Customer Reviews

The Wide Window (Series of Unfortunate Events)

5 star:		(122)
4 star:		(85)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

If you enjoy the dark humor of Edward Gorey, this series will probably enchant. The characters are intelligent and sympathetic. However, while the books may be a tad bit dark for some younger readers, portions of this series are too simplistic for more mature readers. Snickett often writes in definitions for "big" words used. When the definitions stay in context, they're amusing and maintain the atmosphere. When the definitions are more dictionary like, they distract. The Series of Unfortunate Events, nonetheless, is a great series that children of all ages can enjoy. If anything, kids will sympathize with the Baudelaires frustration with the adults around them. For a turn on the lighter side - I recommend Gail Levine's "Princess Tales" series.

As far as "darkness" or "inappropriateness" for youngsters goes, I tried reading *The Bad Beginning* to my 7-year-old a while ago and he begged off after one chapter, saying that it made him feel too sad; but the other day he took it off the shelf and -- on his own -- is now half-way through "Book the Second" of this series, *The Reptile Room.* I'm happy to report that he has a real treat in store when he turns to this volume of the Baudelaire orphan's adventures, for it is easily the best of the lot. Longer than either of its predecessors, it is also more relaxed and assured -- not that the pace is slack (far from it), it's simply that Snicket is more at home with his bag of tricks and is beginning to manipulate his deliberately limited, muted palette with a master's verve. Fearful, grammar-haunted Aunt Josephine is a wonderful, painfully funny addition to the improbable constellation of distant "family" through which it is the Baudelaire's sad fate to pass, and her second most notable quirk bears an interesting relationship to Snicket's own frequent definitions of "big words." This last feature seems to bother a lot of people, but I think these folks are trying to bully something which is primarily an *aesthetic* device of great flexibility into an overly-rigid pedagogical frame. These books aren't nasty things which are -- like certain exilirs --nevertheless good for you, they're wonderfully entertaining works of verbal art, and if one had to troll their depths for messages, one would find, cumulatively, that these have more to do with self-reliance and competence than with any of the hideous treatment the Baudelaire's endure or the corpses that are left in their wake.

I will agree with the comparison to Edward Gorey, this is definitly a great series for fans of his dark hilarious work. I work in a book store and this series has lately been our latest addiction. Sad & dismel yes, but the clever wrting by Mr Snicket keeps the reader from despair. Wonderful quick reads for the "adults" who grew up with a black sense of humor.

After having read Daniel Handler's books, I learned from some casual web surfing about his pseudonym Lemony Snicket. Having read just The Wide Window, I would say that I now want to read the rest of the Lemony Snicket books. As an adult, I found this book charming and humorous. The Baudelaire orphans are amusing, particularly little Sunny of the super-sharp teeth. This book was not a long complicated read like Harry Potter books, but it was full of great humor and some suspense. I think that this type of book would delight most children who enjoyed books with a sly sense of humor. As well there is an education value as this book uses some "vocabulary words" that kids might not know, but then immediately defines these words. After reading this one, I now want to go out and get the whole series so far.

Hooray for the Series of Unfortunate Events! This is definitely one of my favorite series (if not my favorite). I love the funny ways the author words his sentences, makes fun of adults, and breaks almost every rule in the "Good Writing Tips" section of my grammar book. In this third book, the three unfortunate orphans are visiting their Aunt Josephine, who is afraid of everything, especially realtors. But, of course, evil Count Olaf (Boo! Hiss!) catches up with them, and Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire have to thwart his next plan to get their fortune. But the main question is, will Aunt Josephine survive the ordeal? Or will she discover the same fate as Uncle Monty in the previous book?

I didn't think this book was as good as the first two, but I still love it, think it's great, and give it five stars. Hopefully, you will too, and if you do, some other books similar to "The Wide Window" are "Matilda" by Roald Dahl, "The Twin in the Tavern" by Barbara Brooks Wallace, and "Half Magic" by Edward Eager.

