Lemony Snicket

Dear Reader, If you have not read anything about the Baudelaire orphans, then before you read even one more sentence, you should know this: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted, but their lives, I am sorry to say, are filled with bad luck and misery. All of the stories about these three children are unhappy and wretched, and this one may be the worst of them all.If you haven't got the stomach for a story that includes a hurricane, a signalling device, hungry leeches, cold cucumber soup, a horrible villain, and a doll named Pretty Penny, then this book will probably fill you with despair.I will continue to record these tragic tales, for that is what I do. You, however, should decide for yourself whether you can possibly endure this miserable story. With all due respect, Lemony Snicket

A Series of Unfortunate Events #3: The Wide Window

There is nothing to be found in the pages of A Series of Unfortunate Events but misery and despair. You still have time to choose another international best-seller to read. But if you must know what unpleasantries befall the charming and clever Baudelaire children read on . . . In The Wide Window we encounter a story that includes a hurricane, a signalling device, hungry leaches, cold cucumber soup, a horrible villain and a doll named Pretty Penny. With 5 million copies sold in the UK alone, one might consider Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events to make him one of the most successful children’s authors of the past decade. We, however, consider these miserable so-called adventure stories and the Hollywood film starring Jim Carrey that accompanied the books for children as nothing more than a dreadful mistake.

The Wide Window

I was actually very entertained during this entire thing. I like that it broke the established formula and had truly intriguing events that unfolded for the siblings. 

Nik ✨

kelsey

5✰

“we're all afraid,” violet said firmly, “but that didn't stop us.”

my brave, brave children i love them so much

Hanna Rybchynska

This book was the best for now! really enjoyed the story and all the unfortunate events that the kids went through. I also like a lot the narrator and the way he is always makes side notes. This notes are about some words and expressions. As english is not my first language it is fun to descover some new words and expressions. I belive that this is an amazing book for kids!!

Monicap

The plot evolved yet more in this book. I like how the idea that Count Olaf might seduce one of their guardians was introduced, though it didn't necessarily come to fruition.

Besides the elementary schooler complaint that I continue to have, I think this book happened far too quickly. The story arc could have been stretched, and then we would have been able to explore that seduction angle more fully.

Yet, the three main characters continue to grow and it is in this books that they finally start to realize that they can't always count on adults to be smart and save them. I'm excited to see how this continues to evolve throughout the series.

I hated all the adults in this story, I hate them so much, they are just so dull and unlikeable, the get on my nerves, especially Mr. Poe that good for NOTHING AHHHHHH my poor orphans 😭 they deserve way better but they are super naive 

Daizo 

Julia

Briar's Reviews

Ah, another gem by Lemony Snicket!

This series was my life back in my youth. I lived for every word, page and chapter I could get my hands on. I devoured these books, re-read them and boasted about them to all of my friends. So, it was only fitting that as an adult I wanted to jump back into these books for a little fun. And they hold up really well!

Yet again, The Beaudelaire children are being thrusted into another random family member's home. This time around, Aunt Josephine welcomes them with open arms. She's crazy, scared of everything and lives in a house that's basically falling off a cliff. And, what would you expect from this series? Count Olaf is back! And, of course, he wants to get the fortune he was promised back in book one.

Positives:
1. Mr Poe is a delightful dummy. I can't get enough of him. Back in the day, he was the most frustrating character I'd ever read, but now I adore him. 

2. This book is ripe with character development. We see the kids grow, change and mold each other over time and it's really intriguing. I never noticed this as a kid, so I'm glad I grabbed these as adults. Clearly, this book is way smarter than it appears! There's something in it for every age group.

3. Meryl Streep is Aunt Josephine. Fight me.

4. The word selection in this book, like the rest of the series, is awesome. You'll learn a few new words by reading it.

5. The plot is amusing, the story is fast paced and it's an easy read. I flew through this book! It's also a guilty pleasure read since it's so simple and fun.

Negatives:
1. There's so much death and despair in this series. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but readers and parents need to realize that going into this series. Lemony Snicket made these books to be a darker middle grade series, so reader beware.

2. There's lots of talk about Grammar. I can see some young readers being bored to tears by it. As an adult, I was chuckling and enjoying it though!

3. This series is repetitive. The kids get dropped off at a relative, Count Olaf is there, he runs away. I'm still enjoying the ride, but I kind of hope things get changed up in future books. I don't remember how the rest of them went, so here's hoping...

Overall, I enjoyed this book! I am going to see this series to the finish because it's so fun and easy to read. I'd recommend this to middle grade readers looking for something a little more angsty with a dash of fun!

Four out of five stars!

Michael Springer

The voice of the author is funny in a faux-Gothic emo tongue-in-cheek kind of way, and--let's be honest--what's funnier than horrible things happening over and over again to innocent children? 

But, like all formulaic books, these become kind of...formulaic. If you've read three, you've read them all, and you feel like you've read nine. 

This is where I stopped.

Olaf's bumbling villainy just can't keep up with the Baudelaires' brilliance! These resourceful orphans are back in action, ready to outwit their way out of another sticky situation. Who needs grown-ups when you have quick thinking and a dash of Baudelaire ingenuity?

