Series of Unfortunate Events #1 Multi-Voice, A: The Bad Beginning

Written by Lemony Snicket

Narrated by Tim Curry

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

Like a car alarm, bagpipe music, or a doorbell ringing in the middle of the night, hearing this audio edition of The Bad Beginning will only upset you. This unique multi-voice recording brings the first book in Lemony Snicket's alarming A Series of Unfortunate Events to such terrible life that no one should really have to experience it. Unless you have an ear for such ghastly details as a tragic fire, a nefarious villain, itchy clothing, and cold porridge for breakfast, all narrated in chilly detail by the distinguished, and disturbed, Tim Curry with a team of talented readers, you would be better off listening to something else.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Nov 2, 2004
• ISBN: 9780060817916

Lemony Snicket

Lemony Snicket had an unusual education, which may or may not explain his ability to evade capture. He is the author of the thirteen volumes in A Series of Unfortunate Events, several picture books, including The Dark, and the books collectively titled All the Wrong Questions.

Reviews for Series of Unfortunate Events #1 Multi-Voice, A

[quaintlittlehead · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"A Series of Unfortunate Events" warns its reader that nothing good will happen to the protagonists, but somehow Snicket deftly handles his tragedies with enough warmth as to keep them humorous and enjoyable. The characters seem empowered, and I think that lends to the courage with which young readers are able to approach difficult aspects of the story. The author also has a nice way of defining big words for his audience, and then changing that up every once in a while just to keep adult readers amused as well. Nothing happens in the plot of this book that will sear it into my heart and memory forever. but it was a pleasurable read that left me looking forward to more, and children need books like that, too.

[Aurora Winter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A deliciously devilishly fun romp for the young and young at heart!

[naveen husnain · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s an amazing book
You have to read it Read it

[Book_worm_16 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing as a kid and even later on as an adult!

[Hudson Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a good book. More people should read it. I like to when Violet made the grappling hook to get up to Sonny stuck in the window. I liked it. How count Olaf was going to marry Violet but she did it with the wrong hand.

[anotherpersonincanada · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome book! Perfect for any children who would like to start a reading habit.

[kim jung sook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is kind of scary but the events are fun and exciting! I read this book with many questions about what will happen. I hope you will enjoy it too!

[Lily · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

an updated orphan's tale

[theamwriter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I was given this book, I had no idea what it was about. I had never even heard of it. But I opened it up and started reading. As I was introduced to the children of the story, and I just felt instantly sad for them. Here we have three children, that lost their parents to a house fire, and they now have to live with some distance relative that they either haven't seen or never met before. Then the relative tries to marry Violet so he could get their fortune. That is like insult to injury. What I liked - I really like how the author sets up book one with a beginning that shows exactly how bad things might get with these children throughout the next books. I also really liked that the children were able to outsmart the Count even though he got away from the police and everyone in the end. Though I found it a little predictable in the end, I was surprised to see that she outsmart Count Olaf and his theater friends in the end. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.What I didn't like - I didn't really like that the author would have sections of the story filled with sentences like "the word here means (insert definition here)" but I understand this is a Middle Grade book and some of those words might be above the children's vocabulary level. It just kind of took me out of the story that's all. I eventually got used to it popping up in the story but in the very beginning it was pulling me out from the story.Overall - I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. It has captured my curiosity and I look forward to reading the other books in the series. I would recommend these books to my friends (and their children who are at this reading level).

[trineice · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator had such an amazing voice. You could really tell how the characters were feeling

[jaimelesmaths · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was an OK book, but unrealistic. I felt the twist at the end was predictable. I decided not to read the rest of the books in the series.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Baudelaire children couldn’t be more unlucky. They lose their parents, their home and all their belongings in a terrible fire, and they are sent to live with the mysterious Count Olaf as his wards. His place is nothing short of creepy and he treats them terribly. And that’s just the beginning of their bad luck. Will they be able to thwart his nefarious plan to steal their fortune? Will they have to live with him? How can children protect themselves against adults who are more knowledgeable and who have all the power?It’s a deliciously wicked tale. And you can’t claim you weren’t warned as both the book jacket and the audio CD jacket clearly warn you this will be unpleasant – even scary. Still children (and adults) will absolutely love it. The audio book is performed by Tim Curry and a supporting cast. Curry is at his best performing this book. His narration made it all the more enjoyable for me.

