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A Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket (text only) 1st (First) edition by L. Snicket
Os incontáveis leitores das trágicas "Desventuras em série dos órfãos Baudelaire" estão há tempos fazendo as mesmas e insistentes perguntas - quem é Lemony Snicket? Por que em suas raras fotografias ele está sempre de costas? Por que dedicou a vida ao caso Baudelaire? Por que é tão perseguido? Quem é Beatrice? O que é C.S.C.? Finalmente, esses e outros mistérios que envolvem a existência do elusivo autor são esclarecidos na autobiografia não autorizada de Lemony Snicket. O livro inclui os documentos sobre a vida pregressa de Snicket que sobreviveram a inúmeros incêndios terríveis e inexplicáveis, tais como cartas enigmáticas de próprio punho, dúbias cartas datilografadas, mapas misteriosos, provas suspeitas e evidências estranhas de pérfidos engodos, legendas enganosas de incompreensíveis fotografias, trechos críticos de livros insondáveis, códigos indecifráveis, anagramas escusos e recônditas canções, dossiês obscuros e demais documentos secretos. A obra conta com uma introdução de Daniel Handler - que, para quem não sabe, é nada mais nada menos que Lemony Snicket -, além de ser acompanhada por uma dissimulada sobrecapa reversível, para proteger o leitor contra o risco de ser visto com um volume tão perigoso nas mãos. Em 'Lemony Snicket - autobiografia não autorizada', são por fim esclarecidos os indizíveis mistérios de uma personalidade controversa, até agora envolta em sombras - ou não.
Paperback
First published May 1, 2002
304 people are currently reading
10780 people want to read
About the author
Lemony Snicket
296 books26.3k followersLemony Snicket had an unusual education and a perplexing youth and now endures a despondent adulthood. His previous published works include the thirteen volumes in A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Composer is Dead, and 13 Words. His new series is All The Wrong Questions.
For A Series of Unfortunate Events:
www.lemonysnicket.com
For All The Wrong Questions:
www.lemonysnicketlibrary.com
For A Series of Unfortunate Events:
www.lemonysnicket.com
For All The Wrong Questions:
www.lemonysnicketlibrary.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 926 reviews
February 19, 2022
Started off strong but this is more of a Commonplace Book than an actual narrative. It's interesting seeing all of the letters and telegrams and photographs but the novelty wore off about halfway through without a coherent plot.
September 7, 2018
I first read this when it came out, in the midst of ASOUE - a series which is very, very dear to my heart. But at the time, I didn't really get this book. I thought it was a combination of:
a) Tips of the hat to characters and plotpoints, aka fun easter eggs for fans
b) Hints at answers, that in reality did not provide any answers at all, merely highlighted the mysteries
c) Random unrelated nonsense
I put it aside and was glad to own it in my collection, but never really thought much more of it.
However, going back now and reading it with the hindsight of the entire series in my mind, I realise just how intricate the whole story is, and how well put together this collection is. It is largely a collection of unrelated evidence, but they are actual relevant plot-related backstory more than anything. We learn about the making of Zombies In The Snow; about Esme and Jerome's marriage; about Olaf and Esme; information about how VFD operates. And sure, none of this is vital information to understand the story. But it's wonderful back story for the fans.
But aside from that, I realised: all of the chapter titles that have been 'replaced' by Lemony Snicket - the titles that contain pertinent questions to the series - are indeed answered, or at least strongly implied within the chapters. I've written my interpretations of the answers to the questions at the end (mostly for my own benefit).
So all in all, this book is quite wonderful. It is a collection of excellent easter eggs, as well as clues, and little tidbits and backstory, and actually I think it is worth reading part-way through the series to puzzle over the clues, but well worth reading again afterwards to connect the dots and see how the real answers lined up.
Why was Mr. Snicket's death published in the newspaper? - It was an error on the part of the Daily Punctilio, but most likely deliberate misinformation.
Why has Mr. Snicket dedicated his life to the Baudelaire case? - The letter from the Duchess states "Beatrice, of course, is far past complaining about lost possessions - the very reason, I am certain, that you have dedicated your life to researching the lives of those three poor children." The implication is that Beatrice isn't complaining about lost possessions because she died in the fire; and because Lemony was in love with her, he is dedicated to researching the lives of her children.
Why does Count Olaf have a tattoo of an eye on his ankle? - The transcript reveals that O and E were present at the VFD meeting, implying that Olaf has a tattoo of an eye on his ankle because he was a member of VFD.
Where are the Quagmire triplets now? - The Sebald code in Zombies In The Snow announces that "Hidden in the snowman is the survivor of the fire."
Who is Beatrice? - Lemony writes in his theatrical review that he is engaged to be married to the actress in the original casting of the play, and he also mentions that her replacement, Esme, "cannot whistle Mozart's Fourteenth Symphony, as the play requires." We know from ASOUE that the Baudelaire's mother was able to whistle Mozart's Fourteenth symphony, so... Beatrice is the Baudelaire's mother. However, the article also mentions the Ned H. Rirger theatre - an anagram for Red Herring. Because, of course, nothing is simple.
What is VFD? - This one is a bit more difficult to answer, because there was never a concrete answer given within the series. But it appears to just be an organisation who donned disguises and wanted to do good.
Why is there a secret passageway between the Baudelaire mansion and 667 Dark Avenue? - ... Y'know what? Pass. Obviously the answer can be just attributed to 'they're all members of VFD'. But I think this is the only chapter title that doesn't really have any massively pertinent information within the chapter itself.
Why isn't Mr. Poe as helpful as he ought to be? - From the transcript recorded at the Anxious Clown, he is not a member of VFD. And from his letter to Eleanora Poe, he is far too easily swayed by his sister.
Why is Lemony Snicket on the run? - Simply, because somebody is after him.
How many associates does Count Olaf have? - At least 25, possibly more than 41.
Are the Baudelaire parents really dead? - Yes. Not that any evidence within the chapter conclusively says so.
