Status
Available
Local notes
Fic Sni (c.2)
Collection
Genres
Publication
HarperCollins (2003), Edition: 1, Paperback, 240 pages
Description
The elusive author provides a glimpse into his mysterious and sometimes confusing life, using fanciful letters, diary entries, and other miscellaneous documents as well as photographs and illustrations.
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
2002-05 (US)
Physical description
240 p.; 6.9 inches
Media reviews
The Unauthorized Autobiography is a most curious work. The strangeness begins at first encounter, with the binding: the hardback cover encloses the volume on its four high sides, vertically divided down the centre of the front cover for opening. The back cover reproduces Lemony Snicket’s obituary
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as printed in The Daily Punctilio, a yellow ‘post-it’ superimposed at the foot, with the handwritten message:
‘This obituary is filled with errors – most importantly – I AM NOT DEAD! – LS’.
The text runs to xxii + 212 pages, with a six-page index. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member readafew
Ha! this book was humorous and full of 'in' jokes. It made me smile quite a bit. There was a lot of hidden clues and innuendo to things both that happened to the Baudelaire's, and the histories leading up to "The Bad Beginning". I would not recommend this book to anyone not already conversant (here
Anyway a fun book for someone who has already read most of the other Unfortunate Events books and enjoyed them, filled with hints and clues and dead ends. Enough to make you weep.
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meaning, having read most of the Unfortunate Events books) on the series as there would be absolutely nothing on which to connect the dots plotted randomly throughout the book. The book was mostly extra puzzle pieces which fit into the series but still there were quite a few more missing.Anyway a fun book for someone who has already read most of the other Unfortunate Events books and enjoyed them, filled with hints and clues and dead ends. Enough to make you weep.
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LibraryThing member kejinglu
Lemony Snicket, the author of The Series of Unfortunate Events, has turned the most asked questions of his series into a complex version of a biograpy. This biography includes the communications of VFD, hilarious titles of what the author was going to name this book, and many, many more exciting
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things that go on in this book. Its a real challenge unless you read it very, very carefully. Show Less
LibraryThing member raizel
I thought Lemony Snicket managed to make a few jokes seem fresh for 13 books, and even successfully explained away all the loose ends. But I was hoping for some resolution or something completely different for this book. The best part is the title; the second best is the conclusion of the fine
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print on the versa of the tilte page: "Wouldn't you rather read about ponies?" (OK, maybe it's better if you read the rest of the paragraph.) Oh, and the index is well done, although as I remember it, Nabokov does it much better in his Pale Fire; so does John Updike in The Centaur. Both are books for adults. Show Less
LibraryThing member martensgirl
This is a very confusing book but I suspect this is intentional. It is not a straight-forward biography, more of a mishmash of letters, newspaper cuttings and photos. It does solve some of the mysteries left by the Series of Unfortunate Events, but the overall lack of narrative is frustrating. It's
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a book for true Snicket fans only. Show Less
LibraryThing member Shahnareads
This doesn’t help me at all.
LibraryThing member aethercowboy
Lemony Snicket, while not a true person, is a true character. His life is wrought with disappointment, as all the lives of his subjects. For some reason, this makes his books all the more appealing to people whose biggest problem is they got the smaller slice of pizza or stubbed their toe when
Nevertheless, Lemony Snicket, in his Unauthorized Autobiography, presents several clues, possibly misleading, as to the more unanswered questions presented in his works (though, not to the ultimate unasked question). He gives more insight into who he is, who the villains are, and more information about his secret organization, such that, presented alongside the Series of Unfortunate Events and the Beatrice Letters, begins to unravel at least the first bit of tangles.
The book may not be for all, especially for those who have not read the Series of Unfortunate Events, or have little interest in delving deeper into the story. This book and the Beatrice Letters are to the Series of Unfortunate Events as Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantasical World Around You is to the Spiderwick Chronicles, purely supplementary, and only worth the time of fans of the series.
While this and other supplements to the Series of Unfortunate Events do provide some answers to questions, they provide even more questions in among themselves. My hope, though, is that when we finally see All the Wrong Questions, Snicket’s upcoming book, we also see a few right answers in the process.
