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The Bad Beginning

A darkly humorous tale of misfortune and adventure

Lemony Snicket author Brett Helquist illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers

Published:25th Apr '24

Should be back in stock very soon

This paperback is available in another edition too:

The Bad Beginning cover

In The Bad Beginning, the Baudelaire orphans face a series of unfortunate events filled with dark humor and clever storytelling, captivating readers worldwide.

In The Bad Beginning, readers are introduced to the Baudelaire orphans: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. These intelligent and charming children face an unfortunate series of events that test their resourcefulness and resilience. Orphaned after a tragic fire, they find themselves in the clutches of a greedy and repulsive villain who seeks to steal their fortune. The siblings navigate their new, grim reality, facing cold porridge for breakfast and itchy clothing, all while trying to outsmart their sinister guardian.

The narrative unfolds with a darkly comedic tone, reminiscent of classic storytellers like Dickens and Dahl. Lemony Snicket masterfully crafts a tale that is both irreverent and hilarious, drawing readers into the Baudelaire's misadventures. As they encounter various challenges, the siblings showcase their wit and ingenuity, proving that even in the face of adversity, hope and determination can prevail. However, the warnings are clear: this is not a tale for the faint of heart.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of this beloved series, The Bad Beginning has captivated millions, selling over 60 million copies worldwide. It has also inspired adaptations, including a Hollywood film and a popular Netflix series. As readers delve into this exquisitely dark comedy, they will find themselves questioning their own luck and perhaps even wondering if they are unlucky enough to own all thirteen of the Baudelaire's unfortunate adventures.

‘Perhaps A Series of Unfortunate Events is so special simply because Handler saw children as people. He took his readers seriously' – Guardian

Lemony Snicket is the new Harry Potter’ – Entertainment Weekly

‘Deliciously wicked and wonderful’ – The Times

‘Lemony Snicket is a publishing phenomenon’ – Independent

‘Harry Potter’s worst nightmare’ – Evening Standard

ISBN: 9780008648497

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 15mm

Weight: 320g

192 pages