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A Series of Unfortunate Events #9
The Carnivorous Carnival - A Series Of Unfortunate Events, Book The Ninth
2003 HarperCollins hardcover, Lemont Snicket (The Bad Beginning). Everybody loves a carnival! Who can fail to delight in the colourful people, the unworldly spectacle, the fabulous freaks? A carnival is a place for good family fun—as long as one has a family, that is. For the Baudelaire orphans, their time at the carnival turns out to be yet another episode in a now unbearable series of unfortunate events. In fact, in this appalling ninth installment in Lemony Snicket's serial, the siblings must confront a terrible lie, a caravan, and Chabo the wolf baby. - Amazon
Hardcover
First published October 28, 2002
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39357 people want to read
About the author
Lemony Snicket
321 books26.6k followersLemony Snicket had an unusual education and a perplexing youth and now endures a despondent adulthood. His previous published works include the thirteen volumes in A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Composer is Dead, and 13 Words. His new series is All The Wrong Questions.
For A Series of Unfortunate Events:
www.lemonysnicket.com
For All The Wrong Questions:
www.lemonysnicketlibrary.com
For A Series of Unfortunate Events:
www.lemonysnicket.com
For All The Wrong Questions:
www.lemonysnicketlibrary.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,919 reviews
March 25, 2023
Carnivorous SADNESS.
After leaving Heimlich Hospital and Hal the archivist behind, the self-sustaining Baudelaire travel to Caligari Carnival; a remote location where they meet Madame Lulu, a totally legit know-it-all fortune-teller. The disguised orphans then start working in the Freak House Wagon, and they befriend hunchback Hugo, ambidextrous Kevin and Colette the contortionist. A brief respite of apprehension takes place; until a evil-natured Lion Tamer arrives at the Carnival and, against all possible odds, calamity strikes again.
Another clever ruse! VFD doesn’t mean Very Fancy Doilies, or Village of Fowl Devotees, or Volunteers Fighting Disease, the real meaning of VDF is Valley of the Four Drafts. WOW! I don’t feel like a gullible moron at all! LOVED Hugo, Kevin and Colette, at least in the beginning, three freakishly innocent souls, but sadly very easily manipulated by their evil captors. Totally HATED the evil Lion Tamer, a multi-layered character with complex motivations, unlike the despicable… oh FORGET IT! . Also HATED Esme, a loving girlfriend that enjoys receiving gifts and throwing people into lion infested pits. The Baudelaire arsonists still at large, trying desperately to find a possible surviving parent, and burning everything in their path.
A thrilling sequel, especially after the disappointing #8. The self-sustaining Baudelaire keeping it together, although suffering spiritually after using several of Olaf’s tactics, like disguising, lying and forcedly taking not always the right choice. Their freakish new friends also making some morally questionable decisions. I feel myself more and more drawn to the story, the tension ever rising, and every book a step closer to the secrets of VDF, and the final conclusion of the series not so far way.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[2002] [286p] [Children’s] [3.5] [Almost Recommendable] [Baudelaire arsonists] [Hugo, Kevin and Colette <3 <\3] [Die Olaf DIE!] [Die Esme DIE!] [Olivia the people-pleaser <3 <\3] [You must avenge my death Kimba]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. The Bad Beginning [3.5]
★★★★☆ 2. The Reptile Room [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Wide Window
★★☆☆☆ 4. The Miserable Mill [2,5]
★★★★★ 5. The Austere Academy [4.5]
★★★☆☆ 6. The Ersatz Elevator
★★★★★ 7. The Vile Village
★☆☆☆☆ 8. The Hostile Hospital
★★★☆☆ 9. The Carnivorous Carnival [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Slippery Slope [3.5]
★★★★☆ 11. The Grim Grotto
★★★☆☆ 12. The Penultimate Peril [3.5]
★★★★☆ 13. The End
★★★★☆ 14. The Complete Wreck
-----------------------------------------------
TRISTEZA Carnívora.
Después de dejar el Hospital Heimlich y a Hal el archivista atrás, los autosuficientes Baudelaire viajan al Carnaval Caligari; un remoto lugar donde conocen a Madame Lulu, una totalmente legítima sábelo todo adivina. Los huérfanos disfrazados luego empiezan a trabajar en el Vagón de los Fenómenos, y traban amistad con Hugo el jorobado, el ambidextro Kevin y Colette la contorsionista. Un breve respiro de aprensión tiene lugar; hasta que un Domador de Leones de mala naturaleza llega al Carnaval y, contra todo posible pronóstico, la calamidad golpea otra vez.
