tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8643075855683234513.post8855979484657057878..comments2023-11-11T23:11:51.397-05:00Comments on The Well-Read Child: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony SnicketAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848812271752659857noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8643075855683234513.post-77954382110421667152009-11-05T18:43:56.527-05:002009-11-05T18:43:56.527-05:00I just find the whole depressing setting as tongue...I just find the whole depressing setting as tongue-in-cheek. Yes, I love the vocabulary bits and I admit after halfway through the series, I find the plot rather predictable. Yet, I do want to keep the entire series as it is different from other happy ending stories and for the vocabulary bits.Santhinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8643075855683234513.post-83681021223988647552008-10-01T22:56:00.000-04:002008-10-01T22:56:00.000-04:00I read the first three, and it wasn't the bleaknes...I read the first three, and it wasn't the bleakness that put me off - it was the frustration that this man keeps trying to kill the children, gets caught - and they know he wears disguises - and no one believes them when they say he's back and trying to kill them! Can this go on in all the books? I didn't stick around long enough to see, although I did enjoy the ones I read. The audio versions are even better (at least the first few ) - they are read by Tim Curry, who does a delightfully wicked Count Olaf. :-)Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09551558744801344170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8643075855683234513.post-51471947025493556482008-09-18T15:37:00.000-04:002008-09-18T15:37:00.000-04:00Mary, Thanks so much for telling why you think you...Mary, <BR/>Thanks so much for telling why you think your students love them. I definitely love the often funny vocabulary lessons, and I can really see why children would be interested in discovering the bad guys and learning how the kids are going to get out of their current predicament. <BR/><BR/>Jeremy, <BR/>I did enjoy the humor, but I'm totally with you on the depressing part. I think its because I often read books to escape from "real life," and I often want happy endings.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848812271752659857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8643075855683234513.post-62805907028253333402008-09-18T15:04:00.000-04:002008-09-18T15:04:00.000-04:00Thank you! I've felt like a bit of an outsider for...Thank you! I've felt like a bit of an outsider for not enjoying these books at all, when everyone else seems to think they're grand. Just too depressing, with no real glimmer of hope at any point. Even when they sort of solve the problem at the end, their lives still suck!Jeremyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01293317607000363396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8643075855683234513.post-2069566124437697132008-09-17T22:03:00.000-04:002008-09-17T22:03:00.000-04:00My students do tend to read them all. I think the...My students do tend to read them all. I think they are attracted to many things about the books:<BR/>1. The anticipation of finding out how the children get out of the dire circumstances is the biggest draw. <BR/>2. I think they like that they can recognize the bad guys before the author tells them who they are. (they are always disguised)<BR/><BR/>I like them to read them all because the vocabulary of the books is incredible. The author explains the big words he uses (and he uses many words that are challenging for the age group that likes these books the most.) <BR/><BR/>I read about five and have the last one on my list to read whenever it stays checked in for a bit. There is only so much time and so MANY books to read.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06841160359297114009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8643075855683234513.post-1875170823495935442008-09-17T19:46:00.000-04:002008-09-17T19:46:00.000-04:00Rebecca,There ARE funny parts, and I honestly have...Rebecca,<BR/>There ARE funny parts, and I honestly haven't read enough background information to determine Handler's intent. I can see how they appeal to kids, but I know by the third book, I already weary from reading them. I can't imagine reading 13!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848812271752659857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8643075855683234513.post-62672506753313286642008-09-17T11:34:00.000-04:002008-09-17T11:34:00.000-04:00I admit, I've only seen the movie (which is bad to...I admit, I've only seen the movie (which is bad to admit when I'm commenting on a book review). But I am with you: <EM>why</EM> would I want to read about kids who have all sorts of horrible things happen to them? Why is that good? Or is it supposed to be funny enough to cancel out the horror of the dumb things that happen? Is it funny at all?<BR/><BR/>I don't imagine I'll read any of these. At least, not until my son mentions wanting to read them.Rebecca Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06062252252301802298noreply@blogger.com