The Carnivorous Carnival

4:

Well honestly, I'm squeamish about stories where people get eaten by animals but when I think about this installment, all I feel is despair at the thought of those poor little lions and what ended up happening to them. They were hungryyy :(

My other thought on this book is that I detested Kevin with the intensity of a thousand suns, and he is the worst character in the whole series. He brings NOTHING to the table and has a victim complex. Flop!

Oh, no!
Still holding :-)

This was a short entry in the final half of this series, which followed on from a disappointing book. Like the previous story, I did not enjoy this book.

I did enjoy the plot relevant reveals, and can't wait to get to the next book which I hope will surprise me.

De Baudelaires komen toe in Caligari Carnival, waar onder meer drie freaks “optreden”: Hugo met een bochel, Kevin die ambedixter is, en Colette de contortionist. De kinderen verkleden zich als een siamese tweeling (Klaus en Violet) en als Chabo the Wolf Baby (Sunny). Ze komen Madame Lulu tegen, een waarzegster die eigenlijk waarzegt op basis van een schat aan knipsels en artikels en informatie. Count Olaf besluit dat een freak aan de leeuwen zel gevoederd worden. Hugo, Kevin en Colette besluiten (na wat prompting van Esmée) aan de kant van Olaf te staan, ondertussen ontdekken de kinderen dat er misschien een overlevende ouder in de Mortmain Mountains zit, shenanigans, het circus brandt af en de enige manier voor de Baudelaires om naar de Mortmain Mountains te raken, is meerijden met Olaf, in een caravan achter zijn auto. En dan neemt Olaf Sunny mee, laat Klaus en Violet in de caravan, en snijdt het touw tussen de auto en caravan door, op een steile bergweg.

Isn't it nice when you stick with something for some time and it pays off? The ninth book in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Carnivorous Carnival, is by far the first really good book in the series. Like the other Unfortunate books, the formula in this one is largely the same, but it all gels so much better. Add in some really hilarious new characters and great scenes and you've got a solid children's book.

Carnivorous Carnival excels for three reasons. First, the story is paced well and is logical (in a non-logical world). Sure, none of this series really makes any sense, but within this universe, this book is the most clear. Second, unlike some of the other books, the main characters all really fit into their roles. Violet and Klaus as Beverly and Elliot, respectively, with their voice changes and all. Sunny as Chabo (“Grrrr”). The Hook-Handed Man as The Hook-Handed Man. Plus, the audience, who played into the carnival so well. Third, the introduction of three new characters (who appear to be staying a little longer), especially Kevin, the ambidextrous freak. I hope to find that Snicket was able to keep them in the series for as long as they were relevant and entertaining.

I'm pushing hard on getting through this series now, because I have hopes of reading something different to the kids by Christmas. If the remaining four books are as good as this one, I shouldn't have difficultly getting it done.

A Series of Unfortunate Events:
The Bad Beginning – 3.1
The Reptile Room – 3.2
The Wide Window – 3.6
The Miserable Mill - 3.3
The Austere Academy - 3.4
The Ersatz Elevator - 3.3
The Vile Village - 3.1
The Hostile Hospital - 3.4
The Carnivorous Carnival - 3.9

4.5 stars

I am sad :(

Again, I just wanted to pick one from the series for the ALL TIME FAVORITE list. They are all awesome, though. I love the entire series' use of humor and bizarre media criticism. Teach the kids to distrust authority early-on! Plus I love Kevin the Ambidextrous freak.