Liana

Eh this one was good but definitely a major step down from the first to. At this point the plot feels super repetitive and Mr. Poe annoys me so much when he doesn’t believe them or listen to them that I was infuriated and irritated a little bit while listening to this one. 

Jessie!

Ryan LaFerney

The Wide Window is the third novel of the children's book series A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. In this novel, the Baudelaire orphans live with their aunt Josephine, who is seemingly scared of everything and of course, a sailor named "Captain Sham", who is actually Count Olaf in disguise, shows up to get a hold of the Beaudelaire orphans. 

I didn't like this entry as much as the first two novels but it was still entertaining.

Ingrid 

My favorite in the series so far. I was unsure if I was going to continue this series, but after reading this book and liking it more then the 2 previous ones, I think I will.

Grace O'Callaghan

*4.5 ⭐️

I apologise if I repeat the same things over and over again in my reviews of these books, I just can’t help gushing.

After having their wonderful guardian Dr. Montgomery snatched away from them by the conniving Count Olaf, the Baudelaire orphans are shipped off to live with their Aunt Josephine on the side of a cliff facing Lake Lachrymose. The Baudelaires have yet to face more misery and despair.

I can’t say that Aunt Josephine was a good guardian, but she was fun at times. She’s so scared of everything and obsessed with grammar. Her obsession was pretty annoying, and now I can see how I can be annoying when pointing out someone’s bad grammar. 

Klaus really grew on me in this one. Whilst Violet was panicking Klaus was able to remain cool headed and look beyond what was right in front of them. Sunny was a delight as ever and Violet was her usual self. The Baudelaires definitely displayed more anger in this book, and fairly so. The adults treat them as if they cannot possibly comprehend their situation and think they’re paranoid when they aren’t at all.

I really love the way that adults are portrayed in this series. Whilst they are hyperbolic, the idea is still the same. Adults are flawed humans who are selfish and scared. They don’t always listen to children and they don’t always know what’s best.

Captain Sham was also extremely funny. He’s funny without meaning to be and is still a menacing antagonist.

The plot wasn’t as exciting as the first two in my personal opinion, but it was still an enjoyable one.

I’m actually watching the Netflix series along with the books which is an interesting experience. I love being able to guess how it will look and then seeing it presented in front of me. I also really appreciate the amount of detail they go into with basically about two hours per book, it’s like getting a movie for each one. 

An atmospheric and dark sequel with complex characters and a plot filled with despair.

Having escaped Count Olaf's clutches, the three Baudelaire siblings arrive on the shores of Lake Lachrymose to stay with Aunt Josephine. When she goes missing, the Baudelaire's must once again fight their way out of Count Olaf's wicked schemes.

Giulia Pianta

** spoiler alert **
           Nice as usual. I can't help but see the TV series episodes while reading, which makes the book even better.
The character of Josephine is much less nice in the book and I really didn't like her that much. I still find the idea of her being so scared and cooking just weird cold stews quite interesting.
I am wondering if they are going to introduce a lot of the VFD as in the episodes, as there is still no mention. Considering they have a big impact in the episodes, I wonder how the books are different and how are resolved without all the volunteers.

Ren Christina

Such a great book. I started this series just under a decade ago, so to be rereading it after so long is lovely. 

This series has the ability to be both hilarious and depressing at the same time. A great series, definitely recommend to anyone who hasn't read it yet.

Sam Pulliam

I used to find reading this book a chore. I felt it was the worst in the series but I actually really enjoyed it this time around.

Olivera Mitić

Jelke Lenaerts

I didn't like this as much as the other two.

Áine Murphy

Clara Garcia

i'm having a lot of fun with this series, so far!

Danica Holdaway

Another interesting installment of the Series! Starts to get a little laborious, especially with Aunt Josephine being so over the top. Still a good read!

Leelynn Brady

“There are few sights sadder than a ruined book.” 

I swear the books just get worse and worse (meaning the content, not my thoughts of the books). I think Aunt Josephine was the absolute worse guardian that the Baudelaires ever had, not including Count Olaf of course. I don't think anyone can be on par with Uncle Monty except their parents, and of course, if their parents were alive they wouldn't have had to deal with all of these unfortunate events.

Reading this for the second time - the first time being a long, long time ago - I had to realize that the Baudelaires were practically thrown away by Aunt Josephine. I don't know if I ever realized it to the extent that I did today just how terrible she was. She was a coward, and I don't know how her husband Ike ever dealt with her. I don't know how she never died of fright earlier. How she lived so long was beyond me.

In case you didn't notice, I'm trying to get through all of these books to finally see what happened to the Baudelaires. I never finished the series the first time around, but here I am, trying to accomplish this goal. So here goes.

Poor Baudelaires.

Daryl Houston

I'm still digging these books but am beginning to hope Snicket mixes things up a bit between now and book 13.

Yasmin S.

Aunt Josephine made me want to hit her with her heaviest grammar book. What an annoying character! Lemony certainly knows how to make you hate a character.