A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Bad Beginning: Book the First, Summaries

 

Summary by Brian Maregedze

Date: 11/03/2022

A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Bad Beginning: Book the First

By Lemony Snicket

Chapter 1

The book is dedicated to Beatrice who is dead but dearest and darling to the author. The introduction of the novel takes the reader into bad circumstances taking shape in the lives of three children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny, all from the Baudelaire family. These three kids received the bad news of the death of their parents from an inferno while they were hanging out at Briny Beach. Mr. Poe delivered the sad news to the three kids which they initially received as a joke. Upon realising that Mr. Poe was telling them the truth, all the kids became sad with grief. Mr. Poe also informed the kids that he was their executor although the kids felt he was in fact an executioner for delivering bad news to them.

Yes, this is a sad chapter with a subtle character- Klaus, who contemplated on his burnt books in the library. Thoughts of how he would never read his books again linger at a time of grief.

12/03/2022

Chapter 2

Summary writing by Brian Maregedze

A series of bad events continue to unfold in the lives of three Baudelaire orphans‌ Klaus, Violet and Sunny who temporarily fall under the custody of Mr. Poe. While they were staying with Mr. Poe, sharing rooms with his two kids Edgar and Albert made life miserable since they were not used to that. Violet also expressed that they never had fun as they would always mop.

Count Olaf becomes the guardian of the three Baudelaire orphans. He lived close to where they once lived before the fire accident, which eventually killed their parents. The kids’ first impression of Count Olaf is that of discomfort and uneasiness because they liked their neighbour Justice Strauss. Mr. Poe introduced Count Olaf as an actor, although he lived in an ugly house at least according to the kids.