The Bad Beginning facts for kids
US Cover of The Bad Beginning
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| Author | Lemony Snicket (pen name of Daniel Handler) |
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| Illustrator | Brett Helquist |
| Cover artist | Brett Helquist |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | A Series of Unfortunate Events |
| Genre | Gothic fiction Absurdist fiction Mystery |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
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Publication date
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September 30, 1999 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 162 |
| ISBN | 0-06-440766-7 |
| OCLC | 41070636 |
| Fic 21 | |
| LC Class | PZ7.S6795 Bad 1999 |
| Followed by | The Reptile Room |
The Bad Beginning is the first book in the popular children's series A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. This exciting novel introduces us to three siblings: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. Their lives take a sad turn when they become orphans after a terrible fire. They are then sent to live with a distant relative, Count Olaf, who is only interested in stealing their large family fortune.
The book was first released on September 30, 1999, by Scholastic Inc. Brett Helquist created the illustrations. Later, an audiobook was made in 2003. Many special versions of the book have been published, and it has been translated into many different languages around the world.
Contents
Story of the Baudelaires
Violet Baudelaire is fourteen years old and loves to invent things. Klaus Baudelaire is twelve and enjoys reading everything he can find. Sunny Baudelaire is a baby with surprisingly strong and sharp teeth.
One day, while the children are at Briny Beach, a family friend named Mr. Poe tells them terrible news. Their parents have died in a fire that also destroyed their home. The children are then placed with Count Olaf. He is said to be a distant relative, but the children had never heard of him before.
Count Olaf's house is messy and covered with strange eye symbols. It has a tall tower that the Baudelaire children are not allowed to enter. Count Olaf is mean and gets angry easily. He makes the children do awful chores. It quickly becomes clear that Count Olaf is planning to get their family fortune.
Olaf's Cruel Plan
One evening, the Baudelaires are told to cook dinner for Olaf and his acting group. They make a pasta dish, but when Olaf arrives, he demands roast beef. The children remind him that he never asked for roast beef. Olaf becomes furious and treats the children harshly.
Olaf then forces the children to be in his new play. In the play, Violet is supposed to marry Olaf. The children feel that something is wrong. They use the library of their kind neighbor, Justice Strauss, to learn about law. Klaus discovers that the marriage in the play will be legally real. This means Olaf would gain control of their fortune.
Klaus confronts Olaf, who then threatens Sunny. One of Olaf's helpers puts Sunny in a birdcage, hanging it outside the tower window. Olaf threatens to harm Sunny if Klaus and Violet do not follow his plan. Violet quickly builds a makeshift grappling hook. She uses it to climb the tower. However, Olaf's hook-handed helper is waiting to catch her. Klaus is also brought to the tower. They are locked in the room until the play begins.
The Play and Escape
During the play, Violet signs the marriage document. Olaf then stops the show to tell everyone that their wedding is legally binding. Justice Strauss and Mr. Poe are shocked. They agree that the law seems to require them to give the Baudelaire fortune to Olaf.
But Violet speaks up! She announces that the marriage is not legal. She explains that she signed the document with her left hand, even though she is right-handed. Justice Strauss agrees that this makes the marriage invalid. Before Olaf can be arrested for threatening Sunny, one of his helpers turns off the lights in the theater. Count Olaf manages to escape.
Justice Strauss offers to adopt the Baudelaire children. However, Mr. Poe says that this would go against their parents' wishes, as Justice Strauss is not a relative. He takes them back to his house until he can find a new guardian for them.
Different Versions of the Book
Over the years, a few special versions of The Bad Beginning have been released.
- The Bad Beginning: Rare Edition was published in 2003. It came with a new cover and extra illustrations. It also had a special chapter with notes from the author.
- The Bad Beginning; or, Orphans! was a paperback version released in 2007. It looked like an old-fashioned storybook and included new pictures and a comic.
- Other special editions were published by Egmont Publishing in 2003. These had larger pages and new color artwork. Some were even signed by the author, Daniel Handler.
Audiobook Versions
Two audiobook versions of this novel have been released.
- The first audiobook came out in September 2003. It was read by Tim Curry. Daniel Handler, writing as Lemony Snicket, also read a part. This version won an award for being "fabulously funny."
- The second audiobook was released in October 2004, after the movie came out. This version had many voices, including Tim Curry, Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, and Jude Law. It also included sound effects and music. This edition was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005.
Book to Screen
The Bad Beginning has been adapted for both television and film.
- Television: The story was used for the first two episodes of the first season of the Netflix TV series.
- Film: Parts of The Bad Beginning were included in the 2004 movie, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. This film also featured elements from the next two books in the series.
Translations
The Bad Beginning has been translated into many different languages, allowing children all over the world to read the Baudelaire orphans' first unfortunate adventure.
See also
In Spanish: Un mal principio para niños
