Series of Unfortunate Events # 01 Bad Beginning

The Baudelaire siblings have just become orphans and find their lives greatly changed. Despite the misadventures that befall these interesting, intelligent, resourceful children, you can trust that the engaging narrator will make their story-suspenseful and alarming as it is-a true delight. The beleagered siblings encounter a greedy and repulsive villian, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast! After losing both of their parents in a terrible fire, the Baudelaire children -- Violet, 14; Klaus, 12; and the infant, Sunny -- are sent to live with an evil distant relative named Count Olaf. He provides the three with a single bed, leaves them difficult chores labor over, and all-around mistreats them. The only reason he does not harm them is because he is after their inheritance, which no one can touch until Violet comes of age. His plan is to marry Violet in the context of a play (Count Olaf is an actor), thus gaining control over the inheritance money. Klaus figures this plan out with the help of books from the library of their kind but oblivious next-door neighbor, Justice Strauss. When Klaus confronts Count Olaf, he and his helpers kidnap Sunny and hold her hostage until Violet has married him in the play. His plan backfires, though, when Violet comes up with the idea of signing the legal document with her left hand even though she is right-handed. When the evil plan and Violet's quick thinking are revealed, Count Olaf is arrested, but he and his helpers flee the scene. Justice Strauss wants to adopt the children, but their parents' will stipulates that they be raised by a relative, and so the three kids are shuttled off towards their next misadventure. Despite the misadventures that befall these interesting, intelligent, resourceful orphans, you can trust that the engaging narrator will make their story--suspenseful and alarming, as it is--a true delight.