Is there anything a concerned citizen can do if he or she wants to help the Baudelaires? - Join VFD
Who is Lemony Snicket? - This chapter doesn't contain any relevant information, apart from an ambiguous family tree - which, interestingly, highlights Chas Snicket, who I don't believe we ever hear anything else about.
a) Tips of the hat to characters and plotpoints, aka fun easter eggs for fans
b) Hints at answers, that in reality did not provide any answers at all, merely highlighted the mysteries
c) Random unrelated nonsense
I put it aside and was glad to own it in my collection, but never really thought much more of it.
However, going back now and reading it with the hindsight of the entire series in my mind, I realise just how intricate the whole story is, and how well put together this collection is. It is largely a collection of unrelated evidence, but they are actual relevant plot-related backstory more than anything. We learn about the making of Zombies In The Snow; about Esme and Jerome's marriage; about Olaf and Esme; information about how VFD operates. And sure, none of this is vital information to understand the story. But it's wonderful back story for the fans.
But aside from that, I realised: all of the chapter titles that have been 'replaced' by Lemony Snicket - the titles that contain pertinent questions to the series - are indeed answered, or at least strongly implied within the chapters. I've written my interpretations of the answers to the questions at the end (mostly for my own benefit).
So all in all, this book is quite wonderful. It is a collection of excellent easter eggs, as well as clues, and little tidbits and backstory, and actually I think it is worth reading part-way through the series to puzzle over the clues, but well worth reading again afterwards to connect the dots and see how the real answers lined up.
Why was Mr. Snicket's death published in the newspaper? - It was an error on the part of the Daily Punctilio, but most likely deliberate misinformation.
Why has Mr. Snicket dedicated his life to the Baudelaire case? - The letter from the Duchess states "Beatrice, of course, is far past complaining about lost possessions - the very reason, I am certain, that you have dedicated your life to researching the lives of those three poor children." The implication is that Beatrice isn't complaining about lost possessions because she died in the fire; and because Lemony was in love with her, he is dedicated to researching the lives of her children.
Why does Count Olaf have a tattoo of an eye on his ankle? - The transcript reveals that O and E were present at the VFD meeting, implying that Olaf has a tattoo of an eye on his ankle because he was a member of VFD.
Where are the Quagmire triplets now? - The Sebald code in Zombies In The Snow announces that "Hidden in the snowman is the survivor of the fire."
Who is Beatrice? - Lemony writes in his theatrical review that he is engaged to be married to the actress in the original casting of the play, and he also mentions that her replacement, Esme, "cannot whistle Mozart's Fourteenth Symphony, as the play requires." We know from ASOUE that the Baudelaire's mother was able to whistle Mozart's Fourteenth symphony, so... Beatrice is the Baudelaire's mother. However, the article also mentions the Ned H. Rirger theatre - an anagram for Red Herring. Because, of course, nothing is simple.
What is VFD? - This one is a bit more difficult to answer, because there was never a concrete answer given within the series. But it appears to just be an organisation who donned disguises and wanted to do good.
Why is there a secret passageway between the Baudelaire mansion and 667 Dark Avenue? - ... Y'know what? Pass. Obviously the answer can be just attributed to 'they're all members of VFD'. But I think this is the only chapter title that doesn't really have any massively pertinent information within the chapter itself.
Why isn't Mr. Poe as helpful as he ought to be? - From the transcript recorded at the Anxious Clown, he is not a member of VFD. And from his letter to Eleanora Poe, he is far too easily swayed by his sister.
Why is Lemony Snicket on the run? - Simply, because somebody is after him.
How many associates does Count Olaf have? - At least 25, possibly more than 41.
Are the Baudelaire parents really dead? - Yes. Not that any evidence within the chapter conclusively says so.
Is there anything a concerned citizen can do if he or she wants to help the Baudelaires? - Join VFD
Who is Lemony Snicket? - This chapter doesn't contain any relevant information, apart from an ambiguous family tree - which, interestingly, highlights Chas Snicket, who I don't believe we ever hear anything else about.
February 12, 2008
This book is the zenith of the entire Lemony Snicket collection. It is the piece of the puzzle that makes you sit up and say, "Good heavens, there IS a plot!"
When I read the first few Series of Unfortunate Events books, it was only to familiarize myself with what I was told from all sides was sure to be the next Harry Potter phenomenon. I wasn't terribly impressed with the first two or three volumes -- cute idea, I thought, but nothing that really grabbed me. A couple of years later, I needed something to listen to in the car, so I borrowed some of the SoUE audiobooks from the library. It was then that I began to realize something vital: Beneath all the puns and stilted language and Edward Gorey-dom of the rest of the Series of Unfortunate Events books lies the delightfully sinister tale of Lemony Snicket himself (of which the Unauthorized Biography is the sourcebook), and it is THAT story -- not the sad, sad tale of the Beaudelaire orphans, ad nauseum -- that is at the heart of the whole series.
You must have read at least the first four or five of the SoUE books in order to understand the appeal of the Unauthorized Autobiography, but it's worth looking at even if you haven't read the whole series.
If possible, read the hardback edition. It features a couple of interesting elements that the paperback version lacks.
When I read the first few Series of Unfortunate Events books, it was only to familiarize myself with what I was told from all sides was sure to be the next Harry Potter phenomenon. I wasn't terribly impressed with the first two or three volumes -- cute idea, I thought, but nothing that really grabbed me. A couple of years later, I needed something to listen to in the car, so I borrowed some of the SoUE audiobooks from the library. It was then that I began to realize something vital: Beneath all the puns and stilted language and Edward Gorey-dom of the rest of the Series of Unfortunate Events books lies the delightfully sinister tale of Lemony Snicket himself (of which the Unauthorized Biography is the sourcebook), and it is THAT story -- not the sad, sad tale of the Beaudelaire orphans, ad nauseum -- that is at the heart of the whole series.
You must have read at least the first four or five of the SoUE books in order to understand the appeal of the Unauthorized Autobiography, but it's worth looking at even if you haven't read the whole series.
If possible, read the hardback edition. It features a couple of interesting elements that the paperback version lacks.
