up with count olaf killing their legal guardian and the beudalaires barely escaping. This book still kept me interested though. Such as when they were traveling through the eire forest and pulled up at Lucky Smells lumbermill. Or when they were by themselves to find the office in which their new legal guardian was in. I foud it surprising that the children were expected to work in the lumbermill. I also thought that phil and charles were very nice to the beudalaires, but that Foreman Flacutono and even their owner were mean to them. I thought it especially mean when Foreman Flacutono tripped klaus and broke his glasses. It was kind of neat how the building resembled an eye that Dr. Orwell worked at and he worked with stuff involving eyes. I found it kind of surprising that Count Olaf would actually be in disguise as a women. The conflict when the beudalaires almost had to live with shirly (count olaf in disguise)was kind of surprising, but the beudalaires got there way out of it by never making any mistakes again. I also thought it was exciting when klaus got hyonotized again and almost sawed charles in the wood cutting machine, but violet snapped him out of the hypnosis just in time. So all in all i found this book to be a great book with many exciting events.

I thought that "The Miserable Mill" was an excellent book. I've read the books of the series that came before "The Miserable Mill" and thought they were also good. So i know how the story usually ends up with count olaf killing their legal guardian and the beudalaires barely escaping. This book still kept me interested though. Such as when they were traveling through the eire forest and pulled up at Lucky Smells lumbermill. Or when they were by themselves to find the office in which their new legal guardian was in. I foud it surprising that the children were expected to work in the lumbermill. I also thought that phil and charles were very nice to the beudalaires, but that Foreman Flacutono and even their owner were mean to them. I thought it especially mean when Foreman Flacutono tripped klaus and broke his glasses. It was kind of neat how the building resembled an eye that Dr. Orwell worked at and he worked with stuff involving eyes. I found it kind of surprising that Count Olaf would actually be in disguise as a women. The conflict when the beudalaires almost had to live with shirly (count olaf in disguise)was kind of surprising, but the beudalaires got there way out of it by never making any mistakes again. I also thought it was exciting when klaus got hyonotized again and almost sawed charles in the wood cutting machine, but violet snapped him out of the hypnosis just in time. So all in all i found this book to be a great book with many exciting events.

The Miserable Mill

I read The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket. The book is about where the three orphans have to go and live on a mill. The name of the mill is Lucky Smells Lumber Mill. When the orphans get there they find a note that tells them where they will be staying. When they go to their room it is a room full of people and a really funny smell. The next morning they have to start their first day of work. They start working and there is this mean old person and he is in charge. They went to meet their new guardian later that day. So the orphans have been there for about three weeks and there is no sign of Olaf.

I really liked this book and it is a really great story. I didn't have to many feelings about it though, the only part was when Count Olaf escaped from them that made me really mad. So that is what I thought of this wonderful story.

The book that I read was called the Miserable Mill by: Lemony Snicket. This book was about the Baudelaire's and how one of their homes was a Mill. Count Olaf was out to get them and they had to escape being hypnotized and trapped. This book contained a giant pincher machine, a bad casserole, a man with a cloud of smoke for a head, a terrible accident resubliming in injury, and coupons. I really enjoyed this book because Lemony Snicket is a great author, he's funny and he makes reading his books fun because of the ridiculous things in it. I suggest this book for anyone who is looking for a good read. I wouldn't recommend it to littler kids, just older kids who can stand blood, because there is blood in the book, but not a lot. The book did have some dull points but it also had a lot of interesting points. One dull point was when they didn't know Count Olaf was there yet and it just explained how they went from their dorms to the lumber mill everyday. A funny part was when I read the part about the man with a head of smoke and when they get paid in coupons with no money. So, I do recommend this book.

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (Widescreen Edition)I was dragged to the theater at Christmas time to see this movie.

So I got one of the newer books in the series.

Here is my impression:

Don't let your child read this rot!

This book is not at all funny: child labor, worker abuse and management cruety are some of the major themes.

It is very unfortunate event that this series is so popular.

The books make all adults appear to be either evil or too dumb to be worth considering.

The author appears to be somewhat deranged or separated ( crazy) from reality

due to some bad relationship with Beatrice or Beverly or somebody like that.

The children characters aren't smart enough to run away when they are abused or in danger

which appears to be most of the time as they are continually stalked by Count Olaf.

He tells us always at the beginning not to read it.

True to his promises he abuses us with his plots.