¡Otro inteligente ardid! VFD no significa Vistosas blondas para Fiestas Decorativas, o Villa de los Fieles Devotos, o Voluntarios Frente Deflagraciones, el verdadero significado de VDF es ¡Valle Cuatro Vientos! ¡WOW! ¡No me siento como un crédulo imbécil para nada! AME a Hugo, Kevin y Colette, al menos al principio, tres inocentes almas fenómenas, tristemente muy fácilmente manipuladas por sus malvados captores. Totalmente ODIE al malvado Domador de Leones, un personaje multifacético con motivaciones complejas, a diferencia del despreciable… ¡oh OLVIDENLO! . También ODIE a Esme, una novia amorosa que disfruta recibir regalos y arrojar personas a pozos infestados de leones. Los incendiarios Baudelaire siguen aún en fuga, tratando desesperadamente de hallar a un posible padre sobreviviente, y quemando todo a su paso.
Una emocionante secuela, especialmente después del decepcionante #8. Los autosuficientes Baudelaire todavía manteniéndose firmes, aunque sufriendo espiritualmente luego de usar varias de las tácticas de Olaf, como disfrazarse, mentir y forzadamente tomando no siempre las decisiones correctas. Sus nuevos amigos fenómenos también tomando algunas decisiones moralmente cuestionables. Me siento cada vez más atraído por la historia, la tensión aumentando, y cada libro un paso más cerca de los secretos de VDF y la conclusión final de la serie no muy lejos.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[2002] [286p] [Libro para Niños] [3.5] [Casi Recomendable] [Incendiarios Baudelaire] [Hugo, Kevin y Colette <3 <\3] [Muere Olaf MUERE!] [Muere Esme MUERE!] [Olivia la complaciente <3 <\3] [Debes vengar mi muerte Kimba]
-----------------------------------------------
After leaving Heimlich Hospital and Hal the archivist behind, the self-sustaining Baudelaire travel to Caligari Carnival; a remote location where they meet Madame Lulu, a totally legit know-it-all fortune-teller. The disguised orphans then start working in the Freak House Wagon, and they befriend hunchback Hugo, ambidextrous Kevin and Colette the contortionist. A brief respite of apprehension takes place; until a evil-natured Lion Tamer arrives at the Carnival and, against all possible odds, calamity strikes again.
Another clever ruse! VFD doesn’t mean Very Fancy Doilies, or Village of Fowl Devotees, or Volunteers Fighting Disease, the real meaning of VDF is Valley of the Four Drafts. WOW! I don’t feel like a gullible moron at all! LOVED Hugo, Kevin and Colette, at least in the beginning, three freakishly innocent souls, but sadly very easily manipulated by their evil captors. Totally HATED the evil Lion Tamer, a multi-layered character with complex motivations, unlike the despicable… oh FORGET IT! . Also HATED Esme, a loving girlfriend that enjoys receiving gifts and throwing people into lion infested pits. The Baudelaire arsonists still at large, trying desperately to find a possible surviving parent, and burning everything in their path.
A thrilling sequel, especially after the disappointing #8. The self-sustaining Baudelaire keeping it together, although suffering spiritually after using several of Olaf’s tactics, like disguising, lying and forcedly taking not always the right choice. Their freakish new friends also making some morally questionable decisions. I feel myself more and more drawn to the story, the tension ever rising, and every book a step closer to the secrets of VDF, and the final conclusion of the series not so far way.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[2002] [286p] [Children’s] [3.5] [Almost Recommendable] [Baudelaire arsonists] [Hugo, Kevin and Colette <3 <\3] [Die Olaf DIE!] [Die Esme DIE!] [Olivia the people-pleaser <3 <\3] [You must avenge my death Kimba]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. The Bad Beginning [3.5]
★★★★☆ 2. The Reptile Room [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Wide Window
★★☆☆☆ 4. The Miserable Mill [2,5]
★★★★★ 5. The Austere Academy [4.5]
★★★☆☆ 6. The Ersatz Elevator
★★★★★ 7. The Vile Village
★☆☆☆☆ 8. The Hostile Hospital
★★★☆☆ 9. The Carnivorous Carnival [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Slippery Slope [3.5]
★★★★☆ 11. The Grim Grotto
★★★☆☆ 12. The Penultimate Peril [3.5]
★★★★☆ 13. The End
★★★★☆ 14. The Complete Wreck
-----------------------------------------------
TRISTEZA Carnívora.
Después de dejar el Hospital Heimlich y a Hal el archivista atrás, los autosuficientes Baudelaire viajan al Carnaval Caligari; un remoto lugar donde conocen a Madame Lulu, una totalmente legítima sábelo todo adivina. Los huérfanos disfrazados luego empiezan a trabajar en el Vagón de los Fenómenos, y traban amistad con Hugo el jorobado, el ambidextro Kevin y Colette la contorsionista. Un breve respiro de aprensión tiene lugar; hasta que un Domador de Leones de mala naturaleza llega al Carnaval y, contra todo posible pronóstico, la calamidad golpea otra vez.