March 9, 2017
i just love this world. i wish there were (even) more than 13 a series of unfortunate events books. they made me feel so smart and involved (and entertained!) in my childhood. ugh i love everything about them.
May 25, 2024
In which I start a reread of all Lemony's books (minus ATWQ cause I've read it too recently) in the chronological order rather than in the order they are published). And by chronological order, I mean I am literally reading every single bizarre segment of the Unauthorized Autobiography and The Beatrice Letters in the most chronological order possible, following the Snicket Slueth's brilliant deduction of the order of events:
https://snicketsleuth.tumblr.com/post...
And man, this chronological reading makes so much more sense! I love the Snicket Slueth so much and wish I was as smart as him in figuring this all out. His theories are brilliant and for so well worth the hints and clues Snicket leaves us. If you've read Snicket's books, I recommend checking him out! (Especially his articles on the sugar bowl mystery... those are pure genius.)
(Note: if you have not already read Snicket's books, I recommend reading them in order and staying away from spoiler-heavy blogs such as the Snicket Slueth.)
Man, I love Snicket's books so much! These are seriously not for the faint of heart or the lazy. They're only for readers who are willing to do some detective work and put the pieces together to determine the true story lurking behind the facade.
This book is really the key puzzle piece for unlocking everything, though he doesn't make it easy!
I've read nearly all his books 2-3 times and still have so much to learn. Every time I reread one of his books, I discover some new piece of the bigger picture that I hadn't noticed before. Snicket is an expert at hiding things in plain sight.
https://snicketsleuth.tumblr.com/post...
And man, this chronological reading makes so much more sense! I love the Snicket Slueth so much and wish I was as smart as him in figuring this all out. His theories are brilliant and for so well worth the hints and clues Snicket leaves us. If you've read Snicket's books, I recommend checking him out! (Especially his articles on the sugar bowl mystery... those are pure genius.)
(Note: if you have not already read Snicket's books, I recommend reading them in order and staying away from spoiler-heavy blogs such as the Snicket Slueth.)
Man, I love Snicket's books so much! These are seriously not for the faint of heart or the lazy. They're only for readers who are willing to do some detective work and put the pieces together to determine the true story lurking behind the facade.
This book is really the key puzzle piece for unlocking everything, though he doesn't make it easy!
I've read nearly all his books 2-3 times and still have so much to learn. Every time I reread one of his books, I discover some new piece of the bigger picture that I hadn't noticed before. Snicket is an expert at hiding things in plain sight.
September 8, 2011
I'll use this one for a brief summary of my relationship with ASOUE. I fell in love with these books when I was 11 and kept reading them devotedly as they came out. When I was 13, this book was released, along side Book the 10th. The two of them together jumpstarted my love of the series to a new level. For the first time I joined an online forum and introduced myself to the world of the internet. I started a commonplace notebook, created theories, looked for clues, talked with other rabid fans, and it was fantastic.
The final book in the series was somewhat disappointing, but I still appreciate what it did in a sense. I still wish we could've found out more about the secrets of VFD and that damn sugarbowl but what are ya gonna do?
But I wouldn't be who I am today without these books. This one in particular which drove me to the internet, could be said to have changed my life. I don't know if I'd have later joined CR, played Mafia, found MSPA, or anything if it hadn't been for my experiences with this book. Interesting to think about.
The final book in the series was somewhat disappointing, but I still appreciate what it did in a sense. I still wish we could've found out more about the secrets of VFD and that damn sugarbowl but what are ya gonna do?
But I wouldn't be who I am today without these books. This one in particular which drove me to the internet, could be said to have changed my life. I don't know if I'd have later joined CR, played Mafia, found MSPA, or anything if it hadn't been for my experiences with this book. Interesting to think about.
March 5, 2017
I'm quite unsure of my feelings for this book. I did find some parts highly entertaining but I found other parts incredibly far fetched and had to force myself not to skim through them. I love this series to pieces, it was a huge part of my childhood and will always hold a special place in my heart. That being said, I honestly could have done without reading this one. I don't find it added anything particularly special to an otherwise spectacular series.
August 14, 2008
"This book does not appear to be a forgery, which is not to say that the story is true - only that it is accurate. That this book comes from Mr. Snicket is unquestionable, which is not to say that some do not question it."
A hilarious, confusing, deliberately misleading "autobiography" of author/character Lemony Snicket. Very silly, and has a reversible cover so you can hide what you're reading and disguise it as The Pony Party, a story about the luckiest kids in the world.
This is not a volume of the bestselling series; rather, it is supposedly an autobiography about its author, but somehow also unauthorized. Now I don't see how an autobiography can be unauthorized, unless, of course, it is. Mr. Snicket's story appears to have been written without his permission, with many errors and very little actual information, but he has gone over it and made his own comments.
First off, the major error is the fact that on the back cover and in the book, an obituary for Mr. Snicket appears. This, of course, is improper, since he's not dead. (He says so in the book.) The book is arranged to have each chapter covering an important question. However, Mr. Snicket judged all the questions "improper" and scratched them out, then replaced the questions with even stranger questions. Many photographs are included as evidence that contributes to nothing and in fact the people in most of the photographs are unidentified. Songs, clippings, articles, letters, and other evidence from the Snicket file (some containing secret coded messages) are arranged unhelpfully throughout the book.
The book carries a warning that reading the book is dangerous, because someone might be watching you and think you are associated somehow with the author. So, Mr. Snicket kindly provides a reversible cover for the book! If you take the book's jacket off and put it on the other way, the book looks like a very happy children's book called The Luckiest Kids in the World: The Pony Party! Children about the ages of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are pictured happily riding a pony, and false information is made up for an author and an illustrator to make it look like an entirely authentic yet ridiculously sappy book.
Many disclaimers are placed throughout this book to make it more confusing and less than helpful, and great care is taken to reveal absolutely no information about the Snicket/Baudelaire case. To quote the opening of one chapter: "For various reasons, portions of this chapter have been changed or made up entirely, including this sentence." Even the index is self-referential and makes no attempt to help locate information on any given topic.
