A Series of Unfortunate Events #2: The Reptile Room

Written by Lemony Snicket

Narrated by Tim Curry

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent children. They are charming, and resourceful, and have pleasant facial features. Unfortunately, they are exceptionally unlucky.

In the first two books alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, a lumpy bed, a deadly serpent, a large brass reading lamp, a long knife, and a terrible odour.

In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Never before has a tale of three likeable and unfortunate children been quite so enchanting, or quite so uproariously unhappy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9780062362681

Lemony Snicket

Lemony Snicket was born in a small town where the inhabitants were suspicious and prone to riot. He now lives in the city. During his spare time he gathers evidence and is considered something of an expert by leading authorities.

Reviews for A Series of Unfortunate Events #2

[Dakota · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow, such a brilliant species indeed!
Such a fun book for this series, does what it needs to do.

[Leah Kaplan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The ending of this book always moves me. Such a special series

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

Is an amazing book I love it I recommend it

[Lina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narration by Tim Curry is brilliant, I wish I could find other audio books in the series that were narrated by him. He performed the book which made an entertaining book even better.

[Nancy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I started reading this with daughter and decided to finish this myself for now.

[김소정 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great book. I love it a lot. :):):)

[Alyssa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed it. And as usual, the audiobook was brilliant! The cast were amazing in their performance. Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Juanita Thompson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So cool and I love mystery that’s what makes it so good.❤️

[Krystal West · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was such a great book to listen to i Highly recommend it it

[Amy Bruce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was the best book I love the series!

[Zahira Ramos · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Second one and honestly really liking the series but I do not see me giving it to my son until he is older because it is a little harsh. But over all great.

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

I expected nothing more than what I got here. Tim Curry is a fantastic narrator.

[Zachary Cruise · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great follow up to the first book. The childrens lives are so unreasonably awful that it makes the best stories

[shanaqui_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Just like the first book, easy to read and enjoyable. I suspect the stupidity of adults in this series is going to get seriously irritating, though. The patronising tone of the narrative seems unnecessary -- it gives Lemony Snicket a distinct character, of course, but... -- and in any case, it gets irritating.

One thing I did like best about this book was the characterisation of the friendly snake. It made me smile. And the jokes/puns about the snake names, and not letting the Virginian Wolf snake near a typewriter...

[ariel lowes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Tim Curry is a gem in this series. Truly astonishing

[quaintlittlehead · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lemony Snicket returns with another tale of the miserable Baudelaire children. The beginning of this book is not as atmospheric or creepy as its predecessor, but it soon becomes an interesting cross between a really long Encyclopedia Brown mystery and a "Who's On First?" comedy routine. Children will once again learn the importance of being clever, while adults will see just enough inside jokes to keep them snickering, too.

[4everfanatical · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't think I have ever come across a book that is so depressing yet so full of hope at the same time. A very enjoyable instalment in the series.

[Victor Testing22 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A really good book of the boudelaire brothers and the evil count Okaf

[Heider · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome!!! Every bit of it is just a delight!!! :)

[Rahaf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

OMG this was so good ❤ I loved it so much, and the narrator was Perfect.

[Stephanie Frick · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm a little disappointed that they did not keep the other voice actors for this book compared to the 1st book.

[Julie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sdtaylor555/ IDIOT! It's meant for kids jeez no need to comment on everything

[elizajane_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story picks up with the children in the car driving to their new home. Here they meet their distant uncle, Uncle Monty, who is a pleasant and intelligent man. The children seem to have finally found a wonderful place to live after the death of their parents but, alas, that is not to be. For only a few short days later, Uncle Monty's new assistant arrives and the children are positive he is Count Olaff in disguise. The pace from the first book picks up and this second book is much more fast-paced. The dark, gothic atmosphere continues and added is a touch of Holmesian detecting as the children set out to solve the murder mystery. Both the story and the new characters of Uncle Monty and the Incredibly Deadly Viper are a lot of fun. In the words of my 7yo who said this several times as I was reading aloud to him, "This is better than the first book!" If you enjoyed the first book you will love "The Reptile Room".

[__lindsey__ · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Well, I can't say this one was a whole lot better than the first, but I have a feeling I will just keep reading these just to see what kind of crazy situations the Baudelaire children will end up in next. Each book starts up exactly where the last one left off, so I will probably just keep going and going until I hit #13, haha. They are such quick, easy reads. I can't say the plots have been awesome in these books, but what's keeping me interested is the new setting and a new eccentric character in each book so far (I'm on #3 right now).
I'm starting to suspect that the main reason the author wrote these books was to teach children new vocabulary words, although he really took more liberty in defining the words in this book than the last which can be humorous when you really know what those words mean, but it concerns me that he's really going to mess up some kids' understanding of some words.

[beammey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm reading all of TUE for the first time and I have to say I am really enjoying them. At first I wasn't so sure, but they're quick, easy reads and they're entertaining. They aren't happy by any means, just like the description says, but I can see how this series has become something of a children's classic. I can't wait to get onto book three. 5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this book.

[abiiharrisonn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

[3.5] this was never my favourite in the series but i think for someone reading it for the first time, it would be just as enjoyable as the others, especially given it’s the first book that begins to follow a pattern of count olaf disguising himself to get to the baudelaires. this still feels so nostalgic to me so by no means did i dislike it!!

[nigellicus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

To finish one book in an afternoon might be unfortunate. To finish a second one smacks of carelessness. Concern for the fates of the Baudelaire children, despite reassurances from the author that there is nothing good to be expected, compels one, however, and this time they are almost happy, for a while, until the reliably dreadful Count Olaf arrives to make sure the events continue unfortunate.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Digital Audiobook narrated by Tim Curry


This is book two in A Series of Unfortunate Events, detailing the (mis)adventures of the Baudelaire orphans.

I can see the appeal for children, as it plays on their fears of abandonment while also playing up their resourcefulness and ability to get the best of the bad guy. I like how the three siblings work together, each with his/her own strengths.

I, of course, am WAY past the age for the target audience, and I was somewhat turned off by the outlandishness of the scenario. Still, it’s a fast read and I’m sure children will find it delightful.

I listened to the audiobook. I love Tim Curry and he is marvelous as a narrator for this series. He oozes oily wickedness when voicing Count Olaf, and I love the asides to explain the “harder” vocabulary words.

[David Feliciano Echevarria · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Finished on april 7 2020. I hate coronavirus. It was ok

[matthewbloome · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a great story. It's just too bad it had to end this way. I liked it a lot, which is odd because I remember reading the first book and maybe this one as well and basically giving my all to get to the end. Today, I blew through it cover to cover. I really liked Uncle Monty, and "Stephano" a.k.a. Uncle Olaf was a convincing villain. I really didn't like him throughout, and that's always good for a bad villain if that makes any sense.