Journal Entry 1 by NMReader from Herndon, Virginia USA on Saturday, December 30, 2006

Supplemental reading for A Series of Unfortunate Events.

The Barnes & Noble Review
Fans of elusive author Lemony Snicket know he's an addictive combination of Roald Dahl and Edgar Allan Poe. Now, in a wonderfully entertaining and "extremely dangerous" book called Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography, we get a peek inside the secret files of this mysterious man, a character whose identity and motives for telling the Baudelaire orphans' tales are just as cryptic as we'd imagined.
Beginning with the book's title, we know we're in for blissful secrecy. Readers are shown pieces of Daily Punctilio newspaper articles, diary notes, letters, movie scripts containing underground codes, meeting transcripts, telegrams, sheet music, photos, and more. They're all quite private and linked to Snicket -- except we're told that everything we read may or may not be true. Put simply, it all surrounds Snicket himself, the Baudelaire children, and Snicket's link to an underground organization called V.F.D., dedicated to recruiting new members and disguising their identities "in order to make sure the world remains, as we say, quiet." Throughout the "autobiography," we learn that any character could be a V.F.D. member in disguise (or even an enemy trying to foil V.F.D. objectives), and we're challenged to piece the story together ourselves.

In true Snicket form, the author's ambiguity is the name of the game. It's a brilliantly planned puzzle. Readers are lured into trying to figure out the true meaning of V.F.D. and why Snicket needs to tell the orphans' story, but do we ever really find out? That's what makes the book so appealing (or appalling). Truthfully, the author is probably off somewhere in disguise, keeping more files of his secret papers or corresponding with organization members. It's wonderful, though, when you're having this much fun. (Matt Warner)


Annotation
Lemony Snicket grew up near the sea and currently lives beneath it. To his horror and dismay, he has no wife or children, only enemies, associates, and the occasional loyal manservant. His trial has been delayed, so he is free to continue researching and recording the tragic tales of the Baudelaire orphans.

From the Publisher
Millions of readers of the New York Times best-selling A Series of Unfortunate Events have been asking the same questions: Who is Lemony Snicket? Why has his face never been captured on film? Why is he so obsessed with three unlucky orphans and a woman named Beatrice? Why is he sought after by authorities, feared by associates, avoided by friends?

Finally, here is the definitive — and only — book for anyone interested in learning more about the alarmingly elusive author. All available documentation of Snicket's shocking past has been gathered, sorted, annotated, and is now available to the general public. Here is a collection of what can only be called "evidence" writings, photographs, mysterious diagrams, and even several disorienting maps, accompanied by captions, an introduction, and extensive index. Together, these pieces will shed light on a life that until now has been shrouded in darkness and will finally answer the question on everyone's mind: What do we really know about Lemony Snicket?


About the Author


Lemony Snicket was born before you were, and is likely to die before you as well. His family has roots in a part of the country which is now underwater, and his childhood was spent in the relative splendor of the Snicket Villa which has since become a factory, a fortress and a pharmacy and is now, alas, someone else's villa.

To the untrained eye, Mr. Snicket's hometown would not appear to be filled with secrets. Untrained eyes have been wrong before. The aftermath of the scandal was swift, brutal and inaccurately reported in the periodicals of the day. It is true, however, that Mr. Snicket was stripped of severalawards by the reigning authorities, including Honorable Mention, the Grey Ribbon and First Runner Up. The High Council reached a convenient if questionable verdict and Mr. Snicket found himself in exile.

Though his formal training was chiefly in rhetorical analysis, he has spent the last several eras researching the travails of the Baudelaire orphans. This project, being published serially by HarperCollins, takes him to the scenes of numerous crimes, often during the off-season. Eternally pursued and insatiably inquisitive, a hermit and a nomad, Mr. Snicket wishes you nothing but the best.

 

Journal Entry 2 by NMReader from Herndon, Virginia USA on Sunday, January 28, 2007

The book is all you could hope for. I understand so much better Lemony Snickets determination to tell the tale of the Baudelaire children.

The insight into the character of Brett Helquist is the most important portion of this book.