This book is hilariously funny. Near the opening, you are treated to such strange sentences as "Today was a very cold and bitter day, as cold and bitter as a cup of hot chocolate, if the cup of hot chocolate had vinegar added to it and were placed in a refrigerator for several hours," or this gem, "The day was as normal as a group of seals with wings riding around on unicycles, assuming that you lived someplace where that was very normal."
I was especially amused, incidentally, by the copyright information, which informs you of all the regular "do not copy" warnings but also insists that you do not eat the book without permission, and it informs you that if there are any pictures or illustrations of you in the book, basically you are probably in danger and very embarrassed, but there isn't a thing you can do about it. Though this is not part of the actual series proper, it is an amusing jaunt through a twisted mind (or set of minds, depending on who's saying so), and is all the more delightfully twisted for not having to stick to a readable plot.
A hilarious, confusing, deliberately misleading "autobiography" of author/character Lemony Snicket. Very silly, and has a reversible cover so you can hide what you're reading and disguise it as The Pony Party, a story about the luckiest kids in the world.
This is not a volume of the bestselling series; rather, it is supposedly an autobiography about its author, but somehow also unauthorized. Now I don't see how an autobiography can be unauthorized, unless, of course, it is. Mr. Snicket's story appears to have been written without his permission, with many errors and very little actual information, but he has gone over it and made his own comments.
First off, the major error is the fact that on the back cover and in the book, an obituary for Mr. Snicket appears. This, of course, is improper, since he's not dead. (He says so in the book.) The book is arranged to have each chapter covering an important question. However, Mr. Snicket judged all the questions "improper" and scratched them out, then replaced the questions with even stranger questions. Many photographs are included as evidence that contributes to nothing and in fact the people in most of the photographs are unidentified. Songs, clippings, articles, letters, and other evidence from the Snicket file (some containing secret coded messages) are arranged unhelpfully throughout the book.
The book carries a warning that reading the book is dangerous, because someone might be watching you and think you are associated somehow with the author. So, Mr. Snicket kindly provides a reversible cover for the book! If you take the book's jacket off and put it on the other way, the book looks like a very happy children's book called The Luckiest Kids in the World: The Pony Party! Children about the ages of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are pictured happily riding a pony, and false information is made up for an author and an illustrator to make it look like an entirely authentic yet ridiculously sappy book.
Many disclaimers are placed throughout this book to make it more confusing and less than helpful, and great care is taken to reveal absolutely no information about the Snicket/Baudelaire case. To quote the opening of one chapter: "For various reasons, portions of this chapter have been changed or made up entirely, including this sentence." Even the index is self-referential and makes no attempt to help locate information on any given topic.
This book is hilariously funny. Near the opening, you are treated to such strange sentences as "Today was a very cold and bitter day, as cold and bitter as a cup of hot chocolate, if the cup of hot chocolate had vinegar added to it and were placed in a refrigerator for several hours," or this gem, "The day was as normal as a group of seals with wings riding around on unicycles, assuming that you lived someplace where that was very normal."
I was especially amused, incidentally, by the copyright information, which informs you of all the regular "do not copy" warnings but also insists that you do not eat the book without permission, and it informs you that if there are any pictures or illustrations of you in the book, basically you are probably in danger and very embarrassed, but there isn't a thing you can do about it. Though this is not part of the actual series proper, it is an amusing jaunt through a twisted mind (or set of minds, depending on who's saying so), and is all the more delightfully twisted for not having to stick to a readable plot.
October 5, 2020
Completely pointless.
October 13, 2012
Just a side note, I'm a big obsessed fan of the series. I've read each of the 13 books at least thrice over the past 6 years. I absolutely freaked out yesterday when I saw this book at Fullybooked Katipunan and I immediately bought it. Right now I'm halfway through reading Stardust but I absolutely could not help but pause with Stardust and just start reading this book this already. And since it's quite a light book to read, I finished it in roughly 2 hours or so.
Anywho.
Oh, how I've missed everything ASOUF-related. It was an absolute nostalgic feeling as I went through every page. I've missed Jacques Snicket, Mr. Poe, Uncle Monty and it was great just seeing their names again. I even missed Lemony Snicket's vocabulary lessons.
I do wish the book answered even one of the 3167 (just a made-up number, if it's not obvious HAHA) questions I originally had about certain things in the series. The book was just as mysterious as each of the 13 books of the series were, and even though it added more questions to my original 3167 unanswered ones, I enjoyed flipping through one page to another.
The book did mention a few events that went behind-the-scenes (not included in the actual series) that really interested me. Such as the thing about Esme's marriage to Jerome Squalor. Or the whole Mr-Poe-telegram thing. The book added more spice to the actual series by revealing certain events that happened behind-the-scenes, yet after reading about them, you will still find yourself not having an answer to the big question of WHY? Oh well. :)
I miss the Baudelaires and the Quagmires most, I still wish I can read more about them, to find out what happened to them next or how they are now. But even thought this book didn't fulfill that longing, it was still worth reading, especially for a huge Lemony Snicket ASOUF fan.
And I LOVE how the book was constructed. It was very creative, like the actual series itself-- all the torn pages, telegrams, photographs-- just pure art.
Anywho.
Oh, how I've missed everything ASOUF-related. It was an absolute nostalgic feeling as I went through every page. I've missed Jacques Snicket, Mr. Poe, Uncle Monty and it was great just seeing their names again. I even missed Lemony Snicket's vocabulary lessons.
I do wish the book answered even one of the 3167 (just a made-up number, if it's not obvious HAHA) questions I originally had about certain things in the series. The book was just as mysterious as each of the 13 books of the series were, and even though it added more questions to my original 3167 unanswered ones, I enjoyed flipping through one page to another.
