The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket

Dear Reader,

If you have just picked up this particular book, then it is not too late to put it back down. Like the previous books in A Series of Unfortunate Events, there is nothing to be found in these pages but misery, despair, and discomfort, and you still have time to choose something else to read.

Within the chapters of this story, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire encounter a darkened staircase, a red herring, some friends in a dire situation, three mysterious initials, a liar with an evil scheme, a secret passageway, and parsley soda.

I have sworn to write down these tales of the Baudelaire orphans so the general public will know each terrible thing that has happened to them, but if you decide to read something else instead, you will save yourself from a heapful of horror and woe.
With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

I actually thought I would pick up this book in honour of the fact that the final book in the Lemony Snicket series was released on October 13. I was sent the first 9 books in the series ages ago, and every now and again I pick one up and read it. This is the sixth book in the series. The good thing is that each book is a fast and easy read.

The Baudelaire children are about to introduce their latest guardians - a very fashion conscious couple who live in a huge apartment on either the 46th or the 64th floor. Unfortunately for the children, elevators are out of fashion so every time they have to go back to their new home they have to climb all the way up the stairs. There are several examples throughout the book of the silliness of blindly following trends. Another amusing example was a dinner at the very fashionable Salmonella cafe, where everything, including dessert is made from Salmon! Reminded me of a VERY fishy lunch I had in Venice once!!

As always the wicked Count Olaf is never far away, and the Baudelaires have to find a way to expose him, thereby saving themselves from his clutches. They also need to find a way to save their friends The Quagmires who are also being held by Count Olaf in his nefarious plan to get hold of their fortunes.

I guess, to a certain extent, the pattern is set for this series of books in the first book - it is in the details that the author excels - providing us with incredibly unlikely situations for the children to get themselves out of. The one that that is likely is that each of the books will be a fun read.

Good for everyone...not only for kids!

Rating 3.5/5