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walking into the next room. At least they don’t have vicious arsonists dogging their every step, murdering and burning all that stands between the villain and the unwarranted fortune of his pursuit. It’s a matter of perspective.Nevertheless, Lemony Snicket, in his Unauthorized Autobiography, presents several clues, possibly misleading, as to the more unanswered questions presented in his works (though, not to the ultimate unasked question). He gives more insight into who he is, who the villains are, and more information about his secret organization, such that, presented alongside the Series of Unfortunate Events and the Beatrice Letters, begins to unravel at least the first bit of tangles.
The book may not be for all, especially for those who have not read the Series of Unfortunate Events, or have little interest in delving deeper into the story. This book and the Beatrice Letters are to the Series of Unfortunate Events as Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantasical World Around You is to the Spiderwick Chronicles, purely supplementary, and only worth the time of fans of the series.
While this and other supplements to the Series of Unfortunate Events do provide some answers to questions, they provide even more questions in among themselves. My hope, though, is that when we finally see All the Wrong Questions, Snicket’s upcoming book, we also see a few right answers in the process.
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LibraryThing member TheCuriousCottage
When it came to A Series of Unfortunate Events, I could never get into the books, because I just didn't "get it"...until I read this book. The title caught my eye immediately and from there I started reading it out loud to the kids. I laughed so hard, I cried. After reading this, the series became
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one of my daughter's favorites. She has all of the books in her library and we loved the movie. Show Less
LibraryThing member Othemts
To fulfill my completionism, and because the next installment of A Series of Unfortunate Events will not be published until October, I read this disjointed companion to the series. It’s really for people who are fixated on solving the mysteries of the VFD and lacks the narrative joy that makes
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the series so enjoyable. In fact it's designed to be more of a scrapbook of clippings and photos with funny in-jokes. It made for a quick read, and I'm sure I still missed a lot of clues. Show Less
LibraryThing member hippieJ
This book is a little confusing so i recommend reading it after you've read all of his series of unfortunate events books. It's a great book about the author's life. however you must remember it still falls in fiction because lemony snicket is not a real person. just his fake name
LibraryThing member JadeGordon
It was amusing, cute in jokes, but the index ended up being the most fun for me! Hidden jokes in the index!
LibraryThing member Pollifax
I liked it although it was a little hard to follow at times and it would also be helpful if I could read his hand wrting for his notes it might make things make more sense but I do like how he writes like when he says ...a phrase which here means... that i find to be entertaining
LibraryThing member PennHumphrey
I liked the A Series of Unfortunate Events, but this book was very hard to follow sometimes. It would be nice if I could read his hand writing because it was really hard to follow along. He did tell funny jokes in his book, but very hard to understand the book.
LibraryThing member flexatone
Delightful mumbo jumbo about secret! The truth is out there and it is running away from you.
LibraryThing member Cecrow
This was a fantastic, funny aside, very creative and amusing. I read it according to its publication date, between the 9th and 10th books of the Unfortunate Events series. Since it reflects back on the books up to that point, I strongly recommend this as the reading order.
LibraryThing member AltheaAnn
Ok, I cut ‘The End’ a lot of slack for its indeterminate conclusion and unanswered questions. However, “Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography” is basically just Daniel Handler going “nyah nyah nyah readers: these are all the questions that I know I didn’t answer, enumerated –
It doesn’t have a plot, and it’s not a biography, auto- or otherwise.
However, if you read all 13 Unfortunate Events, you might as well read this one too – it’s part of the same work, as a whole. And it is kind of cool, actually. But still.
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and I’m still not going to answer them! PSYCH!”It doesn’t have a plot, and it’s not a biography, auto- or otherwise.
However, if you read all 13 Unfortunate Events, you might as well read this one too – it’s part of the same work, as a whole. And it is kind of cool, actually. But still.