¡Otro inteligente ardid! VFD no significa Vistosas blondas para Fiestas Decorativas, o Villa de los Fieles Devotos, o Voluntarios Frente Deflagraciones, el verdadero significado de VDF es ¡Valle Cuatro Vientos! ¡WOW! ¡No me siento como un crédulo imbécil para nada! AME a Hugo, Kevin y Colette, al menos al principio, tres inocentes almas fenómenas, tristemente muy fácilmente manipuladas por sus malvados captores. Totalmente ODIE al malvado Domador de Leones, un personaje multifacético con motivaciones complejas, a diferencia del despreciable… ¡oh OLVIDENLO! . También ODIE a Esme, una novia amorosa que disfruta recibir regalos y arrojar personas a pozos infestados de leones. Los incendiarios Baudelaire siguen aún en fuga, tratando desesperadamente de hallar a un posible padre sobreviviente, y quemando todo a su paso.
Una emocionante secuela, especialmente después del decepcionante #8. Los autosuficientes Baudelaire todavía manteniéndose firmes, aunque sufriendo espiritualmente luego de usar varias de las tácticas de Olaf, como disfrazarse, mentir y forzadamente tomando no siempre las decisiones correctas. Sus nuevos amigos fenómenos también tomando algunas decisiones moralmente cuestionables. Me siento cada vez más atraído por la historia, la tensión aumentando, y cada libro un paso más cerca de los secretos de VDF y la conclusión final de la serie no muy lejos.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[2002] [286p] [Libro para Niños] [3.5] [Casi Recomendable] [Incendiarios Baudelaire] [Hugo, Kevin y Colette <3 <\3] [Muere Olaf MUERE!] [Muere Esme MUERE!] [Olivia la complaciente <3 <\3] [Debes vengar mi muerte Kimba]
-----------------------------------------------
June 9, 2018
Once again I get the chance to say (write?) the most glorious words in the English language: This is a particularly fantastic installment in the GREATEST SERIES OF ALL TIME.
In case you're new here or somehow able to ignore me doing the internet equivalent of nonstop screaming about this series: I LOVE THESE BOOKS SO MUCH.
This one is, as mentioned, particularly next-level at putting all other excuses for literature to shame. It breaks from the typical format. Our lil gang grows up. There's an exploration of moral absolutism, a questioning of whether anyone is truly good or evil, and whether evil acts can be motivated by pure intentions. There's a condemnation of normalcy, one which points out (TO A MAIN AUDIENCE OF CHILDREN MAY I REMIND YOU) that no one is normal and everyone's got something freakish about them.
Also, there are fortune-tellers and inventions and disguises and Thai food and page repetition to mock déjà vu and, as always, some of the best world-building and narration of all time.
IT'S A GREAT BOOK AND I HAVE A MIGRAINE SO I NEED TO STOP LOOKING AT A SCREEN NOW.
Bottom line: If you haven't read these books yet and don't plan to in the immediate future, clearly you don't care about me AT ALL.
In case you're new here or somehow able to ignore me doing the internet equivalent of nonstop screaming about this series: I LOVE THESE BOOKS SO MUCH.
This one is, as mentioned, particularly next-level at putting all other excuses for literature to shame. It breaks from the typical format. Our lil gang grows up. There's an exploration of moral absolutism, a questioning of whether anyone is truly good or evil, and whether evil acts can be motivated by pure intentions. There's a condemnation of normalcy, one which points out (TO A MAIN AUDIENCE OF CHILDREN MAY I REMIND YOU) that no one is normal and everyone's got something freakish about them.
Also, there are fortune-tellers and inventions and disguises and Thai food and page repetition to mock déjà vu and, as always, some of the best world-building and narration of all time.
IT'S A GREAT BOOK AND I HAVE A MIGRAINE SO I NEED TO STOP LOOKING AT A SCREEN NOW.
Bottom line: If you haven't read these books yet and don't plan to in the immediate future, clearly you don't care about me AT ALL.
September 14, 2021
Po raz trzeci: SŁONECZKO 😭
December 23, 2025
The children arrive hidden in the trunk of Count Olaf's car. A new turn of events - they know where Olaf is and it's them who are in disguise.
The good-evil, noble-villain theme expands. The children are the spies. In addition they meet and join the circus 'freaks' who they see put to the test - decent people in a hard place offered difficult choices - will they act like noble people or villains? The circus freaks are a test case, an example, perhaps an illustration of how Olaf's hench-people & perhaps Olaf himself descended by degrees into villainy.
We are tantalized with more mysteries and more possible solutions - we discover the secret that has allowed Olaf to find the children time and again...
And at the end the children face danger and hard choices themselves.
Continues with the familiar humour, word games etc. Also, Sunny continues to grow, expands her vocabulary, and starts to show an interest in cooking - which becomes her 'thing' in later books.
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...
The good-evil, noble-villain theme expands. The children are the spies. In addition they meet and join the circus 'freaks' who they see put to the test - decent people in a hard place offered difficult choices - will they act like noble people or villains? The circus freaks are a test case, an example, perhaps an illustration of how Olaf's hench-people & perhaps Olaf himself descended by degrees into villainy.
We are tantalized with more mysteries and more possible solutions - we discover the secret that has allowed Olaf to find the children time and again...
And at the end the children face danger and hard choices themselves.
