47 pages • 1 hour read
The Reptile Room
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Book Brief
192
Novel • Fiction
North America • Contemporary
1999
Middle grade
8-12 years
1040L
Super Short Summary
In Lemony Snicket's The Reptile Room, the Baudelaire children—Violet, Klaus, and Sunny—find temporary happiness with their new guardian, Uncle Monty, a kind herpetologist. Their joy is shattered when the villainous Count Olaf, disguised as Monty's assistant, murders Monty and attempts to abduct the children, who cleverly expose Olaf's true identity and escape his clutches.
Mysterious
Unnerving
Bittersweet
Humorous
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
236,150 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket is a well-received installment in the series, praised for its dark humor, engaging storyline, and unique narrative style. Readers appreciate the character development and intriguing plot twists. Criticisms include its occasionally predictable elements and some bleak themes, which may not suit all readers. Overall, it's a compelling continuation of the series.
Who Should Read The Reptile Room?
A reader who enjoys The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket is typically fond of dark humor, quirky narration, and gothic themes. Ideal for ages 8-12, similar to fans of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling and Coraline by Neil Gaiman, this audience appreciates tales of adventure, resilience, and the peculiar antics of mischievous villains.
236,150 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Klaus Baudelaire
Klaus Baudelaire
Aged 12, Klaus is the middle Baudelaire sibling, known for his love of reading and research, which allows him to retain and quickly obtain important information.
Sunny Baudelaire
Sunny Baudelaire
The youngest Baudelaire, Sunny is a baby with a love for biting and playing tricks, often helping her siblings by creating distractions or using her surprisingly strong teeth.
Lemony Snicket
Lemony Snicket
The narrator of the series, providing commentary and definitions while enhancing the story's metafictional and pedagogical elements.
Mr. Poe
Mr. Poe
A banker and friend of the Baudelaires’ parents, responsible for finding a guardian for the children, but often oblivious to their plight.
Uncle Monty
Uncle Monty
The Baudelaires’ new guardian and a kind herpetologist, whose home provides a pleasant change from their previous experiences.
Count Olaf/Stephano
Count Olaf/Stephano
The main antagonist, a villainous actor posing as "Stephano," who is determined to steal the Baudelaire fortune through deceitful means.
Dr. Lucafont/Count Olaf's Theater Minion
Dr. Lucafont/Count Olaf's Theater Minion
One of Count Olaf’s minions, who adopts a disguise as a doctor to assist in Olaf’s schemes against the Baudelaires.
192
Novel • Fiction
North America • Contemporary
1999
Middle grade
8-12 years
1040L
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