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Poison for Breakfast Hardcover – August 31, 2021
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Washington Post Bestseller
A new stand-alone adventure―appropriate for all ages―by Lemony Snicket, one of the twenty-first century’s most beloved authors.
In the years since this publishing house was founded, we have worked with an array of wondrous authors who have brought illuminating clarity to our bewildering world. Now, instead, we bring you Lemony Snicket.
Over the course of his long and suspicious career, Mr. Snicket has investigated many things, including villainy, treachery, conspiracy, ennui, and various suspicious fires. In this book, he is investigating his own death.
Poison for Breakfast is a different sort of book than others we have published, and from others you may have read. It is different from other books Mr. Snicket has written. It could be said to be a book of philosophy, something almost no one likes, but it is also a mystery, and many people claim to like those. Certainly Mr. Snicket didn’t relish the dreadful task of solving it, but he had no choice. It was put in front of him, right there, on his plate. 18 illustrations- Print length168 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherLiveright
- Publication dateAugust 31, 2021
- Grade level7 - 9
- Reading age13 - 18 years
- Dimensions4.8 x 0.7 x 7.6 inches
- ISBN-101324090626
- ISBN-13978-1324090625
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Review
― Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian
"Lemony Snicket’s Poison for Breakfast will certainly be a hit with his fans because the author’s style is quite unique . . . . I enjoy the distinctive structure, odd tidbits, and repetition . . . . settle in for a fun read."
― Ronna Mandel, Goodreads
"A charismatic voyage into the topic of bewilderment, with detours reflecting on death. . . Watch out for the surprising conclusion! This just may be [Snicket’s] finest hour."
― Jeanne Fredriksen, Booklist
"Full of Snicket’s trademark clever whimsy... it is the sort of pleasant bewilderment that comes from letting your mind wander down unfamiliar paths... Steadfast fans of Lemony Snicket will surely be pleased with this new entry into his canon."
― Sarah Reid, School Library Journal
"We are all bewildered, Snicket says.... Despite this novel being written before COVID-19, this message resonates deeply in our present world. Feeling lost in a constant state. However, Snicket urges us to stay hopeful. For those of you who, like me, grew up reading A Series of Unfortunate Events, this is the perfect book for you.... A wild, philosophical ride."
― Abby Petree, The Young Folks
"Fans of Snicket’s voice will adore the book.... A love letter to the concept and inherent power of literature.... Full of the classic wordplay, snark, and insight that long-time fans will be hoping for."
― Michael Cook, Geek Vibes Nation
"[Snicket] returns with a delightfully quirky philosophical novel... [H]e reminisces about, among other things... the craft of writing... [Visiting] a library... sets the stage for a surprising conclusion. Snicket laces the narrative with his trademark word definitions... This will delight fans of Snicket’s singular storytelling."
― Publishers Weekly
"Daniel Handler has crafted a perfect gem of a true philosophical treatise hidden in a Snicket mystery. I loved every savory bit of it."
― Jon Scieszka
From the Back Cover
Dear Reader,
Are you confused? Do you have any idea what is going on? Of course you are, and of course you don’t.
This book is about bewilderment, a word which here means not having the faintest idea what is going on at any given time. It is also something of a murder-mystery, in which a dreadful crime is investigated in the hopes of finding out what happened to the poor murdered victim. The person investigating is me. So is the poor murdered victim.
The clues in this investigation include a suspicious stranger, an upsetting supermarket, the strange way literature is made, painful embarrassment, long songs, improperly prepared eggs, and other things which I happen to think are important.
Some people might call Poison for Breakfast a book of philosophy, and hardly anyone likes a book of philosophy. When a person begins to investigate this bewildering world and their own inevitable death, they begin to suffer from a deeply troubling kind of bewilderment experienced by anyone foolish enough to love literature.
Unless you are that sort of person, I recommend reading something else entirely.
