The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 2) (Hardcover)

by Lemony Snicket (Author), Brett Helquist (Illustrator), Michael Kupperman (Illustrator) "The stretch of road that leads out of the city, past Hazy Harbor and into the town of Tedia, is perhaps the most unpleasant in..." (more)
Key Phrases: unfortunate events, enormous door, three orphans, Uncle Monty, Count Olaf, Incredibly Deadly Viper (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The Reptile Room begins where Lemony Snicket's The Bad Beginning ends... on the road with the three orphaned Baudelaire children as they are whisked away from the evil Count Olaf to face "an unknown fate with some unknown relative." But who is this Dr. Montgomery, their late father's cousin's wife's brother? "Would Dr. Montgomery be a kind person? they wondered. Would he at least be better than Count Olaf? Could he possibly be worse?" He certainly is not worse, and in fact when the Baudelaire children discover that he makes coconut cream cakes, circles the globe looking for snakes to study, and even plans to take them with him on his scientific expedition to Peru, the kids can't believe their luck. And, if you have read the first book in this Series of Unfortunate Events, you won't believe their luck either. Despite the misadventures that befall these interesting, intelligent, resourceful orphans, you can trust that the engaging narrator will make their story--suspenseful and alarming as it is--a true delight. The Wide Window is next, and more are on their way. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson

From Publishers Weekly
"If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book." So cautions Snicket, the exceedingly well-mannered narrator of these two witty mock-gothic novels featuring the misadventures of 14-year-old Violet, 12-year-old Klaus and infant Sunny Baudelaire. From the first, things look unfortunate indeed for the trio: a fire destroys their home, killing their parents along with it; the executor of their parents' estate, the obtuse Mr. Poe (with a son, Edgar), ignores whatever the children have to say; and their new guardian, Count Olaf, is determined to get his hands on the Baudelaire fortune. But by using their individual gifts (Violet's for inventing, Klaus's for reading and researching and baby Sunny's for biting) the three enterprising children thwart the Count's planAfor now. The author uses formal, Latinate language and intrusive commentary to hilarious effect, even for readers unfamiliar with the literary conventions he parodies. The peril in which he places the Baudelaires may be frightening (Count Olaf actually follows through on his threats of violence on several occasions), but the author paints the satire with such broad strokes that most readers will view it from a safe distance. Luckily for fans, the woes of the Baudelaires are far from over; readers eager for more misfortune can turn to The Reptile Room, for an even more suspenseful tale. Exquisitely detailed drawings of Gothic gargoyles and mischievous eyes echo the contents of this elegantly designed hardcover. Age 9-up. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064407675
• ISBN-13: 978-0064407670
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (325 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #141,247 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 2 in The Series of Unfortunate Events Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Woe woe misery and woe, March 13, 2004

By	E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

And on we move to the second book in the classic Series of Unfortunate Events. If you've stumbled onto the Lemony Snicket series by chance, I wouldn't necessarily command you to read the first book before this, the second. But you'd probably wish to do so yourself. Following the further adventures of the unfortunate Baudelaire orphans, we find our intrepid trio finally living with a relative they've grown to love. Uncle Monty (as he prefers to be called) is a herpetologist of the finest pedigree, and he offers the siblings the first real home they've had in a while. Unfortunately, misery continues to dog them in the form of the evil Count Olaf. Donning one of his many disguises, Olaf does his darndest, yet again, to get his oily hands on the Baudelaire fortune. And so forth.

One of the finest books in the series, no question. And, perhaps, one of the saddest. After all, Uncle Monty is one of the few guardians with whom the orphans feel a real kinship. Snicket does a lovely job displaying their affection for him which simultaneously not making you too too terribly unhappy when that joyful confluence must break apart. Happiness is not in store for the Baudelairs for some time now. We shouldn't be wishing it too soon. Still, Uncle Monty's exit is a real blow to the series in that you really do come to like him before his removal from the book. Just the same, there's plenty to love. I, myself, was quite taken with the movie, "Zombies In the Snow", that the Baudelaires watch with heavy hearts at one point in the proceedings. Hollywood should take note - "Zombies In the Snow" may be the next big storyline to hit!

For happy book involving ponies, locate one of the bazillion pony books out there. For misery, delightful redundancy, and a truly gross villain I direct your attention to Snicket's latest. Tis a wonderful read for the whole gosh-darn family (though he'd be loathe to say so himself).

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A satisfying second round, January 2, 2000

By	"emmc" (Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Continuing in the Goreyesque manner of the first book, The Reptile Room delivers the delightfully miserable story of our three heros. A smart, and sly narrative keeps this one a page-turner, and the author's almost non sequitur mentality raise this book (and series)high above the dull, run of the mill, "kiddie-adventures". As with the first, charming illustrations head the chapters, and the narrators devilish tone helps keep the humor of the situation ever present. I look forward to the third entry in the series. Highly recommended!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It just gets better and better!, September 14, 1999

By A Customer

The Reptile Room is in the same format as The Bad Beginning, which is to say, it's excellent!! I love both of these books and am eagerly awaiting The Wide Window, the 3rd book in this series. Keep up the good work Mr. Snicket!!