Continues with the familiar humour, word games etc. Also, Sunny continues to grow, expands her vocabulary, and starts to show an interest in cooking - which becomes her 'thing' in later books.
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
...
September 7, 2019
In this installment, the Baudelaires arrive at Caligari Carnival after hitching a ride in Count Olaf’s trunk. Their plan, as usual, is to seek safety from Count Olaf, but they soon discover that there’s nowhere to go, and Count Olaf will be in the vicinity for some time to come. They take a huge chance by disguising themselves as freaks in order to participate in Caligari Carnival’s freak show (Violet and Clause as a two-headed freak, and Sunny as Chabo the Wolf Baby), which lands them working right alongside Count Olaf.
Now that the Baudelaires are in close quarters with Count Olaf and his troupe, they discover more interesting clues about V.F.D. and other more shocking facts regarding their parents. Will the childrens’ stealthy behavior pay off? Will they ever discover what happened to their parents?
“One of the most troublesome things in life is that what you do or do not want has very little to do with what does or does not happen.”
This one had us on edge! The children are incredibly close to danger once again, working up close with Count Olaf and his nasty accomplices. This added a lot of suspense. There were slow parts, but it didn’t take long to pick up, and we found ourselves racing to discover what would happen with the children this time around.
“Fate is like a strange, unpopular restaurant, filled with odd waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don’t always like.”
We appreciated the new characters in this installment. Madame Lulu is an interesting new character that ties in with a few of the other books. She’s willing to help the Baudelaires, which is rare and often ends disastrously.
Comparable to the other books, there are many new vocabulary words introduced for children to learn in this installment including: haughtily, depict, contortionist, eavesdropping, ambidextrous, and dilemma to name a few.
The ending had us quite shocked, and like last time, we had to move right on to the next book. Overall, we really enjoyed this one.
4****
Now that the Baudelaires are in close quarters with Count Olaf and his troupe, they discover more interesting clues about V.F.D. and other more shocking facts regarding their parents. Will the childrens’ stealthy behavior pay off? Will they ever discover what happened to their parents?
“One of the most troublesome things in life is that what you do or do not want has very little to do with what does or does not happen.”
This one had us on edge! The children are incredibly close to danger once again, working up close with Count Olaf and his nasty accomplices. This added a lot of suspense. There were slow parts, but it didn’t take long to pick up, and we found ourselves racing to discover what would happen with the children this time around.
“Fate is like a strange, unpopular restaurant, filled with odd waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don’t always like.”
We appreciated the new characters in this installment. Madame Lulu is an interesting new character that ties in with a few of the other books. She’s willing to help the Baudelaires, which is rare and often ends disastrously.
Comparable to the other books, there are many new vocabulary words introduced for children to learn in this installment including: haughtily, depict, contortionist, eavesdropping, ambidextrous, and dilemma to name a few.
The ending had us quite shocked, and like last time, we had to move right on to the next book. Overall, we really enjoyed this one.
4****
November 13, 2007
My daughter and I adored the entire series, but this episode is my favorite. It contains perhaps the funniest of Lemony Snicket's etymological digressions. It marks the point where the larger story begins to evolve, where the traumatized young Baudelaire orphans first turn the tables on their arch-nemesis, Count Olaf. And it's also a point where both the orphans and the story mature, evolving from a good-vs-evil fairy tale of morbid victimhood into a subtle study of moral complexity.
It's a pity that so many people who begin this series give up after three or four volumes. But if you make it through The Carniverous Carnival, you won't want to stop.
It's a pity that so many people who begin this series give up after three or four volumes. But if you make it through The Carniverous Carnival, you won't want to stop.
August 16, 2022
The Baudelaire are now carnival freaks. They hop into count Olaf trunk and become part of his VFD gang. Hugo, Colleen, and Kevin who are a hunchback, contortionist, and anbidexouis fiend are the real heros. Count Olaf, Esme, and his crew. Madame Lulu is Olaf's inside source. This is a very good book top 3 unfortunately events!
April 29, 2016
I loved the carnival theme this book had going, I was excited that Klaus, Violet, and Sunny dressed up in disguises to fuck up Count Olaf's shit, the mystery of V.F.D is still unsolved, one of their parents might be alive and those poor lions oh my gahhhh...
But...
HOLY MADAME LULU!
THAT ENDING.
THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT ENDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!
I WAS JUMPING ALL OVER MY BED AND SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF ONE OF MY DOGS!
This was me after reading that ending:
I'M READY FOR BOOK 10!
- Richard
But...
HOLY MADAME LULU!
THAT ENDING.
THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT ENDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!
I WAS JUMPING ALL OVER MY BED AND SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF ONE OF MY DOGS!
This was me after reading that ending:
I'M READY FOR BOOK 10!
- Richard
July 31, 2022
This book was significantly better than the last!
It didn’t feel repetitive and while more questions were being asked, I felt we finally received some answers.
In regards to the audiobook, there was a new Lemony Snicket (Tim Curry still read the actual story part).