With all due respect,Lemony Snicket
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Liveright (August 31, 2021)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 168 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1324090626
- ISBN-13 : 978-1324090625
- Reading age : 13 - 18 years
- Grade level : 7 - 9
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 4.8 x 0.7 x 7.6 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #155,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #414 in Dark Humor
- #1,389 in Humorous Fiction
- #10,569 in Literary Fiction (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Lemony Snicket claims he was nowhere near the scene of the crime. He is the author of several other unpleasant stories, including those in the bestselling A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Lump of Coal.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book insightful and captivating. They praise the writing style as good and imaginative. The pacing is described as quick and easy to read, making it an ideal choice for boring train or plane trips or long waits at the doctor's office.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book insightful and engaging. They appreciate the creative dialogue and captivating narrative that draws them in from the start. The book is described as philosophical rather than mystery, with twists of meaning and tickling thoughts.
"As always, Snicket delights with this novel. His roundabout, run-on thoughts are part of the charm and a glimpse into the inner workings of his mind...." Read more
"...enjoying more work of his unique style, creative dialogue, and captivating narrative which drags you in from the start." Read more
"An intriguing book, one might even say bewildering, surprising and replete with noteworthy omissions, but this review demands twenty words." Read more
"...There's not much mystery to give away and not much profound thoughts...." Read more
Customers enjoy the writing style. They praise the author's sense of humor, good voice, and imagination. The book is described as a great read with good quality and price.
"...He has a droll sense of humor and a good writing style. "..." Read more
"...’re a fan of philosophy (but in a fun, not boring, way) and writing with a strong voice, this is for you!" Read more
"...W In my opinion, Lemony Snicket is a unique and brilliant writer. I love his books ...." Read more
"As a teenager reading this, it was difficult. But written well and will definitely try reading again to get a better understanding" Read more
Customers enjoy the book's pacing and unique style. They find the dialogue creative and thought-provoking. The author is described as brilliant and the writing as lovely.
"...I get to the have the privilege of enjoying more work of his unique style, creative dialogue, and captivating narrative which drags you in from the..." Read more
"...Lovely." Read more
"...In my opinion, Or W In my opinion, Lemony Snicket is a unique and brilliant writer. I love his books ...." Read more
"LS does not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed this creative work. Much food for thought, for sure." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and quick. They say it's a good read while on a boring train or plane trip or during a long wait at the doctor's office, as it doesn't waste time evolving the plot and hitting its stride.
"...This short read doesn't waste time evolving the plot and hitting its stride...." Read more
"...Best read while on a boring train or plane trip or during a long wait at the doctor's office." Read more
"A very pleasant read that meanders into a kind of slow walk, that continues down a path at dusk, and ends in the library...." Read more
"...I wish I could find more books like this—it was a very quick read, but gave me a lot to think about." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2023As always, Snicket delights with this novel. His roundabout, run-on thoughts are part of the charm and a glimpse into the inner workings of his mind. What I find the most fascinating about his works are how he reveals the mystery first, and spends the entirety of the content explaining the how and when and why, keeping you intrigued every step of the way. This short read doesn't waste time evolving the plot and hitting its stride.
Snicket is such a refreshing author in this world of popular booktok series that blend together.
P.S. Patrick Warburton lends his voice to portray Snicket and is incredible as always.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024"Illustrious" being a word here which means "Intriguingly crafted and will be back for seconds". From title to conclusion, this book was thoroughly a pleasure to read with a clever twist at the end. Lemony Snicket has always had a soft place in my heart since A Series of Unfortunate Events, and I'm thankful I get to the have the privilege of enjoying more work of his unique style, creative dialogue, and captivating narrative which drags you in from the start.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2022This is a delightful book and the first I've read of Mr Snicket. While I'm not in a book club, this would be an excellent book to share with others. Think this will stay with me for a while.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024This was a gift for my daughter! Apparently it was a good book!
- Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2022I liked Lemony Snicket's "Series of Unfortunate Events." He has a droll sense of humor and a good writing style. "Poison for Breakfast" is a stream-of-consciousness ramble of the author's thoughts from the time he receives a mysterious message under his front door to the time he realizes where it came from. This all takes place as he rambles through his neighborhood, retracing his morning walk to try and solve the riddle. There's not much mystery to give away and not much profound thoughts. Best read while on a boring train or plane trip or during a long wait at the doctor's office.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023Book is as described. NEW! I know my grandson is going to enjoy reading it.
