Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography (A Series of Unfortunate Events)
16 journalers for this copy...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Released 17 yrs ago (1/29/2007 UTC) at
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
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
Looking forward to reading this, thanks!
Arrived today! It will be great to understand Lemony Snicket better!
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!
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!
Book arrived today, will read ASAP.
I probably wouldn't have picked this book up if it hadn't been for the book spiral. Thanks for sharing.
Release #32 for Guinaveve's Keep Them Moving 2007 Challenge
Release #32 for Guinaveve's Keep Them Moving 2007 Challenge
Received today. My husband has not read this one so as I finish Hostile Hospital and The Beatrice Letters he'll read this one.
Received today. Will read ASAP.
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.
Sent to Bibliocrates today.
I caught this book in the mail yesterday. Thank you sending it my way collectorkerri. I'll start it soon, looks interesting.
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!
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!
Released 16 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.
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.
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.
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.
I'll ship this to bigcurlyloz once she's moved to Glasgow in late September and sends me her new address.
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 Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire 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 Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire 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.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Passing on to AnglersRest.
Passing on to AnglersRest.
Recieved today with the Letters & books 11 & 12.
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!
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 3, 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.
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
... 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
Received in today's mail. I look forward to reading it!
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 15 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).
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).
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.
I am going to read after my current readings.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed to the next person. USPS DC#: 9102165561353005046798
Mailed to the next person. USPS DC#: 9102165561353005046798
recieved in the mail this weekend
Journal Entry 35 by dastephan6 at Book Relay, A Book Relay -- Controlled Releases on Monday, February 2, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (2/2/2009 UTC) at Book Relay, A Book Relay -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
off to the next reader
off to the next reader
just received this book. looking forward to reading it.