Curry’s voices were SO good! He’s well and truly differentiating each character now.
It didn’t feel repetitive and while more questions were being asked, I felt we finally received some answers.
In regards to the audiobook, there was a new Lemony Snicket (Tim Curry still read the actual story part).
Curry’s voices were SO good! He’s well and truly differentiating each character now.
August 28, 2019
“...The answer to nearly every question is written down someplace. It just might take a while to find.”
In their ninth misadventure, for once, the Baudelaire orphans and not the horrible count Olaf are the in incognito ones, disguising themselves among the "freaks" of a Carnival. And, for once, it's count Olaf who's going to be the victim of their clever plan... or maybe not?
I can't believe I am already almost done with this series! It really is been quite a ride! This book was different than the others and so gave a little "shake" to the usual development of the plot (the orphans get adopted by an actually nice person, count Olaf appears in one of his many disguises, but and the adults don't believe the children's warnings, they end up killed and the orphans are orphanized again), so I liked it even more! And the main plot going on throughout the series is slowly being relieved... I can't wait for all the pieces of the puzzle to fall back together!!!
In their ninth misadventure, for once, the Baudelaire orphans and not the horrible count Olaf are the in incognito ones, disguising themselves among the "freaks" of a Carnival. And, for once, it's count Olaf who's going to be the victim of their clever plan... or maybe not?
I can't believe I am already almost done with this series! It really is been quite a ride! This book was different than the others and so gave a little "shake" to the usual development of the plot (the orphans get adopted by an actually nice person, count Olaf appears in one of his many disguises, but and the adults don't believe the children's warnings, they end up killed and the orphans are orphanized again), so I liked it even more! And the main plot going on throughout the series is slowly being relieved... I can't wait for all the pieces of the puzzle to fall back together!!!
April 24, 2017
I liked this book a lot more that I thought although everytime I am close to finding out everything it just slips form my fingertips and I have to wait for the next book.
January 3, 2018
Such an intriguing addition to the story, the carnival vibes were cool!
January 4, 2018
De los que menos me ha gustado de la saga, pero tan guay y siniestro como siempre. No esperaba menos. ♡
February 7, 2017
JANUARY 2017 RE-READ
Bumping this up from 4 stars to 5. I last read this when it first came out in 2002! So that was FIFTEEN YEARS AGO. God I feel old. For some reason I had it in my head that I didn't enjoy this one as much as others in the series, but I was clearly mistaken because this is a great instalment. I like how books 2-7 involve Count Olaf in disguises trying to fool the Baudelaires, and books 8 and 9 involve the Baudelaires in disguises trying to fool Count Olaf. Madame Lulu is a cool character, FINALLY the children are learning even more about V.F.D., the carnival setting is fun...just so many great things happening here. Shout out to one of the freak show performers: Kevin the ambidextrous man! Also some great and not-so-subtle messages about prejudice. I just love Daniel Handler's writing style, and his decision to create a pen-name who is also a character. Bravo.
Bumping this up from 4 stars to 5. I last read this when it first came out in 2002! So that was FIFTEEN YEARS AGO. God I feel old. For some reason I had it in my head that I didn't enjoy this one as much as others in the series, but I was clearly mistaken because this is a great instalment. I like how books 2-7 involve Count Olaf in disguises trying to fool the Baudelaires, and books 8 and 9 involve the Baudelaires in disguises trying to fool Count Olaf. Madame Lulu is a cool character, FINALLY the children are learning even more about V.F.D., the carnival setting is fun...just so many great things happening here. Shout out to one of the freak show performers: Kevin the ambidextrous man! Also some great and not-so-subtle messages about prejudice. I just love Daniel Handler's writing style, and his decision to create a pen-name who is also a character. Bravo.
December 13, 2020
4.75 Golden Stars
one of my favourites in the series
RTC
the wheel turns, this time, if the Baudelaires wants to find some information & get away, they have to hide in front of the villains' eyes.
I do like stories about circus & carnivals, but this one is dangerous.
one of my favourites in the series
RTC
the wheel turns, this time, if the Baudelaires wants to find some information & get away, they have to hide in front of the villains' eyes.
I do like stories about circus & carnivals, but this one is dangerous.
June 3, 2025
سانی👶🏼🦷🩷>>>>>>>>>>>>
February 2, 2020
I think this might be my favourite A Series of Unfortunate Events book yet!
February 6, 2017
3.75* Similarly to book eight, this wasn't the most memorable in the series but I absolutely loved the intensity of the ending! I thought the kids starting to question and doubt themselves and their actions was really interesting too! This was a slightly drearier book in tone than the others, but it worked in connection to the Baudelaire's reclining and undoubtably exhausting situation! I can feel the ending getting closer and I'm looking forward to finally (hopefully) getting some answers soon!!
May 15, 2020
تو جلد ۹ دیگه یه کم روندش برام حوصلهسربر شده از بس اتفاق جدیدی نمیافته.
October 24, 2020
There are almost as many kinds of libraries as there are kinds of readers.
