The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket (Book Review)

The Reptile Room
A Series of Unfortunate Events #2
by Lemony Snicket

190 pages
HarperCollins, 1999
gothic fiction/absurdist fiction/steampunk/mystery
Read in 2 days

My Rating: ★★★

Amazon.com / BN.com

“The stretch of the road that leads out of the city, past Hazy Harbor and into the town of Tedia, is perhaps the most unpleasant in the world.”

Review: Another 13 chapters down in another easy to read yet highly enjoyable book. The poor Baudelaire children are in for more unfortunate events this time. I seem to think Count Olaf will be making appearances in every book until he (hopefully) meets his own untimely demise. It only seems fair after all the people he’s managed to do away with with no remorse.


I’m a bit surprised that this series would be considered for children considering it’s pretty dark and deadly subject matter but it could be a useful tool in explaining to children the evils of this world in a way they can understand. The author does not hold back in the unfortunate events that happen to these three kind-hearted children. Like I’ve said in my review of the first book, this is definitely a series that needs to be read out loud in order to truly enjoy it.

I recommend this series to people of all ages. You’re never too old to read a classic.

Synopsis: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent children. They are charming, and resourceful, and have pleasant facial features. Unfortunately, they are exceptionally unlucky.

In the first two books alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, a lumpy bed, a deadly serpent, a large brass reading lamp, a long knife, and a terrible odour.

In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Never before has a tale of three likeable and unfortunate children been quite so enchanting, or quite so uproariously unhappy.

To learn more about Lemony Snicket, please visit his site.