I liked it; it was good
Book 11 really shows off the seriousness of the series beneath the humour. Not only are there evil people, but now there are good people doing evil deeds.
Read: Nov 9, 2024
Genre: Absurdist Fiction, Dark Comedy
Audience: Children
Book contains: deadly mushrooms, near death experience
Purchase a copy from Amazon.ca
After losing Quigley to the currents, the Baudelaire orphans are picked up by a submarine, run by Captain Widdershins and his stepdaughter Fiona. Will they finally be safe from Count Olaf under the sea?
The ever-elusive sugar bowl becomes a big thing in this book as the Baudelaires dive under the water in a submarine (inspired by Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and even named after one of his characters: Queequeg). I love the subtle hints and references that Snicket includes in these books!
Snicket is once again our narrator, sharing with us the tales of the Baudelaires based on his “research” into their story. The linguistic and visual gags included in the books are so much fun as he once again splits this adventure into thirteen chapters.
Tori (or V) has streamed the whole series on YouTube, so I just let it play in the background as I was bookbinding. It’s such a relaxing way to get my work done, and she’s an excellent reader, reading with passion and giving each of the characters different voices.
We meet two new characters in this book: the captain of the Queequeg, and his stepdaughter, whom Klaus takes a liking to. These seem to be two people they can trust, on the correct side of the schism of VFD, but is everything as it seems? You can never be sure. I love how trust and loyalty is explored through these characters.
Some new relationships are formed, some are broken, and others are rekindled in this book. Snicket explores with all sorts of connections between the characters, all the while keeping the sibling bond between the Baudelaires as strong as ever.
Snicket is more than just a children’s book author. He is able to write with such depth and include so many fun references from classical fiction, and poetry that I, having read many of these books, can pick up on. I think that’s so important—to be able to enjoy a book as a child, but also as an adult, when you’re more equipped to find the subtle nuances.
Such a long book, this one, but it flies by! The mysteries are only getting deeper, and the stakes get higher. Count Olaf and his troupe—somehow—continue to be a problem for the Baudelaires; he’ll chase them to the ends of the earth, it seems.
Such an excellent series for diving into more depth, both emotional—and literally in this book’s case! Definitely recommend reading either by yourself or with your kids.
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 1: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 2: The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 3: The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 4: The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 5: The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 6: The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 7: The Vile Village by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 8: The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 9: The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 10: The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 11: The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 12: The Penultimate Peril by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 13: The End by Lemony Snicket
The Chronicles of Narnia Book 1: The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis
Alice in Wonderland Book 1: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
*The Wicket by Carlee Coton*
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Tigerpetal Press is a small book press dedicated to publishing local authors and poets.