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LibraryThing member Marse
Lemony Snicket's autobiography came out in 2002, before the end of the last few books. I should have read this before starting book 10: The Slippery Slope. If I had, certain connections revealed near the end of the series wouldn't have seemed so ... unexpected. Anyway, this book contains many
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photos and snippets of texts from various people, and explains that all the characters we've met have been brought into the VFD at a very early age, basically without their consent. So we get a glimpse into the childhood training that many of the characters experienced and follow, somewhat haphazardly, the careers of some of them. I have to say, I'm glad I read the series and the two auxiliary books, but I'm relieved to be done. I understand that Lemony Snicket has also written a (shorter) series of mystery books, based on the adventures of himself as a 13 year-old. Some day I may sneak a peek at those, but for right now I ponder how it is that I still don't know the significance of the sugar bowl!! Show Less
LibraryThing member ilikethesebooks
I did not read much as a young child, something that I try to make up for every day. However, there were three books/series that I remember devouring: Fever 1793, The Witch of Blackbird Pond and A Series of Unfortunate Events. These books seriously made my childhood (clearly I enjoyed depressing
Although I enjoyed reading this novel, I wish there was a little something more... The book is composed of different pieces of writing gathered up in one place: news articles, secret notes, encrypted play scripts, dialogues, and more that all contribute to the mystery that is Lemony Snicket. I enjoyed the eclectic nature of the writing, since that style is what we have all come to love about the author. I just wish it all added up. Maybe I missed something, but I was hoping that all the little clues would create something come the end of the book... but I was left with more mystery. The novel was definitely fun and worth reading for any avid fan of the series, but I wouldn't expect a real conclusion.
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stories.... I was an odd child.). I didn't even know this book existed until two weeks ago, which is when I automatically bought it and read it as soon as it reached me. I was dying to continue the story, especially with All the Wrong Questions, Snicket's new series coming out later this year.Although I enjoyed reading this novel, I wish there was a little something more... The book is composed of different pieces of writing gathered up in one place: news articles, secret notes, encrypted play scripts, dialogues, and more that all contribute to the mystery that is Lemony Snicket. I enjoyed the eclectic nature of the writing, since that style is what we have all come to love about the author. I just wish it all added up. Maybe I missed something, but I was hoping that all the little clues would create something come the end of the book... but I was left with more mystery. The novel was definitely fun and worth reading for any avid fan of the series, but I wouldn't expect a real conclusion.
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LibraryThing member wichitafriendsschool
In anticipation of the forthcoming release of The Slippery Slope (A Series of Unfortunate Events Book the Tenth) don't miss this depressing opportunity to warn even more readers off Lemony Snicket. Finally, here is the definitive – and only – book for anyone interested in learning more about
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the alarmingly elusive author. Ages 10 Show Less
LibraryThing member BrynDahlquis
So many questions and really, no answers at all.
Perfect for lovers of the Series of Unfortunate Events series who want to delve deeper into the unsolved mysteries of VFD. I greatly enjoy matching it up with parts of the Baudelaire series. I'm also glad that there aren't actually too many answers,
Perfect for lovers of the Series of Unfortunate Events series who want to delve deeper into the unsolved mysteries of VFD. I greatly enjoy matching it up with parts of the Baudelaire series. I'm also glad that there aren't actually too many answers,
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because sometimes answers actually ruin a good mystery rather than solve it. Show Less
LibraryThing member nx74defiant
Nice, funny supplement to the stories. With illustrations, photos and sarcasm.
Defiantly not to be read as a stand alone book.
You need to be familiar with the books to get it.
Defiantly not to be read as a stand alone book.
You need to be familiar with the books to get it.
LibraryThing member Bricker
I have seen a few episodes of the show, but this is my first experience with Snicket's writing. It was fun...kind of like if Willy Wonka wrote a Hardy Boys book.