The book did mention a few events that went behind-the-scenes (not included in the actual series) that really interested me. Such as the thing about Esme's marriage to Jerome Squalor. Or the whole Mr-Poe-telegram thing. The book added more spice to the actual series by revealing certain events that happened behind-the-scenes, yet after reading about them, you will still find yourself not having an answer to the big question of WHY? Oh well. :)
I miss the Baudelaires and the Quagmires most, I still wish I can read more about them, to find out what happened to them next or how they are now. But even thought this book didn't fulfill that longing, it was still worth reading, especially for a huge Lemony Snicket ASOUF fan.
And I LOVE how the book was constructed. It was very creative, like the actual series itself-- all the torn pages, telegrams, photographs-- just pure art.
July 5, 2009
Okay, this book acknowledged most (but not all) of my questions, then systematically didn't answer them. Seriously. It was a bit interesting - a collection of fake articles, journal entries, letters, etc. - but had little relevance to the issues about which I was hoping to learn more. Also, at times, the writing crossed the line from "humorously silly" to "annoying and somewhat difficult to read." The entire book seemed to really lack a point, and certainly didn't even pretend to have a plot. But I have to say, the most frustrating thing was the way the chapters were titled with relevant questions (ex. "Why is Lemony Snicket recording the story of the Baudelaires?") which were then crossed out, supposedly by Snicket, and replaced with questions about which I really didn't care. Had it taken me more than a couple of lazy hours to read, I would have skipped this book.
January 11, 2022
Re-Read: January 2022
I highly, highly recommend this to fans of the series. Although it can be confusing, this answers a lot of things about the series and was really interesting. In particular, it provides a lot of detail on what was going on with other characters during the series who weren't actively involved in the Baudelaire story, such as Mr. Poe post-7th book.
Re-Read: July 2016
I re-read this book after having re-read all 13 ASOUE books, and it makes so much more sense! I understand way more of the references in this book, and it's a heck of a lot less confusing! Even though this book was published before the end of the series, I'd recommend reading this book after you've finished the 13th book, while the series is fresh in your mind. You get a surprising amount of answers in this book, you just have to look very, very carefully.
Original Review:
I think I left this book with more questions than answers. Each chapter answered a few of my questions, but it raised 50 more.
The beginning is super confusing. For the first 30 pages or so I was completely lost and even considered putting down the book. However, once you get passed that, you start putting things together and going "ah ha! I've figured something out!" While you never get a straight answer, there are clues here and there that you can piece together if you try hard enough. Something may seem meaningless in one chapter, but 20 pages later it will be the missing piece in the puzzle, and suddenly everything will make sense.
Lemony Snicket books are usually quite sad (after all, they revolve around some VERY unfortunate events), and this book is no exception. There are some parts where I just wanted to cry for Lemony Snicket. His life is just so depressing! His life (and VFD) is so well-crafted that sometimes I forget that it's fiction. It all just seems so real! I feel like I know him so much better after reading this book. The author obviously put a lot of thought and care while creating the ASOUE universe, and it really shows.
Really, my only complaint is that it was hard to read the notes Lemony Snicket "penned-in". The font was very messy. Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who has read (and enjoyed) A Series of Unfortunate Events.
I highly, highly recommend this to fans of the series. Although it can be confusing, this answers a lot of things about the series and was really interesting. In particular, it provides a lot of detail on what was going on with other characters during the series who weren't actively involved in the Baudelaire story, such as Mr. Poe post-7th book.
Re-Read: July 2016
I re-read this book after having re-read all 13 ASOUE books, and it makes so much more sense! I understand way more of the references in this book, and it's a heck of a lot less confusing! Even though this book was published before the end of the series, I'd recommend reading this book after you've finished the 13th book, while the series is fresh in your mind. You get a surprising amount of answers in this book, you just have to look very, very carefully.
Original Review:
I think I left this book with more questions than answers. Each chapter answered a few of my questions, but it raised 50 more.
The beginning is super confusing. For the first 30 pages or so I was completely lost and even considered putting down the book. However, once you get passed that, you start putting things together and going "ah ha! I've figured something out!" While you never get a straight answer, there are clues here and there that you can piece together if you try hard enough. Something may seem meaningless in one chapter, but 20 pages later it will be the missing piece in the puzzle, and suddenly everything will make sense.
Lemony Snicket books are usually quite sad (after all, they revolve around some VERY unfortunate events), and this book is no exception. There are some parts where I just wanted to cry for Lemony Snicket. His life is just so depressing! His life (and VFD) is so well-crafted that sometimes I forget that it's fiction. It all just seems so real! I feel like I know him so much better after reading this book. The author obviously put a lot of thought and care while creating the ASOUE universe, and it really shows.
Really, my only complaint is that it was hard to read the notes Lemony Snicket "penned-in". The font was very messy. Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who has read (and enjoyed) A Series of Unfortunate Events.
February 9, 2017
"The world is quiet here."
*shivers*
Lemony Snicket, you strange and peculiar man, have you no consideration for my nerves? When I opened the book and read it was going to deal with the most juicy topics from the Series of Unfortunate events I was so thrilled but also... I didn't quite believe it: were we actually going to find out who Beatrice is and what VFD actually stands for? And the sugar bowl... Gaahh that thing has been haunting my dreams ever since I read about it!! But no, "these are simply not the proper questions" and, to keep the Baudelaire's file as protected and possible, Lemony decides to deal with other issues: his supposed affiliation to VFD, how the organization supposedly works, where it supposedly resides, who supposedly works for it and who supposedly betrayed it in the first place.
"This book does not appear to be a forgery, which is not to say that the story is true - only that it is accurate."
At the end of this book you're not left with much. Sure, you're left with loads of pictures and case files but the context is quite blurry and, well, context-less. And that's why this book is so fascinating, it makes you feel like you're the one trying to uncover a mystery, thing made even more exciting by the cameos of characters you already know from the Series or from little details that finally have a reason to be a thing (such as how does broke Count Olaf manage to afford so many disguises for his mischieves?).
When it comes to the rating my heart says 4 but my reading experience says 3, although having been a wild ride it was still a confusing read. No hard feelings there Lemony, when I'll re-read the Series I'll come back to this little gem and will judge again!
