The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 4)

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"The Baudelaire orphans looked out the grimy window of the train and gazed at the gloomy blackness of the Finite Forest, wondering if their lives would ever get better," begins The Miserable Mill. If you have been introduced to the three Baudelaire orphans in any of Lemony Snicket's previous novels, you know that not only will their lives not get better, they will get much worse. In the fourth installment in the "Series of Unfortunate Events," the sorrowful siblings, having once again narrowly escaped the clutches of the evil Count Olaf, are escorted by the kindly but ineffectual Mr. Poe to their newest "home" at the Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Much to their horror (if not surprise), their dormitory at the mill is crowded and damp, they are forced to work with spinning saw blades, they are fed only one meal a day (not counting the chewing gum they get for lunch), and worst of all, Count Olaf lurks in a dreadful disguise as Shirley the receptionist just down the street. Not even the clever wordplay and ludicrous plot twists could keep this story buoyant--reading about the mean-spirited foreman, the deadly blades, poor Klaus (hypnotized and "reprogrammed"), and the relentless hopelessness of the children's situation only made us feel gloomy. Fans of these wickedly funny, suspenseful adventures won't want to miss out on a single one, but we're hoping the next tales have the delicate balance of delight and disaster we've come to expect from this exciting series. (Ages 9 to 12)

Book Description

I hope, for your sake, that you have not chosen to read this book because you are in the mood for a pleasant experience. If this is the case, I advise you to put this book down instantaneously, because of all the books describing the unhappy lives of the Baudelaire orphans, The Miserable Mill might be the unhappiest yet. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to Paltryville to work in a lumber mill, and they find disaster and misfortune lurking behind every log. The pages of this book, I'm sorry to inform you, contain such unpleasantries as a giant pincher machine, a bad casserole, a man with a cloud of smoke where his head should be, a hypnotist, a terrible accident resulting in injury, and coupons. I have promised to write down the entire history of these three poor children, but you haven't, so if you prefer stories that are more heartwarming, please feel free to make another selection.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

Ages 10+

Customer Reviews:

My favorite in the series.......2007-08-21

This book is a jumping off point from the first three books since the kids don't begin the book with Mr. Poe, instead they're traveling off to a place alone and aren't being entrusted to a person at all, but a lumber company. Since the setup is so bizzare, so is everything else. The characters are so quirky and Phil is one of my favorite side characters in the entire series. For once, one of Olaf's accomplices gets one of the most grizzly fates I can imagine. The creative level of this one is what made me finish the entire series since the formula was becoming a bit old after the first three novels and a changeup was needed. What's interesting about that is how it still fits the plot of the first three, but the way it goes about it is different and that makes all the difference in the world to me.

The Mill.......2007-03-28

For the people who love the adventures of children, those people should read this book. It is easy to enjoy the writings because Lemony explains the words that are so hard that you would need a dictionary for. There is no was this book could be boring. There is suspense and mystery within these pages. I recommend this book to all ages.

A Great Book.......2007-03-02

If you like to read books,then read this one.The main characters in the book were Klaus,Violet,and Sunny.The book I read was The Miserable Mill,the fourth book from the Series Of Unfortunate Events,by Lemony Snickets.Lemony Snickets is one of my favorite authors because I really like the way he writes his books.Every one I've read is so suspence thrilling and it makes you want to keep reading until the end of the book.
The book started out with the three Bauldalair children on a train to their new guardians home.The reason they were on the train was because in the first book,The Bad Beginning,the children's parents had perished in a terrable fire.
Ever since that day the were forced to find new gaurdians to take care of them,and every time they would find a new gaurdian,Count Olaf,an evil man who wanted to steal the Bauldalair children's fortune,would try to find them and steal the fortune.In all of the books I've,everywhere the children went,misfortunate events followed.So after the Bauldalair children got off the train,they arrived at a place called Lucky Smils Lumbermill,where they would meet their new caretaker.I'll stop there,because I don't want to spoil the rest,but overal I think The Miserable Mill was a fantastic book.

Best one so far. (Caution: Possible spoilers!).......2007-01-23

Coming from a 17 year old:
I thought this book is the best book so far because Snicket mixes it up a little by not introducing us to who Count Olaf is disguised as this time until over half way through the book. The new caretaker of the Baudelaire orphans does not die in the end unlike Uncle Monty (Book 2) and Aunt josefine (Book 3). Snicket also allows Violet and Klaus to "step into each other's shoes" and experience what each other liked to do instead of Klaus always reading and Violet always inventing. I liked how Snicket mixed up the plot and the Baudelaire's being sent off to Boarding School will also be a nice change from being shipped to another caretaker. I also think I like this book the best so far is because I had gotten the "A Series of Unfortunate Events" movie this past Christmas, and the movie is based only on the first three books. The movie is actually what got me into reading this series, but I think reading this book and having it not been in the movie has made me enjoy it more because I didn't know what was going to happen next, which made it more suspenseful. These books are also light reading; taking me only about two to three hours to finish one of them. I encourage you to continue reading the series and to not give up until you have finished the series. Like I like to say you can't form an opinion on something when you don't know all the fact about what your forming an opinion on.