LibraryThing member nmhale
While the title of the book purports to be an autobiography of Lemony Snicket, the fictional author of the Series of Unfortunate Events who ends up being a character in his own right in the story, the book is anything but a biography. In true Snicket style, the chapters are filled with misdirection
Okay, this is all hilarious. The tone perfectly maintains the mystery that is built up over the course of the thirteen-book series about the unfortunate lives of the Baudelaire children. Given how secretive Snicket is as the "author" of that series, it's unsurprising the his biography would stubbornly be absent of any actual information about him. Adding to these layers of confusion is the knowledge that Snicket is a fictional character, made up by Daniel Handler, the real author of these books, who camouflages himself as a representative for Snicket, and therefore himself becomes a character in these stories. Conspiracy theories exist as a collage of half truths and events that are built out with bizarre secret meanings, and this book is a masterful written portrayal of a fictional conspiracy theory (referring back to the days when conspiracy theories were strange and fun adventures that most people only took semi-seriously, before people started taking them in dark directions full of hate and violence, as they've become now). By reading between the lines and connecting this book to the series that inspired it, astute readers can piece together some new information about the lore of this fictional world. It appears that the VFD recruited children at young ages, and got their parents' permission but nonetheless took them in a way that resembled a child abduction. It appears that Olaf's parents were accidentally murdered, providing a motive for his insane, murderous ways in the Unfortunate Events series. It appears that the ridiculous costumes Olaf wears are actually a result of the costume training and standard costume kit that VFD members received. If readers are hoping for more concrete answers to the mysteries introduced in A Series of Unfortunate Events, they will be disappointed. Instead, this book offers some half answers and a lot more questions. If, on the other hand, readers are hoping to enjoy more of the secrecy-laden Snicket world, and Handler's narrative style full of anagrams, wordplay, dark humor, and irony, then this book will be an enjoyable extension of the fun. I fall in the latter camp. This novel was quirky and amusing. It's a bit gimmicky, but I like the gimmicks. This is definitely a good read for people who are fans of the unique style of A Series of Unfortunate Events, but likely would confuse anyone else.
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and cryptic messages. The original chapter headings, which seem more traditionally biography-like, are crossed out, and are replaced with hand-written questions which seem to be penned by Lemony Snicket. Instead of learning about where Snicket was born, his early childhood, why he writes about the Baudelaires, and so on, the reader is asked to ponder questions like where was this photograph taken, why an actress was pulled after only one performance, and why a certain ship left dock three hours early. Instead of a linearly presented narrative of a life, readers are presented with excerpts of books and newspapers, sections of meeting notes, photographs, advertisements, and other supposedly original documents that have been collected together. Essentially, we're supposed to be reading s file of collected artifacts that have hidden meaning, which we assume we would understand if we were part of the mysterious VFD organization, but as we're not, we only get glimpses of the truth.Okay, this is all hilarious. The tone perfectly maintains the mystery that is built up over the course of the thirteen-book series about the unfortunate lives of the Baudelaire children. Given how secretive Snicket is as the "author" of that series, it's unsurprising the his biography would stubbornly be absent of any actual information about him. Adding to these layers of confusion is the knowledge that Snicket is a fictional character, made up by Daniel Handler, the real author of these books, who camouflages himself as a representative for Snicket, and therefore himself becomes a character in these stories. Conspiracy theories exist as a collage of half truths and events that are built out with bizarre secret meanings, and this book is a masterful written portrayal of a fictional conspiracy theory (referring back to the days when conspiracy theories were strange and fun adventures that most people only took semi-seriously, before people started taking them in dark directions full of hate and violence, as they've become now). By reading between the lines and connecting this book to the series that inspired it, astute readers can piece together some new information about the lore of this fictional world. It appears that the VFD recruited children at young ages, and got their parents' permission but nonetheless took them in a way that resembled a child abduction. It appears that Olaf's parents were accidentally murdered, providing a motive for his insane, murderous ways in the Unfortunate Events series. It appears that the ridiculous costumes Olaf wears are actually a result of the costume training and standard costume kit that VFD members received. If readers are hoping for more concrete answers to the mysteries introduced in A Series of Unfortunate Events, they will be disappointed. Instead, this book offers some half answers and a lot more questions. If, on the other hand, readers are hoping to enjoy more of the secrecy-laden Snicket world, and Handler's narrative style full of anagrams, wordplay, dark humor, and irony, then this book will be an enjoyable extension of the fun. I fall in the latter camp. This novel was quirky and amusing. It's a bit gimmicky, but I like the gimmicks. This is definitely a good read for people who are fans of the unique style of A Series of Unfortunate Events, but likely would confuse anyone else.
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LibraryThing member Jazz1987
Very cleaver fake autobiography of Lemony Snicket with a cleaver Introduction by Daniel Handler. Very fun read with various fonts, styles, photographs. It is very clear why this is a companion to The Series of Unfortunate Events.
LibraryThing member Mothwing
What a strange little companion novel to the Series of Unfortunate Events. Probably it's been too long since I Finished the books. It was enjoyable To read about the characters again.
LibraryThing member Crowyhead
This is a kick! I think I'll have to go back and re-read this once the series is over, and see if parts of it make more sense.
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Pages
240