*shivers*
Lemony Snicket, you strange and peculiar man, have you no consideration for my nerves? When I opened the book and read it was going to deal with the most juicy topics from the Series of Unfortunate events I was so thrilled but also... I didn't quite believe it: were we actually going to find out who Beatrice is and what VFD actually stands for? And the sugar bowl... Gaahh that thing has been haunting my dreams ever since I read about it!! But no, "these are simply not the proper questions" and, to keep the Baudelaire's file as protected and possible, Lemony decides to deal with other issues: his supposed affiliation to VFD, how the organization supposedly works, where it supposedly resides, who supposedly works for it and who supposedly betrayed it in the first place.
"This book does not appear to be a forgery, which is not to say that the story is true - only that it is accurate."
At the end of this book you're not left with much. Sure, you're left with loads of pictures and case files but the context is quite blurry and, well, context-less. And that's why this book is so fascinating, it makes you feel like you're the one trying to uncover a mystery, thing made even more exciting by the cameos of characters you already know from the Series or from little details that finally have a reason to be a thing (such as how does broke Count Olaf manage to afford so many disguises for his mischieves?).
When it comes to the rating my heart says 4 but my reading experience says 3, although having been a wild ride it was still a confusing read. No hard feelings there Lemony, when I'll re-read the Series I'll come back to this little gem and will judge again!
January 16, 2011
I suppose I can't blame him.
Throughout his books, Lemony Snicket tries to persuade his readers to give up on The Series of Unfortunate Events, but I just didn't listen. They were too witty and amusing, so I read through the entire series only to find that when Snicket warned that there would not be a happy ending, what he really meant was that there wouldn't be a satisfying ending that answered the mysteries from the rest of the series.
So. Frustrating.
And then I discovered this book, whose title page promises to answer most of those burning questions. Finally!
...except it doesn't. The tantalizing chapter titles are crossed out and replaced by questions that barely matter. The chapters are filled with various photographs and clippings and documents; they're occasionally entertaining or helpful, but only occasionally. They point out some interesting links and details, but nothing that really resolves the big mysteries further, at least not without raising further questions. I actually started thinking that the real answers might be hidden in Sebald Code, but I didn't know where to start underlining every eleventh word and then I realized that that would be ridiculous and only make me angrier.
And the word games and narrator banter aren't even as humorous as what's in the actual series, with the exception of a few pieces of genius, like the reversible book jacket about a pony party.
It's upsetting because I adored this series, but I really think I'm going to have to write my own ending to read to my hypothetical children so that they won't have to go through the same bitter disappointment.
So, yes, I guess I am blaming you, Lemony Snicket. Even fictional authors who have mystery and misdirection as their main shtick should eventually GIVE LOYAL READERS SOME ANSWERS ALREADY!
Sigh.
Throughout his books, Lemony Snicket tries to persuade his readers to give up on The Series of Unfortunate Events, but I just didn't listen. They were too witty and amusing, so I read through the entire series only to find that when Snicket warned that there would not be a happy ending, what he really meant was that there wouldn't be a satisfying ending that answered the mysteries from the rest of the series.
So. Frustrating.
And then I discovered this book, whose title page promises to answer most of those burning questions. Finally!
...except it doesn't. The tantalizing chapter titles are crossed out and replaced by questions that barely matter. The chapters are filled with various photographs and clippings and documents; they're occasionally entertaining or helpful, but only occasionally. They point out some interesting links and details, but nothing that really resolves the big mysteries further, at least not without raising further questions. I actually started thinking that the real answers might be hidden in Sebald Code, but I didn't know where to start underlining every eleventh word and then I realized that that would be ridiculous and only make me angrier.
And the word games and narrator banter aren't even as humorous as what's in the actual series, with the exception of a few pieces of genius, like the reversible book jacket about a pony party.
It's upsetting because I adored this series, but I really think I'm going to have to write my own ending to read to my hypothetical children so that they won't have to go through the same bitter disappointment.
So, yes, I guess I am blaming you, Lemony Snicket. Even fictional authors who have mystery and misdirection as their main shtick should eventually GIVE LOYAL READERS SOME ANSWERS ALREADY!
Sigh.
June 9, 2010
This is one of the most oddball books ever written. It is primarily designed to confuse and confound...it's like House of Leaves crossed with Pale Fire and Monty Python. I found this book before I had even heard of the 'Unfortunate Events' series, so you can imagine how confused *I* was. It's not much in the way of literature, but it is fascinating as our long-suffering "author" gives scant details about his journeys, some enigmatic information--AND PHOTOS!-- of his history.Along with a fake cover, curiously written corrections and addenda, maps, coded messages, transcripts of secret meetings. "Unfortunate Events" readers may be disappointed in this...but people who like a cerebral giggle or two with their reading might enjoy.
If there is some moral or lesson to be learned from this puzzle of a book...identity can be changed, but at what cost?
If there is some moral or lesson to be learned from this puzzle of a book...identity can be changed, but at what cost?
December 11, 2014
If I could give this book zero out of five, I would.
I thought that all my questions would be answered when I read this book. There was lots of mystery surrounding practically everything - from V.F.D. to the author himself. But when I read the book, instead of getting answers, I left with even more questions.
To me, the book was just a bunch of random papers stuffed together and bonded. For example, pages 140 and 141 had telegrams. When you flipped the page, a photograph appeared, captioned "Will I ever see her again?" I had been expecting the telegrams to be explained, but all I got was a picture that was completely irrelevant.
I was very disappointed in Lemony Snicket because books 1-10 in "A Series of Unfortunate Events" were pretty good. However, everything went downhill from there. I was not happy with books 11 and 12, as mentioned in my reviews. I thought that it would all become self-explanatory when I read Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography, but sadly, it was not.
Furthermore, I was not happy that this book did not feature the Baudelaire orphans. Snicket's series revolved around the unlucky events of the Baudelaire lives. Even though I had questions that were not about the Baudelaire, I would have liked for them to play a bigger role. I understand that this is Snicket's autobiography, but only a fraction of the book actually had to do with Snicket. Not much was revealed about him, but again, nothing much was revealed at all. I had to learn everything from surfing the web.