Thank you for your time,
<3Loran

The Miserable Mill.......2007-01-05

I think The Miserable Mill over all is great. The beginning of the book was kind of boring though. As the book went on it got more interesting. I read the first few chapters and could not put the book down. I read the book for hours!!! When I was finished with the book I was so sad because the book was so good!!!! I decided to read another Series of Unfortunate Events book. So yes I do recommend the book.

The Situation Worsens: A Box of Unfortunate Events, Books 4-6 (The Miserable Mill; The Austere Academy; The Ersatz Elevator)

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Part 4 to 6 of A series of unfortunate events
Better than Potter
The fun is just getting started
4th Grade Reader Strikes Gold in Lemony Snicket
thank you

The Situation Worsens: A Box of Unfortunate Events, Books 4-6 (The Miserable Mill; The Austere Academy; The Ersatz Elevator)
Lemony Snicket
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060095563
Release Date: 2002-10-01

Book Description

What could be worse than a book by Lemony Snicket? Three books by Lemony Snicket—all in one foul package. This second Box of Unfortunate Events, contains The Miserable Mill, The Austere Academy, and The Ersatz Elevator.

Customer Reviews:

Part 4 to 6 of A series of unfortunate events.......2007-08-31

I read part 1 to 3 of a series of unfortunate events a couple of years ago and thought all the books were about the same. I didn't expect the story to be developing. From part 4 to 6 new personalities arive and the story develops further making you aware of and curious about the overall plot.

Better than Potter.......2007-07-18

I bought the first set of books for my 8-year-old niece. She read all three in two months (it's the only books she has read without being prompted). Now I get hints to buy more so be prepared to buy then all. What more can I say. These book are well written, explain new words without talking down, so increasing vocabulary. Dark and funny.

I only wish J.K.Rowling could write as good as this. Though that hasn't effected her book sales.

The fun is just getting started.......2007-05-31

The family loves these books from Lemony Snicket. We can't wait for the next ones.

4th Grade Reader Strikes Gold in Lemony Snicket.......2007-04-29

These books are exceptionally great. My son has struggled to find books that are the right speed for him and the right tone, genre, etc. He doesn't like overly scary books, sports books, fantasy, and a bunch of other common genres with anything reasonable at his reading level.

Lemony Snicket has great story lines, great use of humor, and vocabulary that's a little stretch (but always explained, with humor, as part of the narrative). He has plowed through the first 6 books, even reading 3 of them last week alone. I enjoy reading them, too, which is always a good sign for me.

thank you.......2007-01-23

we are enjoying the stories and the quality of the books is more than excellent

thank you it will last a long time

The Miserable Mill - Book 4 of A Series of Unfortunate Events

Average customer rating:

Shirley, you must be joking?
Suffering Stew waiting for You
Really Good Book
andrew boisvert's review
andrew boisvert's reveiw

The Miserable Mill - Book 4 of A Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ASIN: 0439272637

Customer Reviews:

Shirley, you must be joking?.......2007-09-22

Once again the Baudelaire orphans are transplanted in what will turn out to be a "Series of Unfortunate Events." Their newest home is the Lucky Smells Lumbermill dormitory.
Here once again Lemony tells the meaning of many words (usually with words that need the meaning explained.) We are treated to the difference of literally and figurative among other such concepts.
Naturally they think everyone is Olaf. And of course they are correct. A mystery has to be solved and to do this Violet must learn Klaus's skills of reading apprehension. Then there are lives to be saved and Klaus must learn Violets' inventive skills. Sunny stays En garde.

Suffering Stew waiting for You.......2007-08-11

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (Widescreen Edition)I was dragged to the theater at Christmas time to see this movie.
So I got one of the newer books in the series.
Here is my impression:
Don't let your child read this rot!
This book is not at all funny: child labor, worker abuse and management cruety are some of the major themes.
It is very unfortunate event that this series is so popular.
The books make all adults appear to be either evil or too dumb to be worth considering.
The author appears to be somewhat deranged or separated ( crazy) from reality
due to some bad relationship with Beatrice or Beverly or somebody like that.
The children characters aren't smart enough to run away when they are abused or in danger
which appears to be most of the time as they are continually stalked by Count Olaf.
He tells us always at the beginning not to read it.
True to his promises he abuses us with his plots.

