Let's Compare: Recent Read/ TV Show - The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

Series: A Series of Unfortunate Events

Publisher:  Harper Colins Publishers
Publication Date:  September 30, 1999

 

Format: Hardback
Source: Borrowed from the Library

Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

Dear Reader,

I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.

In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.

It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket 

Source

 

The Bad Beginning Part 1 and Part 2 Episodes 1 & 2

Series: A Series of Unfortunate Events

Network: Netflix
Publication Date:  January 13, 2017- present

Review: 
I read The Bad Beginning about 6 years ago but never picked up the rest of the series because I was reading other things at the time. Recently I started watching the new Netflix series... and it was available at the library so I figured I would watch and read together and then review as I went.

The Bad Beginning book is showcased in episodes 1-2 of the new series.

This first book is a great set up to the rest of the series. The Baudelaire children are orphaned and go to live with their 'closest' relative who in this case is Count Olaf, a creepy man who has plans to take over their fortune. The book using some larger words, but is also great at explaining the definitions for young readers and the story is also very captivating. There is just enough creepiness to it and the narrator is a wonderful addition.

The show did a WONDERFUL job converting this book to the screen. Count Olaf is played by Neil Patrick Harris, who transforms himself perfectly into the creepy Count and the children picked also seem perfect. The story has stayed very true to the book, although they also have added some snippets of the parents' situation in for viewers, so you have a little more information than the book gives us. 

I am enjoying both the books and the tv show (thus far) and am already reading the next boom in the series to get into the next few episodes.