All in all, I thought this was a bad book that was all over the place, disorganized, and irrelevant.
I thought that all my questions would be answered when I read this book. There was lots of mystery surrounding practically everything - from V.F.D. to the author himself. But when I read the book, instead of getting answers, I left with even more questions.
To me, the book was just a bunch of random papers stuffed together and bonded. For example, pages 140 and 141 had telegrams. When you flipped the page, a photograph appeared, captioned "Will I ever see her again?" I had been expecting the telegrams to be explained, but all I got was a picture that was completely irrelevant.
I was very disappointed in Lemony Snicket because books 1-10 in "A Series of Unfortunate Events" were pretty good. However, everything went downhill from there. I was not happy with books 11 and 12, as mentioned in my reviews. I thought that it would all become self-explanatory when I read Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography, but sadly, it was not.
Furthermore, I was not happy that this book did not feature the Baudelaire orphans. Snicket's series revolved around the unlucky events of the Baudelaire lives. Even though I had questions that were not about the Baudelaire, I would have liked for them to play a bigger role. I understand that this is Snicket's autobiography, but only a fraction of the book actually had to do with Snicket. Not much was revealed about him, but again, nothing much was revealed at all. I had to learn everything from surfing the web.
All in all, I thought this was a bad book that was all over the place, disorganized, and irrelevant.
March 16, 2010
Summary:
This book is about the unknown life of a very mysterious and well kept man who need to keep secrets.
Passage: P.15 and 16
My aunt, who is either a woman named Julie Blattberg or a woman whose name I am pretending is Julie Blattberg, gave me a small key that unlocked a box that contained a key which in turn unlocked a box that contained a key which in turn unlocked another box that contained the information that makes up this book, and made me swear never to let it reach the public, even in the enormous, imposing living room of some abstruse-a word which here means "cryptic"-private club, among trusted associates enjoying after-dinner brandy... That reminds me, the letter continued, I would like a brandy myself. Please excuse me for a moment.
Response:
When i first read this passage, it really made me go back and read it again just to make sure i wasn't re-reading anything! I really like this part when he is trying to give hints but is still making everything more confusing. When he tries to explain what the word abstruse is, he explains it with a harder word. He also goes and gets himself a brandy before he finishes this chapter which also kind of made me laugh.
This book is about the unknown life of a very mysterious and well kept man who need to keep secrets.
Passage: P.15 and 16
My aunt, who is either a woman named Julie Blattberg or a woman whose name I am pretending is Julie Blattberg, gave me a small key that unlocked a box that contained a key which in turn unlocked a box that contained a key which in turn unlocked another box that contained the information that makes up this book, and made me swear never to let it reach the public, even in the enormous, imposing living room of some abstruse-a word which here means "cryptic"-private club, among trusted associates enjoying after-dinner brandy... That reminds me, the letter continued, I would like a brandy myself. Please excuse me for a moment.
Response:
When i first read this passage, it really made me go back and read it again just to make sure i wasn't re-reading anything! I really like this part when he is trying to give hints but is still making everything more confusing. When he tries to explain what the word abstruse is, he explains it with a harder word. He also goes and gets himself a brandy before he finishes this chapter which also kind of made me laugh.
August 10, 2011
I love this book. As a fan of ASOUE for over ten years now, it was a pleasure to revisit The Unauthorised Autobiography and find it just as maddeningly coded, light on real information and full of inanities as I remembered. I can appreciate why it wouldn't suit readers in search of actual answers, but given the lack-thereof in the series as a whole, TUA is a perfect accompaniment. It delves just far enough into the shrouded world of VFD to tantalise, without destroying the mysterious premise of the series by laying anything out plainly. For those that occasionally tire of the routine structure of the Baudelaire tales and wish to spend some time with the older generation, this is a must-read.
May 18, 2023
Actual rating: 3.5
I was absolutely delighted by this addition as a fan of the series. That said if you aren't a fan of the series or at least understand its appeal—its nonsensical nature being a part of it—you will find yourself frustrated with the lack of new information in this one...or at least you won't recognize it when you see it.
I was absolutely delighted by this addition as a fan of the series. That said if you aren't a fan of the series or at least understand its appeal—its nonsensical nature being a part of it—you will find yourself frustrated with the lack of new information in this one...or at least you won't recognize it when you see it.
August 21, 2021
Generalnie bardziej zawód niż zachwyt:( Książki nie mogę ocenić niżej, bo sam fakt że jest to TEN autor od TEJ mojej ulubionej serii, nie pozwala mi tego zrobić, ale ogólnie rzecz biorąc - książka trochę nijaka. Liczyłam na faktyczne poszerzenie wiedzy zawartej w SNZ, coś na kształt dodatku do tej serii, a dostałam informacje, które nic nie wniosły, nic nie poszerzyły. Na pewno wydana jest w sposób bardzo interesujący, mnóstwo zdjęć, fotografii, opisów, akt, listów, własnych dopisków, ale po skończeniu w mojej głowie narodziło się pytanie: jak to się ma do całości? Bo niestety oprócz punktowych nawiązań do SNZ, nie było tu nic, co by mnie poruszyło. Jest mi trochę szkoda, aczkolwiek doceniam fakt, że ten jeden, ostatni raz mogłam poznać coś tego autora, coś w nawiązaniu do moich ukochanych książek. Traktuję to jako miły powrót do tego, co już znałam. Mimo wszystko chętnie podeszłam do tej autobiografii i przypomniałam czasy odkrywania przeze mnie kolejnych tomów o sierotach Baudelaire
August 21, 2025
The more I read, the more I want the tattoo 💔💔💔
November 18, 2021
Did anyone else notice this in the index?
V.F.D -- see "secret organizations"
secret organizations -- see "conspiracies"
conspiracies -- see "overall feeling of doom"
overall feeling of doom -- see "doom, overall feeling of"
doom, overall feeling of -- ix-211
The book is 211 pages long not including the index.