It must be read to understand the great author Lemony Snicket.

This is being released as part of the Celebrate Life Challenge. This is in celebration of the children in my life. 

Journal Entry 3 by NMReader at Post Office in by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, January 28, 2007

Released 6 yrs ago (1/29/2007 UTC) at Post Office in by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

I plan to mail this to WingedMan tomorrow (1/29) over my lunch hour.

Left to read:
katintheboots
bigcurlyloz
AnglersRest
cross-patch
Mary-T
ladybug74
imuzak12
dastephan6
BecksterCa
HunterRyu
Deepswamp
AgdaAgulina
Jujuks
ladyhawked


 

Journal Entry 4 by rem_NON-938592 on Saturday, February 03, 2007

Looking forward to reading this, thanks! 

Journal Entry 5 by rem_NON-938592 on Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Interesting book. 

Journal Entry 6 by heartsong2 on Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Arrived today! It will be great to understand Lemony Snicket better! 

Journal Entry 7 by heartsong2 on Saturday, March 17, 2007

NS wasn't too sure about reading this all the way through. I think it was because he was intimidated by the cursive.

We did look at some of it together and discussed some of it together trying to figure it all out!

I thought this would maybe make some things make more sense, but I'm more confused than ever! However, it was a fun, uniquely put-together book! 

Journal Entry 8 by heartsong2 on Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Posting today to missprisy! 

Journal Entry 9 by missprisy from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA on Monday, March 26, 2007

Book arrived today, will read ASAP. 

Journal Entry 10 by missprisy from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA on Monday, April 02, 2007

Journal Entry 11 by TaleofGenji from North Jersey, New Jersey USA on Friday, April 06, 2007

Received today. My husband has not read this one so as I finish Hostile Hospital and The Beatrice Letters he'll read this one. 

Journal Entry 12 by collectorkerri from Springfield, Illinois USA on Monday, April 30, 2007

Received today. Will read ASAP. 

Journal Entry 13 by collectorkerri from Springfield, Illinois USA on Wednesday, May 30, 2007

This book shed some light on the mysterious VFD and some of the mysterious characters in the series. It answered some questions and created more. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Sent to Bibliocrates today. 

Journal Entry 14 by Bibliocrates from Fort Collins, Colorado USA on Wednesday, June 06, 2007

I caught this book in the mail yesterday. Thank you sending it my way collectorkerri. I'll start it soon, looks interesting. 

Journal Entry 15 by Bibliocrates from Fort Collins, Colorado USA on Saturday, August 11, 2007

I have finished reading this book and will be passing it on to katinthetheboots on Monday.

This was not a very satisfying read. I did like it, but I expected more answers. It was amusing, however, and much better than the Beatrice Letters, which was just confusing! I would recommend reading this book after having read A Series of Unfortunate Events in its entirety, it just doesn't make any sense otherwise. The photographs with captions were great!

Thank you for sharing NMReader! 

Journal Entry 16 by Bibliocrates at on Monday, August 13, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (8/13/2007 UTC) at

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

This book is on its way to katintheboots to continue the Lemony Snicket spiral organized by NMReader. 

Journal Entry 17 by katintheboots from Ventura, California USA on Thursday, August 16, 2007

I found this book when I checked the mail this evening. I''m almost done with the bookray I''m reading, so I''ll start this when I finish that. NMReader has me holding onto books anyway until the shipping situation is sorted out. 

Journal Entry 18 by katintheboots from Ventura, California USA on Sunday, August 19, 2007

This book was a quick read: I got through it in two sittings within a day. Though it doesn''t really answer any questions, it does provide a bit more background on VFD and Lemony Snicket. The background information provided of course just creates more questions, but I didn''t mind.

The book, being paperback, is more delicate than the rest of the books in this spiral, and a couple of pages are coming loose, so handle with care! I''ll hold onto this until NMReader says I may send it on. 

Journal Entry 19 by katintheboots from Ventura, California USA on Wednesday, September 05, 2007

I'll ship this to bigcurlyloz once she's moved to Glasgow in late September and sends me her new address. 

