About the Author

Lemony Snicket is often despondent, mostly about his published research, which includes A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Composer Is Dead.

Due to the world-wide web of conspiracy which surrounds him, Mr. Snicket often communicates with the general public through his representative, Daniel Handler. Mr. Handler has had a relatively uneventful life, and is the author of three books for adults, The Basic Eight, Watch Your Mouth, and Adverbs, none of which are anywhere near as dreadful as Mr. Snicket's.

Reviews

Gr 5-8-Lemony Snicket has outdone himself in tantalizing foulness in this ninth offering in the series (HarperCollins, 2002), narrated by Tim Curry. In their quest to discover if one of their parents has survived a tragic fire, the Baudelaire orphans are driven literally (hidden in the trunk of a car) and figuratively to the hinterlands, a barren landscape, where only the Caligari Carnival exists. Unable to hide in these surroundings from their archenemy, Count Olaf, who covets their fortune, Violet and Klaus disguise themselves as the Two Headed Person, and tiny Sunny is transformed into Chabo the Wolf Baby, to apply for jobs at the Carnival. They are hired by the owner, Olaf's former girlfriend, for the House of Freaks. The siblings try to uncover the answers to their questions while living with Colette, a contortionist, Hugo, a hunchback, and Kevin, who is convinced that being ambidextrous is freakish. Of course, things don't go well for the children, and they are almost thrown to underfed, vicious lions. Tim Curry's narration is extremely creative. Listeners will especially appreciate Count Olaf's fiendishly evil voice, Madame Lulu's fake Hungarian accent, and the Count's present girlfriend's trendy drawl. This audiobook will be a favorite with middle school fans of Lemony Snicket, and a good choice for school and public libraries.-Carol Y. Barker, Wheelerville School, Caroga Lake, NY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.