Gotta love Lemony Snicket.
V.F.D -- see "secret organizations"
secret organizations -- see "conspiracies"
conspiracies -- see "overall feeling of doom"
overall feeling of doom -- see "doom, overall feeling of"
doom, overall feeling of -- ix-211
The book is 211 pages long not including the index.
Gotta love Lemony Snicket.
December 26, 2022
I could fix him (lemony snicket)
January 31, 2025
This book was weird. A type of weird that a much younger child me would have enjoyed and cackled about, but one that adult me was confused by. The series was much better than this, yet it explains a bit of the things in the series as well. It wasn't a worthless read, but rather close.
September 6, 2025
The introduction for this had me cracking up. Amazing.
But, while the rest was interesting, it was mostly supplementary material for the original A Series of Unfortunate Events. I think I will keep this on hand for when I re-read that series as it doesn't really stand alone as it's own story in any way. A nice flashback to a well-loved series though :)
But, while the rest was interesting, it was mostly supplementary material for the original A Series of Unfortunate Events. I think I will keep this on hand for when I re-read that series as it doesn't really stand alone as it's own story in any way. A nice flashback to a well-loved series though :)
January 6, 2024
I discovered the Series of Unfortunate Events years ago when I purchased them to read to/with my son when he was but a wee lad.
Now a grad student, he turned the tables and gave me this “sequel of sorts.” I have to admit, I had very fond memories of the original books, with their zany humor and ubiquitous play on words.
It is, then, an unfortunate event that this one just didn’t quite live up to the rather high standard set by its predecessors. It’s amusing if you’re a fan of the series, but I would never recommend it as a stand alone book. Sentiment and some laugh aloud moments made for a three star rating. If you have kids in elementary school, by all means, read the original series with them. You’re forgiven if you skip this one.
Now a grad student, he turned the tables and gave me this “sequel of sorts.” I have to admit, I had very fond memories of the original books, with their zany humor and ubiquitous play on words.
It is, then, an unfortunate event that this one just didn’t quite live up to the rather high standard set by its predecessors. It’s amusing if you’re a fan of the series, but I would never recommend it as a stand alone book. Sentiment and some laugh aloud moments made for a three star rating. If you have kids in elementary school, by all means, read the original series with them. You’re forgiven if you skip this one.
June 16, 2015
This is a very interesting book. I'm a little amazed that the author (one Daniel Handler) is so able to construct a really odd and mysterious and bizarre world that still somehow works. He'll mention something on one page that seems completely random, and then two chapters later is able to tie it all in somehow! This book has a lot of nicely delivered tidbits regarding the Snickets, and, as far as is relevant, the Baudelaires and V.F.D., as well as many of the other characters that appear in A Series of Unfortunate Events. You get the feeling that there's a lot more to this text than meets the eye. There's almost an eeriness about the presentation, from the old-school photos and the perpetually unsolved mysteries, but the handwritten notes in the margins and clues to solving the codes make it a real feast for the fan. The funny thing is I always just wish the chapters would address what they originally were about, rather than answering Mr. Snicket's own curious questions. The writing style is naturally consistent, and the presentation, at least of the hardcover edition, is fantastic (that reversible dust jacket design is just genius).
At first I thought this book doesn't really answer anything, though it almost seems to promise to, but by the end I felt like I had just that much more of an understanding of this very unique world that the author has created. It's also funny to me that an autobiography could be unauthorized. Only Lemony Snicket.
At first I thought this book doesn't really answer anything, though it almost seems to promise to, but by the end I felt like I had just that much more of an understanding of this very unique world that the author has created. It's also funny to me that an autobiography could be unauthorized. Only Lemony Snicket.
March 16, 2017
Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography: Or, No Answers Here
As an ASOUE avid reader, if you were expecting answers to some VERY FREQUENTLY DEMANDED questions, you've come to the wrong place. This "unauthorized autobiography" literally teases the tortured reader with 13 chapters, each titled with an important question to the mystery revolving around the Baudelaires and Lemony Snicket. However, each titled question is crossed-out and a new, less important (sometimes useless) question is inserted in its place. It's not very fun to think you'll finally get answers only to learn you won't be and you are wasting your time.
Look, look -- I'm not bitter or anything and I know it might be "the point" of it all (In life, you won't always get answers. Blah, blah. Stupid existentialism). BUT, it's very frustrating to think you'll get the answers, have the author actually acknowledge all your questions, yet refuse to answer any of them.
That being said, the same quirk and charm is present in this "book" -- I just couldn't enjoy it because it seemed like a waste of time, or possibly a cash grab (J'accuse!)? Who knows?
After finishing ASOUE's Volume 13, The End, and facing that crushing disappointment, this was just another sting to the gaping wound. Gaping wound here is meant figuratively.
As an ASOUE avid reader, if you were expecting answers to some VERY FREQUENTLY DEMANDED questions, you've come to the wrong place. This "unauthorized autobiography" literally teases the tortured reader with 13 chapters, each titled with an important question to the mystery revolving around the Baudelaires and Lemony Snicket. However, each titled question is crossed-out and a new, less important (sometimes useless) question is inserted in its place. It's not very fun to think you'll finally get answers only to learn you won't be and you are wasting your time.
Look, look -- I'm not bitter or anything and I know it might be "the point" of it all (In life, you won't always get answers. Blah, blah. Stupid existentialism). BUT, it's very frustrating to think you'll get the answers, have the author actually acknowledge all your questions, yet refuse to answer any of them.
That being said, the same quirk and charm is present in this "book" -- I just couldn't enjoy it because it seemed like a waste of time, or possibly a cash grab (J'accuse!)? Who knows?
After finishing ASOUE's Volume 13, The End, and facing that crushing disappointment, this was just another sting to the gaping wound. Gaping wound here is meant figuratively.
May 19, 2017
need to reread this some other time to fully explore and enjoy it :3
March 13, 2018
This is my favorite of all the lemony snicket pieces. I didn't know this was a sad occasion.
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