A Series of Unfortunate Events

From ''The Lemony Snicket Wiki''

[edit] The Book Series

A Series of Unfortunate Events is the collective volume of all thirteen books following the Baudelaire story, as written by Lemony Snicket. They are often referred to by name by Snicket in various parts of the series. As the title suggests, the story follows many unfortunate events that make up the lives of the Baudelaire children: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny.

[edit] Releases and Packaging

The series carries a unique feel, not only in content, but in packaging.

The original US covers were made to look old fashioned, with Victorian designs throughout. They were originally released in paperback, but those have now become harder to find, with hardcovers becoming the standard for the series.

Several hardcover box sets were released in the US. The first four box sets came with three books each, and were each referred to as "A Box of Unfortunate Events." Books 1-3 were released as The Trouble Begins, books 4-6 were released as The Situation Worsens, books 7-9 were released as The Dilemma Deepens, and books 10-12 were released as The Gloom Looms. Shortly after publication of the last book, The End, the entire series was released in a box set called The Complete Wreck.

Series illustrator Brett Helquist returned to illustrate another release of the series in paperback form, made to mimic the penny dreadful--a common nineteenth century British publication that was usually released in parts, each one costing a penny. Books one, two, and three saw releases in this form, but any future releases have been put on hold indefinitely. The books were also released under secondary names. They are as follows:

The Bad Beginning: Or, Orphans!

The Reptile Room: Or, Murder!

The Wide Window: Or, Disappearance!

[edit] The Commonplace Book

A Series of Unfortunate Events, is also the name for the commonplace book written and maintained by all of those who have washed up on the island that is featured in the book The End. When the Baudelaire orphans find the book, Klaus observes, "I think it's the history of the island, written like a diary" (page 208).

The following is a list of the entries in the commonplace book that are revealed to the reader:

• Yet another figure from the shadowy past has washed ashore--Kit Snicket (see page 667). Convinced others to abandon her, and the Baudelaires, who have already rocked the boat far too much, I fear. Also managed to have Count Olaf locked in a cage. Note to self: Why won't anyone call me Ish?

This entry was written by Ishmael, a past member of V.F.D. who sought to escape the treachery of the world by remaining on the island.

• Inky has learned to lasso sheep, and last night's storm washed up a postcard from Kit Snicket, addressed to Olivia Caliban. Kit, of course, is the sister of...

This is revealed to be written by Beatrice Baudelaire.

• Ishmael's fearmongering has stopped work on the passageway, even though we have a plethora of horseradish in case of any emergency. We're attempting a botanical hybrid through the tuberous canopy, which should bring safefy to fruition despite its dangers to our associates in utero. Of course, in case we are banished, Beatrice is hiding a small amount in a vess--

This message revealed to the Baudelaire siblings that their parents had created a hybrid plant, using the apple tree in the arboretum and horseradishes. They discovered that apples from the tree dilute the Medusoid Mycellium poison, but also that they are lethal to those who are pregnant, harming any children still in the womb. So, despite apples from the tree being present at the time, Kit Snicket died during labor, not being able to dilute the poison.

• As expected, we are to be castaways once more. The others believe that the island should stay far away from the treachery of the world, and so this safe place is too dangerous for us. We will leave by a boat B has built and named after me. I am heartbroken, but I have been heartbroken before, and this might be the best for which I can hope. We cannot truly shelter our children, here or anywhere else, and so it might be best for us and the baby to immerse ourselves in the world. By the way, if it is a girl we will name him Violet, and if it is a boy we will name him Lemony.

This is said by Snicket to be the last entry left in the commonplace book by the Baudelaire Parents, and is featured in the fourteenth chapter of The End. It is assumed that it is a Baudelaire tradition, just like it is a Snicket tradition, to name children after those who are dead. It has been argued, then, that Beatrice believed that Lemony was dead just as he believed that she was dead. If this theory is true, then it can also be debated whether or not a telegram revealed in The Beatrice Letters actually reached Beatrice, since it was addressed to her while she was pregnant with Violet. The "B" initial in this letter refers to Bertrand Baudelaire, Beatrice's husband and the Baudelaire orphans' father.