Really Good Book .......2007-04-12

Do you like adventures? Well this is the book for you. Read from the beginning of the book to the end. Count Olaf played all his dirty tricks to steal the Baudelaire fortune. Mr. Poe sends them to Paltryvile where they work at the lumber mill witch is no place for childern.Their new guardian is Sir but he is not very nice to them. So read on and find out if they leave the lumber mill. Recommended for ages nine and up.
Micheal
3 Grader
Created in Canvastic

andrew boisvert's review.......2007-03-15

I thought that "The Miserable Mill" was an excellent book. I've read the books of the series that came before "The Miserable Mill" and thought they were also good. So i know how the story usually ends up with count olaf killing their legal guardian and the beudalaires barely escaping. This book still kept me interested though. Such as when they were traveling through the eire forest and pulled up at Lucky Smells lumbermill. Or when they were by themselves to find the office in which their new legal guardian was in. I foud it surprising that the children were expected to work in the lumbermill. I also thought that phil and charles were very nice to the beudalaires, but that Foreman Flacutono and even their owner were mean to them. I thought it especially mean when Foreman Flacutono tripped klaus and broke his glasses. It was kind of neat how the building resembled an eye that Dr. Orwell worked at and he worked with stuff involving eyes. I found it kind of surprising that Count Olaf would actually be in disguise as a women. The conflict when the beudalaires almost had to live with shirly (count olaf in disguise)was kind of surprising, but the beudalaires got there way out of it by never making any mistakes again. I also thought it was exciting when klaus got hyonotized again and almost sawed charles in the wood cutting machine, but violet snapped him out of the hypnosis just in time. So all in all i found this book to be a great book with many exciting events.

andrew boisvert's reveiw.......2007-03-15

The Loathsome Library: A Box of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-6 (The Bad Beginning; The Reptile Room; The Wide Window; The Miserable Mill; The Austere Academy; The Ersatz Elevator)

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Unfortunate & Fabulous
Can It Get Any Worse?

The Loathsome Library: A Box of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-6 (The Bad Beginning; The Reptile Room; The Wide Window; The Miserable Mill; The Austere Academy; The Ersatz Elevator)
Lemony Snicket
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 006083353X
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Book Description

Readers incapable of running fast enough to escape Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events can breathe a sigh of relief now that the first six books of the series have been securely contained in a shrink-wrapped box disguised with exquisite Brett Helquist slip case art that will prevent this collection of woe from falling into the wrong hands.

Customer Reviews:

Unfortunate & Fabulous.......2007-01-09

This beginning series is great...it got me totally hooked to get the remaining books...a Harry Potteresque obession...fun reading, a great escape!

Can It Get Any Worse?.......2006-04-07

When I first started reading this series of books I was set back a little because these stories are not written in the style of typical children's books. These stories are dark, and the evil characters are truly evil. A number of reviewers have panned this series because they are dark, and because they often push the boundaries of what some of us may find acceptable for children to read. It is because of the dark imagery that I have typically recommended that age 9 be a minimum age. Some children may be unprepared for these books until later.

In the first three books in this series we learn that the three Baudelaire children, Sunny, the baby, Klaus, her brother, and Violet, a young teen, have lost their parents in a terrible fire. The children are sent to live with their evil uncle Olaf, who has ulterior motives yet to be revealed in later books. The children quickly learn how evil he is, and ultimately escape. They next go to live with their uncle Montgomery Montgomery in "The Reptile Room," only to be forced to move on again. In "The Wide Window" the children live with an aunt who is afraid of everything, only to ultimately be forced to move on again, continually chased by the evil Count Olaf in a variety of disguises.

In "The Miserable Mill" the Baudelaire orphans have moved to another relative, this one the owner of the Lucky Smells Lumbermill in the rundown town of Paltryville. The children toil in the lumber mill from the time they arrive in Paltryville. Soon they have splinters and are tired and hungry, because they get nothing for breakfast, almost nothing for lunch, and casserole for dinner. There are multiple labor and child abuse laws violated in this book, but perhaps it might make some readers more appreciative of what they have.

As has happened in the previous three books, the children are able, principally through their own efforts, to overcome the bad guys. Once again the children are on their way to another home.

Of the four books thus far, this one was my least favorite. The style of the books is such that bad things happen to these children on a regular basis, but in this book it seems as though bad things are happening to nearly everyone. This book is very depressing. I was also a bit annoyed with the extremes that the author went to in his exaggerations.

The fifth book in the saga implements several changes, all for the better. We are at Prufrock Academy, a boarding school, instead of with a relative. Secondly, the Baudelaires acquire two friends at this new school. There are additional positives. They actually get to eat, they get to study, and they get to read. For a moment you might actually think that things are looking up for the Baudelaires. Ah, but for those familiar with the series, you know that can't be true.

