Like a car alarm, bagpipe music, or a doorbell ringing in the middle of the night, hearing this all-new audio edition of The Bad Beginning will only upset you. This unique multi-voice recording brings the first book in Lemony Snicket's alarming A Series of Unfortunate Events to such terrible life that no one should really have to experience it. Unless you have an ear for such ghastly details as a tragic fire, a nefarious villain, itchy clothing, and cold porridge for breakfast, all narrated in chilly detail by the distinguished, and disturbed, Tim Curry with a team of talented readers, you would be better off listening to something else.
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[If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book]***
(HarperCollins, 2 November 2004, first published 30 September 1999, 2 hours 30 minutes, audiobook, narrated by Tim Curry, borrowed from my library)
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I loved The Bad Beginning.
I've never read the books before and to be honest never really thought they would be my cup of tea. I haven't seen the Netflix show but thought it looked good.
I'm glad I decided to listen to the audiobook. I enjoyed it so much I need to watch the show and read or listen to the other books. ASAP!
The quality of the audiobook is really high. Tim Curry is excellent as Count Olaf and the other characters are spot on as well.
A Bad Beginning is the kind of book I'd love as a child. It's also perfect for reading to children, just the right amount of scares and humour. Count Olaf is the perfect villain. Something Roald Dahl would be proud of.
I loved the characters, able to hold their own when thrust into awful circumstances. Violet is a great heroine, smart, feisty and tough. The book is quite dark towards the end when Count Olaf's true plans are revealed and I can't wait to find out what happens next.
The Bad Beginning was a treat to listen to.