It feels like i'm heading into that home stretch with the Baudelaire children and i know there isn't many books left in this series but i cannot wait to finally learn what they've been trying to find out for a few books now.
Book nine sees the Baudelaire children heading towards a carnival after hiding out in the trunk of count Olaf's car as they had no other option at the end of book eight. I can't believe that count Olaf or any of his workers did not think to check the trunk at any point of their journey and i consider the children very lucky that they didn't
This whole V.F.D business is really starting to get to me because i need to know what it means and every chance the kids get to finding out they are either interrupted or don't get a chance to find out anything. However we have some developments with them finding a symbol and learning that some members of the V.F.D. are currently at the carnival.
But the sad truth is that the truth is sad, and that what you want does not matter. A series of unfortunate events can happen to anyone, no matter what they want
Ok i need to know what Mr. Poe is doing because isn't he the one that's supposed to be looking after these children and is supposed to know where they are at every given moment. I'm sorry to say i believe hes let these children down because there has been no evidence to suggest that he's even remotely looking for them so there completely on their own at this point.
There were some major plot developments in this one finally and i can't wait to find out more in the coming books to hopefully finally see these kids have somewhat of an ending to their unfortunate story because i think these kids really do need something at the end of this.
It feels like i'm heading into that home stretch with the Baudelaire children and i know there isn't many books left in this series but i cannot wait to finally learn what they've been trying to find out for a few books now.
Book nine sees the Baudelaire children heading towards a carnival after hiding out in the trunk of count Olaf's car as they had no other option at the end of book eight. I can't believe that count Olaf or any of his workers did not think to check the trunk at any point of their journey and i consider the children very lucky that they didn't
This whole V.F.D business is really starting to get to me because i need to know what it means and every chance the kids get to finding out they are either interrupted or don't get a chance to find out anything. However we have some developments with them finding a symbol and learning that some members of the V.F.D. are currently at the carnival.
But the sad truth is that the truth is sad, and that what you want does not matter. A series of unfortunate events can happen to anyone, no matter what they want
Ok i need to know what Mr. Poe is doing because isn't he the one that's supposed to be looking after these children and is supposed to know where they are at every given moment. I'm sorry to say i believe hes let these children down because there has been no evidence to suggest that he's even remotely looking for them so there completely on their own at this point.
There were some major plot developments in this one finally and i can't wait to find out more in the coming books to hopefully finally see these kids have somewhat of an ending to their unfortunate story because i think these kids really do need something at the end of this.
November 7, 2016
Just dipping into this series to find out what it is all about. Maybe I should have tried book 1 first but
I happened on this one by accident.
I think if I had read this when I was a child I would have loved it. Despite all the terrible things that
happen to the Baudelaires there is always a feeling that they will find a way out and since I hated
suspense back then this would have suited me down to the ground.
As an adult I enjoyed the dryness of the narrative, the slightly snarky comments and expressions
which are certainly intended for the grown up readers, not the children. (Not too sure though about
some of the content especially the treatment of "the freaks.")
Altogether I can certainly see why the series has so many followers although I do not feel the
immediate need to rush out and read any more myself.
I happened on this one by accident.
I think if I had read this when I was a child I would have loved it. Despite all the terrible things that
happen to the Baudelaires there is always a feeling that they will find a way out and since I hated
suspense back then this would have suited me down to the ground.
As an adult I enjoyed the dryness of the narrative, the slightly snarky comments and expressions
which are certainly intended for the grown up readers, not the children. (Not too sure though about
some of the content especially the treatment of "the freaks.")
Altogether I can certainly see why the series has so many followers although I do not feel the
immediate need to rush out and read any more myself.
February 7, 2017
“I don't care who falls in!” announced the pimpled man. "To me, a woman in a turban is just as freaky as a two headed person. I'm not prejudiced!”
November 16, 2017
😱😱😱 Oh no! A literal cliffhanger! Don't worry, Sunny! I'll rescue you!
Onward Swifty, to Book the Tenth!
Onward Swifty, to Book the Tenth!
June 25, 2015
Snicket engages in some serious moral wrangling in this volume, and forces the reader to do the same. At a crucial moment, the Baudelaire orphans meet a woman who wants to be a good, strong person -- but because her motto is "give people what they want," she can always be manipulated by villains, and always tells herself that she must be a good person, because isn't giving people what they want a good thing to do? The simple answer, "Not if they want bad things!" never seems to occur to her.
It occurs to the Baudelaires, of course. Partly because they're nobler than she is. Partly because they desperately need her help. In the course of trying to persuade her to give them what they need, they're forced to admit that in spite of their best intentions, they seem to be sliding down a slippery moral slope:
"Haven't you ever found yourself doing something you never thought you'd do?"
"I guess so," Klaus said, and turned to his sisters. "Remember when we stole those keys from Hal, at the Library of Records? I never thought I'd be a thief."
"Flynn," Sunny said, which meant something like, "And I never thought I would become a violent person, but I engaged in a sword fight with Dr. Orwell."