Journal Entry 20 by katintheboots from Ventura, California USA on Saturday, November 03, 2007

I sent this to bigcurlyloz this afternoon along with books 7-9. $30+ to ship four books! I am so not a fan of the new postal rates! 

Journal Entry 21 by bigcurlyloz from Hilton, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Monday, November 12, 2007

I'm looking forward to reading this. Thanks again for posting this and some of the series to me katintheboots. 

Journal Entry 22 by bigcurlyloz from Hilton, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, April 30, 2008

I agree with Bibliocrates that this was better than the Beatrice letters, but still found it wanting. Maybe I'm getting bored of there being lots of hints and questions raised, but never being answered, who knows! Hopefully the last book will reveal all. 

Journal Entry 23 by bigcurlyloz at Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom on Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Released 5 yrs ago (5/1/2008 UTC) at Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Passing on to AnglersRest. 

Journal Entry 24 by AnglersRest from Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom on Saturday, May 03, 2008

Recieved today with the Letters & books 11 & 12. 

Journal Entry 25 by AnglersRest from Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom on Sunday, May 18, 2008

Like previous readers, I enjoyed this book, but would have liked more answers!

Off in the post to Cross-Patch just after the bank hols along with the Beatrice Letters, Books 11 & 12 and the telling cards I forget to send last time! 

Journal Entry 26 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, May 31, 2008

Arrived in a big parcel of Lemony Snicket's in the week. I'm currently reading the last batch, hindered by the gardening, so am well stranded with the Baudelaires! Thank you NMReader and AnglersRest. And, yes, the cards are here too! 

Journal Entry 27 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, June 03, 2008

I thought this was fun. Answers, questions, who knows. It seems very adult though, and would have left me lost along with Alice in Wonderland when I was a child. 

Journal Entry 28 by Mary-T from Bruchsal, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Monday, June 16, 2008

hmmm there are some questions I would have...
... am interested if I can find some answers or explanations here.

Thanks for sharing, NMReader! :)

21-August-08
... no not really answers... nevertheless interesting to read

... I will send Book 7 - 9 incl. the unauthorized autobiography to the next participant within the next two weeks 

Journal Entry 29 by ladybug74 from Dothan, Alabama USA on Friday, September 12, 2008

Received in today's mail. I look forward to reading it! 

Journal Entry 30 by ladybug74 from Dothan, Alabama USA on Saturday, September 13, 2008

I read half of this book before I decided to stop and move on to something else. Though I do enjoy the Series of Unfortunate Events books, I did not enjoy this book enough to continue reading it. The photos and newspaper clippings printed on the pages made it a bit more interesting, so I did flip through the second half of the book to look at these. I think I may have enjoyed this book better if I had read it at the end of the spiral. I will pass it on to the next reader as soon as I read the others that arrived with it. 

Journal Entry 31 by ladybug74 at Book Spiral, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases on Monday, September 15, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (9/16/2008 UTC) at Book Spiral, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I am going to go ahead and mail this one to imuzak12 to keep the spiral going. Books 8 & 9 will follow very soon (after I read them). 

Journal Entry 32 by imuzak12 from Virginia Beach, Virginia USA on Thursday, September 25, 2008

Arribed today@Key West, Florida, USA, with BOOK 7, "The Vile Village." This one looks interesting...
I am going to read after my current readings. 

Journal Entry 33 by imuzak12 at Lawrence, Massachusetts USA on Monday, December 08, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (12/8/2008 UTC) at Lawrence, Massachusetts USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed to the next person. USPS DC#: 9102165561353005046798 

Journal Entry 34 by dastephan6 from Lawrence, Massachusetts USA on Sunday, December 14, 2008

recieved in the mail this weekend 

Journal Entry 35 by dastephan6 at Bookrelay, A Book Relay -- Controlled Releases on Monday, February 02, 2009

Released 4 yrs ago (2/2/2009 UTC) at Bookrelay, A Book Relay -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

off to the next reader 

Journal Entry 36 by BecksterCa from Willits, California USA on Saturday, March 07, 2009

just received this book. looking forward to reading it.