5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to find anywhere else.Book is as described. NEW! I know my grandson is going to enjoy reading it.
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2023The book arrived at the earliest date given, and the book is in terrific shape. I really didn't expect a book called "good" to be as nice as it is. VERY pleased.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2022An intriguing book, one might even say bewildering, surprising and replete with noteworthy omissions, but this review demands twenty words.
Top reviews from other countries
- Kevan MulvaneyReviewed in Canada on January 23, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Bewildering
Very interesting read!
-
JordanReviewed in France on May 15, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Plus de Lemony Snicket au petit déjeuner
Lemony Snicket, les Baudelaire et du poison, ça vous dit quelque chose ? C’est bien le cas dans Poison au Petit Déjeuner, le dernier né du romancier malchanceux…
- saturn95Reviewed in Germany on April 18, 2022
1.0 out of 5 stars What a mess
I was struggling with myself while reading the first chapter of the book, because it is so boring!!!!
- Jeanette EversonReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Lemony Snicket strikes again (and names my cat)
I listened to this as an audible member freebie, and 'freebie' here, is a word that means I listened to it all in one go and then bought a physical copy. And 'bought' is a word that means I loved it so much I paid for it. Even though I have it for free already.
And, better again, I'm going to inflict it onto as many of my students as I can until they scream at me that they would rather have poison for breakfast than listen to me talking about it one more time.
And I'm going to beg random people to sign up for more writing classes with me so I can open it again and again and for those of you who don't already realise it, Mr Snicket is either a genius or a Very Strange Man, and by one, I mean the other. Or both.
I am trying not to be concerned about all the students who won't sleep at night once I have introduced them to the perilous life and poisoning of Lemony Snicket, (and 'introduced', here is a word that means rammed into them like poisoned eggs. Or honey. Or water. I can't tell you which; it would spoil the element of surprise, and if I learned one thing from this book, it's that surprise is a good thing in story writing.)
Read it at your peril.
Oh, and one final caution. If you may be the kind of person who is likely to become the kind of person who snorts when you laugh, then you should read this in a secluded place far from madding, mad, and madder crowds, like, say, on a small rowing boat with only one oar, on a dark lake under a mountain. Or if water is not your thing, then in a tree house in a far corner of a field.
It is also important to note that after the Series of Unfortunate Events that brought her to us, the kitten temporarily known as HedgeGirl seems to have chosen to be known as Lemony from now on. But she didn't have poison for breakfast. I don't think.
Jeanette Everson
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2021
And, better again, I'm going to inflict it onto as many of my students as I can until they scream at me that they would rather have poison for breakfast than listen to me talking about it one more time.
And I'm going to beg random people to sign up for more writing classes with me so I can open it again and again and for those of you who don't already realise it, Mr Snicket is either a genius or a Very Strange Man, and by one, I mean the other. Or both.
I am trying not to be concerned about all the students who won't sleep at night once I have introduced them to the perilous life and poisoning of Lemony Snicket, (and 'introduced', here is a word that means rammed into them like poisoned eggs. Or honey. Or water. I can't tell you which; it would spoil the element of surprise, and if I learned one thing from this book, it's that surprise is a good thing in story writing.)
Read it at your peril.
Oh, and one final caution. If you may be the kind of person who is likely to become the kind of person who snorts when you laugh, then you should read this in a secluded place far from madding, mad, and madder crowds, like, say, on a small rowing boat with only one oar, on a dark lake under a mountain. Or if water is not your thing, then in a tree house in a far corner of a field.
It is also important to note that after the Series of Unfortunate Events that brought her to us, the kitten temporarily known as HedgeGirl seems to have chosen to be known as Lemony from now on. But she didn't have poison for breakfast. I don't think.
Images in this review - Hyde AddamsReviewed in Australia on March 5, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book
Absolutely gorgeous you can’t deny the allure of a book with gorgeous green shine for the poison. Perfect condition, amazing book. Super fast shipping with great packaging. Thanks so much. Definitely a book to add to the collection
Hyde Addams
Reviewed in Australia on March 5, 2024
Images in this review