Dear reader, I am truly sorry to have to admit to you that reading the book you hold in your hands will be extremely unpleasant.

This book tells the sad story of three very unfortunate children. They are the Baudelaire siblings, who, although they are sweet and smart, their lives are filled with suffering and misfortunes.

From the very first page of the book, where the children are at the beach and learn the tragic news, disasters continue until the very last. One might say that these children attract misfortune like magnets.

Already in the first book, the one you hold, the three siblings face a greedy and repugnant man, with clothes that irritate them, with a devastating fire, with a conspiracy to lose their fortune, and with cold porridge for breakfast.

I have taken on the difficult task of recording these sad tales. However, you have the option to put the book down right now and read something else, more pleasant – if, of course, you prefer something like that.