(3.5 / 5)

Review for audiobook version:
The three Baudelaire orphans have been set up with a new guardian, Uncle Monty. He's interesting, fun, and kind, and the kids are looking forward to going to Peru with him to study reptiles. But oh, this is a Lemony Snicket book, so we're informed up front that their happiness won't last. And indeed, it doesn't.

I suppose I liked this book a little more than the previous. Even though I knew from early on that Uncle Monty wouldn't signal the beginning of a happy life, I was still glad for the kids that they got a little bit of time with him. I think Count Olaf's attempt at getting at their money was a lot more half-baked this time, but on the other hand, the way the kids got out of his snare was a little more clever this time. I did enjoy the "friendship" between Sunny and the Incredibly Deadly Viper, and even thought it was pretty great that she spoke her first real word, and that that word was "brilliant."

But just like with the previous book, the highlight of the whole thing, for me, was that it was read by Tim Curry. Half a star of my rating is based on that, because that's how much I love listening to his voice. We'll see how it goes from here on. ( )

In questo secondo volume della serie, ho avuto modo di apprezzare il modo in cui Lemony Snicket delinea la difficoltà di incontro tra due mondi: quello dei bambini e quello degli adulti.

Quell'affermazione che si sente tanto spesso, “non bisogna dimenticarsi di esser stati bambini”, non è poi così banale. Soprattutto se i bambini si accorgono di qualcosa che noi siamo troppo distratti per notare.

Il signor Poe non è cattivo, ma è così pieno di buone intenzioni da non accorgersi in quale direzione dovrebbe indirizzare i suoi sforzi (una sorta di donna Prassede in pantaloni). I tre orfani Baudelaire, invece, si accorgono subito che il Conte Olaf è riuscito a entrare di nuovo nelle loro vite: i bambini hanno una chiara e netta differenza tra Bene e Male.

Violet, Klaus e Sunny avranno dunque un bel daffare per convincere gli adulti del travestimento del Conte Olaf e dovranno trovare delle prove per essere creduti: per fortuna, sono tutti e tre ben determinati e pieni di risorse! ( )

Another fabulous addition to one of my favourite childhood series!

I read these way back in the day (you know, when Jim Carrey was Count Olaf) but I figured as an adult I should pick this series up again for the fun of it! And, oh boy, am I not disappointed! While I am not the target audience, I still get a big kick from these books and have a good laugh too! If I ever have a kid, these books are a MUST READ because they are hilarious and awfully cruel all at the same time. No wonder I have such a brutal, sarcastic sense of humour - I grew up on these books!

This book didn't strike me like the first one, but it's just as good, goofy and entertaining. I love Montegomery Montegomery and it's a real shame we didn't get more time in the book with him. He was so kooky and crazy that I wanted just a few more chapters before he meets his match. We all knew that this series wasn't going to end happily in this book (look at the title, folks) but I wanted to cherish the hilarious scenarios for a little bit longer before Count Olaf/Stephano arrives on the scene.

I do wonder why the banker is in charge of the children. They have SO many relatives and a random banker gets to take care of them. Not even a lawyer... wouldn't a lawyer make more sense? It's child logic though, so I'm not going to let that ruin the story for me.

One big positive for this book is that the characters seem to grow. We see our Baudelaire children in a happy, family friendly setting and feel comforted. They get along, feel like they have a Father figure and want to go on adventures. Seeing another side of them was a real treat and I just know that these guys will continue to evolve ('cause... you know... I already read the series). I also really enjoy all of the terminology and slang that is explained in this book. I kept chuckling along the way as the reader was introduced to amusing sayings that have been plastered in literature for years.

Overall, this series is absolutely charming. I still love them to this day and I will see it through to the end! I have the next two books sitting on my shelf and it will be a challenge to find the rest...

Until next time, Count Olaf...

P.S. I still imagine Jim Carrey as Count Olaf. I do love me some Neil Patrick Harris, but Jim Carrey was my childhood Olaf.

Four out of five stars. ( )

Mr. Poe is really thick! Also these poor kids. I'm still enjoying these books ( )

The unfortunate and exciting tale of the Baudelaire children continues. They find great happiness with their Uncle Monty until the return of an old nemesis. ( )