"We've all done things we never thought we'd do," Violet said, "but we always had a good reason."
"Everybody thinks they have a good reason," Olivia said.
Ouch.
This is the first book in the Series of Unfortunate Events to end on a really suspenseful cliffhanger. I'm glad I wasn't an early adopter with these books. I would have hated to have to wait a whole year to see what happened next.
It occurs to the Baudelaires, of course. Partly because they're nobler than she is. Partly because they desperately need her help. In the course of trying to persuade her to give them what they need, they're forced to admit that in spite of their best intentions, they seem to be sliding down a slippery moral slope:
"Haven't you ever found yourself doing something you never thought you'd do?"
"I guess so," Klaus said, and turned to his sisters. "Remember when we stole those keys from Hal, at the Library of Records? I never thought I'd be a thief."
"Flynn," Sunny said, which meant something like, "And I never thought I would become a violent person, but I engaged in a sword fight with Dr. Orwell."
"We've all done things we never thought we'd do," Violet said, "but we always had a good reason."
"Everybody thinks they have a good reason," Olivia said.
Ouch.
This is the first book in the Series of Unfortunate Events to end on a really suspenseful cliffhanger. I'm glad I wasn't an early adopter with these books. I would have hated to have to wait a whole year to see what happened next.
January 20, 2023
This is the ninth instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
The circus has arrived! The Baudelaire siblings disguise themselves to gain entry and face off against the evil Count Olaf, attempting to use his own ruses against him.
This book felt like it differed from many of the previous series instalments, which followed a similar pattern in plot, and brought together many previous enemies into one fun setting. I found the clever prose to be as hilarious and enjoyable and this remained my favourite aspect about this novel, despite also loving the journey this took the siblings on and how new mysteries, concerning their circumstances, were also exposed.
I did worry that this book would perpetuate harmful stereotypes, with the early assignment of the word 'freak' to many of the circus performers, but soon found this not to be the case. It was only the evil characters who treated the performers with disdain and, I believe, the young target audience would not align their thoughts with these characters.
The circus has arrived! The Baudelaire siblings disguise themselves to gain entry and face off against the evil Count Olaf, attempting to use his own ruses against him.
This book felt like it differed from many of the previous series instalments, which followed a similar pattern in plot, and brought together many previous enemies into one fun setting. I found the clever prose to be as hilarious and enjoyable and this remained my favourite aspect about this novel, despite also loving the journey this took the siblings on and how new mysteries, concerning their circumstances, were also exposed.
I did worry that this book would perpetuate harmful stereotypes, with the early assignment of the word 'freak' to many of the circus performers, but soon found this not to be the case. It was only the evil characters who treated the performers with disdain and, I believe, the young target audience would not align their thoughts with these characters.
June 29, 2017
A brilliant little book from the series. Quite different than the previous books, as the kids go on their own adventure other than following a guardian.
September 5, 2022
Let's take a moment to acknowledge how special this series is. Even with what seems like a very formula-driven series, it has somehow managed to capture and keep the readers interested up to this point. The author successfully tweaks things enough each time to keep it fresh. The current trend is being in disguise right under Count Olaf's nose.
Book 9 was a big step up from the previous entry. The children are back to their innocent mindsets even while staying focused on the task at hand. There is plenty of VFD shenanigans. I suspect the real meaning of VFD won't be revealed until the final installment. A ton of new "freaks" are introduced here in the usual hilarity we are so used to.
With a cliffhanger ending it's almost impossible to not want to read the next one right away.
Book 9 was a big step up from the previous entry. The children are back to their innocent mindsets even while staying focused on the task at hand. There is plenty of VFD shenanigans. I suspect the real meaning of VFD won't be revealed until the final installment. A ton of new "freaks" are introduced here in the usual hilarity we are so used to.
With a cliffhanger ending it's almost impossible to not want to read the next one right away.
February 6, 2017
3 Stars.
My binge read of this series continues. If you've been following my reviews, you may notice that the ratings have been dropping, mainly because I feel that the story is becoming a little too repetitive and that there would be some really simple solutions to the children's problems. I don't want to spoil anything, but at the start, Violet, Klaus and Sunny are near Olaf's unattended car and instead of thinking "Let's use Violet's mechanical skills to hot-wire this car and Klaus' knowledge of all things to drive our way to freedom, hurrah!" Instead they head TOWARDS the villains, then stuff got weird, and at the end, it was obvious that Olaf knew (I won't say what, because spoilers) but then the children just... go with it? Even when I thought that they knew that he knew. Strange. At times, it just feels like the characters are being pushed into a predestined plot even though they've evolved beyond it, so it feels stiff and wrong.
I'm still finishing this series, but my hopes are going down that there will ever be satisfactory answers and the plots aren't as intriguing and fascinating as the earlier books. Well, next is book 10.
