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swimfast724's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is one of my favorites of the 13 book series. I think this is actually #1. Their guardian was such a great and interesting man, and this was the first time count Olaf disguised himself to get to their money and kill him
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Bullying
Minor: Death, Medical content, Grief, Abandonment, and Murder
erebus53's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is instalment 2 of this episodic arc of stories about 3 orphans and their spooky nemesis who contrives to get their inheritance. The theme song for this audio production is entirely too much better than it ought to be, but I found it on Spotify so I can appease my need should I have it stuck in my head for longer than the 2 days it has been O.o
At the start we have the orphans once more rehomed with a distant relative. This man is a herpetologist and Mr Poe (yes I still chortle at the name) is surprised to find that the children are not put off with the man's enthusiasm for creepy animals. I actually spare some love for a story that showcases snakes as being fascinating and loveable friends, rather than creepy and dangerous menaces... like people.
Tim Curry has clearly smoked more than his fair share in the last few decades as his rendition of the consumptive Mr. Poe has him hacking and wheezing like a champ.. and it's most unsettling. I am just waiting for the character to fall down dead of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (which means, here, that he might be so sick that his airways swell up and he dies).
Not a lot happens in this particular story. It seems that Count Olaf is a master of costuming and disguise.. and that he will insinuate himself into any position in the children's life to try and get their money. I do wish that this episode had more of the children's can do attitude showcased, but the pace slows to a crawl when the adults sit around having a ridiculous argument for over and hour about who should drive in whose car. I think that was supposed to be funny.. but it just dragged. The "bungling adults" trope is wearing.
I am beginning to see a formula. I hope that it subverts itself and shakes things up in future tales.
At the start we have the orphans once more rehomed with a distant relative. This man is a herpetologist and Mr Poe (yes I still chortle at the name) is surprised to find that the children are not put off with the man's enthusiasm for creepy animals. I actually spare some love for a story that showcases snakes as being fascinating and loveable friends, rather than creepy and dangerous menaces... like people.
Tim Curry has clearly smoked more than his fair share in the last few decades as his rendition of the consumptive Mr. Poe has him hacking and wheezing like a champ.. and it's most unsettling. I am just waiting for the character to fall down dead of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (which means, here, that he might be so sick that his airways swell up and he dies).
Not a lot happens in this particular story. It seems that Count Olaf is a master of costuming and disguise.. and that he will insinuate himself into any position in the children's life to try and get their money. I do wish that this episode had more of the children's can do attitude showcased, but the pace slows to a crawl when the adults sit around having a ridiculous argument for over and hour about who should drive in whose car. I think that was supposed to be funny.. but it just dragged. The "bungling adults" trope is wearing.
I am beginning to see a formula. I hope that it subverts itself and shakes things up in future tales.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Stalking, Car accident, Bullying, Murder, and Child abuse
sierracook14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Violence, Stalking, and Murder
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