If the Baudelaires violate any of a series of bizarre rules they must endure a series of equally bizarre punishments relating to their meals. Included in this list of punishments is loss of silverware, loss of a cup, though you still get your drink, it's just in a puddle on your tray, and even having your hands tied behind your back at mealtime.

As you have probably also guessed, Count Olaf does eventually show up, but does not immediately try to kidnap the children. The children try to figure out his scheme all the way up to the point where he does execute his scheme, and I can say no more or you will miss all the fun.

In "The Ersatz Elevator" the Baudelaire orphans move in with a non-relative in a penthouse apartment. While you might think that a penthouse apartment (which has something like 71 bedrooms) and kitchens, and sitting rooms, and on and on, would be a lovely place to live, you would be thinking wrong.

This time the problem is that Esme Squalor (the sixth most important financial advisor in the city) and her husband Jerome must have everything "in". Esme must go to only the "in" restaurants; she must wear only "in" clothes, which includes the children, and on and on. Unfortunately, being "in" also means multiple compromises in terms of comfort. For example, the penthouse is on the top of a building with 66 stories, and elevators are "out". So the Squalors and the Baudelaires must walk up and down the 66 stories each time the go in to and out from the building. They certainly received sufficient exercise. Before I forget, orphans are also "in".

Of course, we know that Count Olaf must eventually show up, and he does. However, there is a mystery. We find that Count Olaf went up to the apartment and did not later leave the building. Therein lays the crux of the mystery for this story.

This box set is a great way to collect this series if you have found that you like the unconventional way the Lemony Snicket has written these books. I recommend them cautiously, and principally for children 8 or 9 or above.

Series of Unfortunate Events Set #1-#4: Bad Beginning; Reptile Room; Wide Window; Miserable Mill (No Box)

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Series of Unfortunate Events

Series of Unfortunate Events Set #1-#4: Bad Beginning; Reptile Room; Wide Window; Miserable Mill (No Box)
Lemony Snicket , and Daniel Handler
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Customer Reviews:

Series of Unfortunate Events.......2005-01-27

These books are absolutely wonderful for children that don't really care to read AND for children who do enjoy reading! They help children expand their vocabularies and give grammar lessons - all under the guise of a great adventure tale!

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The Miserable Mill
Lemony Snicket
Manufacturer: Trophy Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 4)

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The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 4)
Lemony; Helquist, Brett Snicket
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

The Miserable Mill - A Series Of Unfortunate Events - Book The Fourth

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The Miserable Mill - A Series Of Unfortunate Events - Book The Fourth
Lemony; Illustrated by Helquist, Brett Snicket
Manufacturer: Harper-collins Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Seeking shelter: tent camping can be a lot of fun, or it can be miserable; it all depends on the tent. Choosing a tent is one of the most important decisions ... can make. : An article from: Camping Life

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Seeking shelter: tent camping can be a lot of fun, or it can be miserable; it all depends on the tent. Choosing a tent is one of the most important decisions ... can make. : An article from: Camping Life
Bruce W. Smith , and Larry Walton
Manufacturer: Ehlert Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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ASIN: B000ALR6KG
Release Date: 2005-07-25

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Camping Life, published by Ehlert Publishing Group on June 1, 2005. The length of the article is 1748 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Seeking shelter: tent camping can be a lot of fun, or it can be miserable; it all depends on the tent. Choosing a tent is one of the most important decisions a camper can make.
Author: Bruce W. Smith
Publication: Camping Life (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 1, 2005
Publisher: Ehlert Publishing Group
Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Page: 48(12)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

A Series of Unfortunate Events #1-5 (Bad Beginning, Reptile Room, Wide Window, Miserable Mill, Austere Academy) (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Vol. 1-5)

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A Series of Unfortunate Events #1-5 (Bad Beginning, Reptile Room, Wide Window, Miserable Mill, Austere Academy) (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Vol. 1-5)
Lemony Snicket
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Nicholas Kaldor (1908-1986) was one of this century's most original thinkers on economics, his influence on British economic policy second only to that of Keynes. This book traces the development of Kaldor's thought as it underwent a remarkable evolution from his membership of the Austrian neoclassical school to his embracing of radical Keynesianism. He was also extremely quick to grasp essential changes in economic reality and to forge analytical tools to explain them. Although he was innovative from 1938 onwards, much of his seminal work belongs to a coherent project of research which made him, together with Joan Robinson and Michal Kalecki, a leading representative of the post-Keynesian school, an outstanding critic of the neoclassical theory of equilibrium, growth, and distribution, and a convinced opponent of the monetarist school. The book also seeks to show how economic policy and political economy were closely connected in Kaldor's work. It was this that made Kaldor one of the most lucid and radical champions of the economic policies which, by blending political freedom with social justice, have been the outstanding feature of the great European tradition of social democracy.

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