My binge read of this series continues. If you've been following my reviews, you may notice that the ratings have been dropping, mainly because I feel that the story is becoming a little too repetitive and that there would be some really simple solutions to the children's problems. I don't want to spoil anything, but at the start, Violet, Klaus and Sunny are near Olaf's unattended car and instead of thinking "Let's use Violet's mechanical skills to hot-wire this car and Klaus' knowledge of all things to drive our way to freedom, hurrah!" Instead they head TOWARDS the villains, then stuff got weird, and at the end, it was obvious that Olaf knew (I won't say what, because spoilers) but then the children just... go with it? Even when I thought that they knew that he knew. Strange. At times, it just feels like the characters are being pushed into a predestined plot even though they've evolved beyond it, so it feels stiff and wrong.
I'm still finishing this series, but my hopes are going down that there will ever be satisfactory answers and the plots aren't as intriguing and fascinating as the earlier books. Well, next is book 10.
September 16, 2017
Isso tá ficando MUITO sinistro, gente! Só nesse livro percebi que essa série já teve mais morte do que muitas outras adultas que eu li 😅 Eu já tô me coçando pra saber as respostas dos mistérios!
February 21, 2019
۴.۵
شاید نفسگیرترین کتاب بچههای بدشانس تا به اینجای کار! خوندن این کتاب برام خیلی سخت بود. بودلرها از کتاب قبل برای فرار از مخمصه تو ماشین اولاف قایم شدن و این یکی از عجیبترین تصمیمهاشون بود. بعد ماشین در جایی توقف میکنه که از قضا یه سیرکه. سیرکها از کودکی برای من هولناک بودهن. چون نمیتونم درک کنم که چرا تعدادی انسان که میتونن زندگی طبیعی و با عزتی داشتهباشن تن به تحقیر میدن. برای همین پیش بردن کتاب برام خیلی سخت بود.
توی این کتاب سوالهای خیلی جدی و کانسپتهای بزرگی وارد ماجرا میشن. بچهها به جای اولاف تغییر قیافه دادهن و به میل خودشون کنار اولاف و سیرک موندهن. مدام از خودشون میپرسن که نکنه اونها هم خلافکارن و در تمیز دادن خودشون از یک عجیبالخلقه مشکل دارن و گویا هویتشون دچار تزلزل شده.
از طرفی، کاراکتر مادام لولو خیلی غمگین و حیرتآور بود! دقیقا و دقیقا انگار آیندهی بودلرها اگر نتونن از این مخمصهها رها بشن. نوعی گمشدگی و سراسیمگی به دلیل فراموشی اصل و هویت. هیچچیز زندگی مادام لولوی واقعی یا اولیویا دیده نشد، حتی مرگ سریع و دردناکش. در آخر هم با کمال شگفتگی، راز بودلرها رو لو دادهبود.
در نهایت هم اضافه کنم که بودلرها برای رسیدن به هدفشون که از قضا منطقی هم بود، دست به جنایت بزرگی زدن و با اولاف همراهی کردن. جنایتی که موجب مرگ و نابودی شد. نکنه الاف هم در تمام این مدت مجبور بوده؟ فعلا نمیدونم.
شاید نفسگیرترین کتاب بچههای بدشانس تا به اینجای کار! خوندن این کتاب برام خیلی سخت بود. بودلرها از کتاب قبل برای فرار از مخمصه تو ماشین اولاف قایم شدن و این یکی از عجیبترین تصمیمهاشون بود. بعد ماشین در جایی توقف میکنه که از قضا یه سیرکه. سیرکها از کودکی برای من هولناک بودهن. چون نمیتونم درک کنم که چرا تعدادی انسان که میتونن زندگی طبیعی و با عزتی داشتهباشن تن به تحقیر میدن. برای همین پیش بردن کتاب برام خیلی سخت بود.
توی این کتاب سوالهای خیلی جدی و کانسپتهای بزرگی وارد ماجرا میشن. بچهها به جای اولاف تغییر قیافه دادهن و به میل خودشون کنار اولاف و سیرک موندهن. مدام از خودشون میپرسن که نکنه اونها هم خلافکارن و در تمیز دادن خودشون از یک عجیبالخلقه مشکل دارن و گویا هویتشون دچار تزلزل شده.
از طرفی، کاراکتر مادام لولو خیلی غمگین و حیرتآور بود! دقیقا و دقیقا انگار آیندهی بودلرها اگر نتونن از این مخمصهها رها بشن. نوعی گمشدگی و سراسیمگی به دلیل فراموشی اصل و هویت. هیچچیز زندگی مادام لولوی واقعی یا اولیویا دیده نشد، حتی مرگ سریع و دردناکش. در آخر هم با کمال شگفتگی، راز بودلرها رو لو دادهبود.
در نهایت هم اضافه کنم که بودلرها برای رسیدن به هدفشون که از قضا منطقی هم بود، دست به جنایت بزرگی زدن و با اولاف همراهی کردن. جنایتی که موجب مرگ و نابودی شد. نکنه الاف هم در تمام این مدت مجبور بوده؟ فعلا نمیدونم.
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