[Mariela · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is very fun and dark. It’s great for people or children who want to read a sort of darker children’s book.

[desemaj2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun

[evelynnygren · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Classic book series but probably not my favorite so far. I know I'm only one book in, but it is very slow. I do enjoy the way this book is written, it's very different and unique. I will be reading the rest of the series of course because "first impressions are often entirely wrong" as Lemony Snicket says.

[John Kearney · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book was an experience. I enjoyed it very much.

[Farmer Courtney Sullivan · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

No no no no no I did not like this at all the reader was terrible I like the series on Netflix much better I didn’t even finish this book the movie series does a much better job it’s like one of those books that is better in a movie than a book

[Malone · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing audiobook experience! I will definitely be buying this when I can!

[Linda Bordenave · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the movie that was made from the books so I knew I would love reading the stories. This is the first of many books and it was delightful. I will be reading the rest of the series.

[Fena Reti · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Exceptional. Children’s fiction at its finest. I wish I had read it when I was younger. At age 23, I enjoyed it tremendously and I’m off to start the next one.

[Kristina Patch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hilarious, wry, witty, dramatic and tongue in cheek. Knowledge of nuptial law was limited lol.

[m m · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great quick book to listen for the kids on longer then normal car rides

[Taylor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’ve surprisingly never read A Series of Unfortunate Events and now that I’ve read The Bad Beginning, I realize that’s quite an… unfortunate… fact.

I read this one for the #sparkjoyreadathon for the “a book by an author you’ve never read before” prompt. I actually listened to this one on Scribd… and I’m so happy that I chose to listen to the audiobook rather than read the ebook!

One of the things I loved most about this audiobook is that it included some background music, sounds, and used other narrators for the different voices. It was primarily narrated by Tim Curry though, and it was just as amazing as you’d expect it to be.

Despite never having read the books, I do know the storyline, as I’ve watched the movie as well as the Netflix rendition. I can safely say that the show is just as amazing as the book and the version of the audiobook I listened to was SO. GOOD. Not one bad thing about it, honestly.

If you haven't already read this one or you're thinking of rereading it, I cannot recommend the audiobook on Scribd enough!

[Joy Taranto · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

the autiobook was an amazing story. but I especiasly liked the part when Violet used her left hand instead of her right, and when she made an invention.

[Ashley · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This series is one that I have always known about yet never read. I have watched the movie and the first season of the Netflix show but never read them. I was surprised at how well the show did with recreating this series. I was expecting a lot of differences but it stays pretty true to the story. Tim Curry does an amazing job narrating the story and I think he is the perfect narrator for this depressing tale. The only thing I didn’t love about this was all the definition for words, but it makes sense for the reading level.

Overall, this was as unfortunate as I thought it would be and probably should have picked a different time to read it. I don’t really need any more depressing things in my life right now but at the same time I want to continue listening to the series. We will see if I actually continue the series.

[Zachary Cruise · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another book that’s leaps and bounds better than the movie. Did not disappoint even after all these years.

[Raine Colubio · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Quite different from the version I listened to before - - the one with The Gothic Archies songs... Which I missed while I was listening to this... I really enjoyed everyone's performances though - - most especially Tim Curry's Lemony Snicket ❤️

[Marthe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed it as an adult, but I don't think it's everyone's cup of tea. It is what it is, and what it does it does very well in my opinion. It's quite short so why don't you give it a go ;)

[Shac Cooper · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The sound effects in audiobook are unbearable. I tried but it’s too much

[Emily · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is not a typical heart warming book. However, there are life lessons here to be learned. Glad it is just a story!