This is the most tragic book I have read in Lemony Snicket's hilarious A Series Of Unfortunate Events books. The third book, The Wide Window, is probably the most miserable tale of all for the three Baudelaire orphans, and misfortunate just can't stay away from them. When Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are sent to stay with kind old Aunt Josephine in a most unusual house overlooking a hill towering over the watery depths of Lake Lachrymose, home of the venomous Lachrymose Leeches. They don't want to ever encounter their greedy uncle Count Olaf ever again, who has tried to steal their fortune and will never stop until he has it. Just when things look more then unpleasant, their Aunt Josephine mysteriously vanishes into the lake, and the Baudelaires know their poor aunt is a victime of suicide. But the conspiracy that lurks this time for them will be more then sneaky, and now the Baudelaires will have to dodge the greedy hands of a sinister villain once again. This is perhaps the most miserable story in the hilarious series that keeps getting more and more miserable. The author knows perfectly how to make a hysterical but dreadful tale, with a chain of events that will be sure to entertain.

Another funny witty action adventure for the Baudelaire orphans. This was our favorite of the first 3 in the series. Snicket writes so well, and the books are a pleasure to read aloud. Not a 5-star because the plots are pretty far-fetched, farcical. (Not for kids under 8!)

"The Wide Window" is in my view the most sad and tragic of all the books in Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" centered on the life of the orphans Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. In book the third the Baudelairs are taken by their lawyer Mr.Poe to live with Aunt Josephine at her house on the top of the mountain at Lake Lachrymose, home of the venomous Lachrymose Leeches. Aunt Josephine is scared of everything and expects diaster to always be around the corner. She thinks she will get burned by using the stove so the Baudelairs have to settle with the most awful cold cucumber soup they have ever tasted. Plus Aunt Josephine loves nothing more than grammar and constantly corrects the orphans mistakes. However Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are thankful that Count Olaf hasn't appeared in the quiet Lake Lachrymose yet. Their luck doesn't last long. It seems this time Count Olaf disguises himself as Captain Sham a sea captain!!! He totally fools Aunt Josephine but not the Baudelairs! Mysteriously Aunt Josephine seems to have commited suicide after a phone call to Captain Sham and has left the children under his care! Can the Baudelair orphans foil his evil plans once again?

I found this book to be very sad even though it was still hilirous. Lemony Snicket truly works his magic in these books. I can't wait to read his autobiography!

The Wide Window is one of my favorite books in the Series of Unfortuate Events. In this book, the Baudelaires - Violet, 14, Klaus, 12, and Sunny (still an infant) go to Lake Lachrymose (right next to Damocles Dock) and live with their Aunt Josephine. She's scared of just about everything in her house (including the telephone!!) Although Aunt Josephine is scared of just about every thing, (including the lake which her house is about to fall into due to the fact that it is on the edge of a cliff) she loves grammar! Klaus becomes excited because Aunt Josephine has a huge library but he finds out that the only books she has are about grammar. Aunt Josephine practically starves them to death because the only thing she feeds them is cold cucumber soup. But before things get settled, Count Olaf is back and this time he is Captain Sham who is in charge of Captain Sham's Sailboats. After a while, Hurricane Herman comes to Lake Lachrymose. When the Baudelaires hear a crash, they run to the library and see a broken window. They suspect that Aunt Josephine has commited suicide. She does leave them a note that says that they will be adopted by Captain Sham! They can't believe it!!! Then Klaus realizes that there is something wrong with the letter and that is when is gets good! I won't say anymore - I might spoil the rest for you. Happy Reading!

After my teacher read the first book of the series to my class, I really wanted to continue to read the series on my own. After going to the Miami Book Fair and hearing the author speak I went out and bought all his books. The Wide Window is easily the best yet! It has twists, turns, realistic characters, and an enthralling plot. The book stars the three Baudelaire orphans as they go and live with their Aunt Josephine. Count Olaf immediatley comes into to town disguised as a capatain of a ship but doesn't trick the kids. Wait... I won't give the rest away! Read this book. It is a genuinely fabulous book that any reader will love. It was soooo good. Pick it up NOW!