Didn't like this book. I found the frequent definitions of words annoying and the style of writing wasn't my cup of tea.
I did love the style of binding though!

Posted to Fleebo this morning.

Received in the mail from raven4022. Thanks so much! I've been intrigued by this series for a long time, and with the upcoming movie I thought it would be best to read it first. Looking forward to it, despite your review!

What a curious book. I guess I was expecting something Harry Potter-ish, but this seems to be aimed at both a younger and an older audience... younger because of the somewhat patronising language, and older because of the real domestic violence that takes place. Count Olaf is a preposterously evil character - one of the most pantomime-y, irrationally cruel characters that I've ever come across in a kids book. His wicked plan is truly icky, when you think about it.
I may still pursue the other books in the series, and also see the movie starring Jim Carrey as Count Olaf. (The pictures I've seen of it look absolutely perfect. Take a look.)

Update 26 May 2005: I've read books 2 and 3 now, and I must say that the series improves as it goes along!

Offering this book as an Australia-wide bookring, after a long mailing-list discussion of the series.

Participants:
tqd
senna1
wombles
flitterby
sunny27
rjm <-- It's here! and not moving
Carlynlee
stetar
jelicle

and then back to me. Please keep it moving along - it's only a short book!

Well, this turned up last night (hurrah! an early Christmas present!) and I couldn't be bothered turning the computer on to journal its arrival (you know what it's like when you spend all day at work in front of a computer as it is). So I had an early night, and thought "I'll just start that book, I'm in the mood for a kids' book tonight..." and in less than an hour I had finished it. I am slightly boggled.

And I enjoyed it immensely.

I didn't think I would, because when this book was discussed on the Australian Bookcrossing mailing list (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcaus/) it sounded far too bleak and frankly, I can barely deal with Harry Potter losing his parents, how was I going to cope with three orphans and not a single Weasley in sight???

I coped admirably, although probably not as admirably as Violet, Klaus and Sunny themselves. They were obviously unhappy with what their lives had turned into (complete crud), but they stuck together, they obviously loved each other very much and stood up for each other, and they came up with plans to thwart the baddies when most of us would probably be crying into our pillows and selling each other out for any advantage.

Oh, and weren't the baddies completely pantomime and over the top?? It's hard to think of a nastier panto baddy than Count Olaf (even the name is perfect). I'd love to see Jim Carrey play Count Olaf - even though reviewers have said that he's unbearably hammy, the Count himself was unbearably hammy to me.

And I loved the definitions of the words, it made for a quirky style of writing and nice little comments on what we say vs what we really mean.

And the translations of what Sunny said (having a toddler underfoot myself, I know that sometimes "gah" means "where did I put my favourite teddy bear this time?" and sometimes it means "read me another Spot book, mummy!" and sometimes it means "dammit, woman, I'm not having baken beans for dinner again!!!"). It's all in the inflexion and context.

So, now to PM senna1 to pass this book along! Oh, and to try and find the next book in the series.

Thanks Fleebo for starting this ring!

Received today from TQD. I can't wait to get into this one after the many comments on the Aussie BXing site. I agree with raven4022, I like the binding!

Overall I liked this book - I can't believe I read it in one night though. Like Raven4022, I found the constant definitions a bit annoying but then again, I guess it is a childrens book.
I'm glad I read it so I know what people are talking about on the BCAUS discussion board.
PMing Wombles for address.

Sent to wombles today.

Can't wait to read this, but my son grabbed it as soon as I opened the parcel! He will read it fast though, btw I love the cover on this one prefer it over the yellowy one.

Finished this in 40 minutes! :) Well it didn't make me want to rush out and see the movie but it was good to see what everyone is talking about. I found it disturbing and the definitions bugged me but would have been good for my son who read it bfore me and may not have known all the words.
I found myself reading the same sentence over and over.... funnily enough!

Just arrived in today's mail. Will read it in the next few days and add my thoughts to this growing journal when finished. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read it!

Interesting quirky book. Not sure if I liked it or not, but I didn't hate it either. The definitions of words were interesting in that there were rather large words used that weren't explained yet other words were. I think it was more for effect but I wouldn't be surprised to see a list of words associated with the book for reading/spelling tests!

Count Olaf was definitely an evil man. You can't accuse the author of being overly sappy or sweet, that's for sure.

My mum in law expressed an interest in the book and will see if she has finished it and then send it on to jelicle.

Thanks for offering this book. It's sure not one I'd normally read and I really did want to see what the BCAUS conversation was all about.

Arrived safe and sound yesterday. I'm really looking forward to it,

I didn't like this book much, either, but I'm glad I've read it. I can't understand why it has been so popular with children. I thought the language was very patronising and this would be a turn-off to them. Perhaps I am now officially old? Released yesterday. Thanks for the ring!