Annotation:I have previously read the entire series but chose to read this to my 9 year old son (not really planning on continuing past book 3 or so). It didn't take us long to get through and he loved it! The funny parts helped compensate for the evil and treacherous plans of Count Olaf and many nights we would read over our usual 20 minute shared time since he would beg to read more. He is now fully captivated by the mysterious Lemony Snicket and whether or not the Beaudilaire children are real ;)