A Series of Unfortunate Events #6: The Ersatz Elevator Hardback - 2001
by Lemony Snicket; Brett Helquist (Illustrator); Michael Kupperman (Illustrator)
In their most daring misadventure, the Baudelaire orphans are adopted by a very rich couple whose penthouse apartment is located close to the place where the orphans' misfortune all began. This sixth book in "A Series of Unfortunate Events" finds the children experiencing a darkened staircase, a red herring, and more.
Reader reviews for A Series of Unfortunate Events #6: The Ersatz Elevator
Review summary
Readers were broadly positive about this sixth installment, with many calling it a series high point thanks to sharper humor, faster pacing, and substantial revelations that deepen the overarching mystery. Sunny’s ingenuity drew particular praise, while Esmé was widely disliked and Jerome’s passivity exasperated many. A notable minority, however, reported fatigue with the series’ recurring formula and found the physics-defying elevator sequences too implausible, dampening their enjoyment. Overall, enthusiasm rose for the expanding mythos even as some chafed at repetition.
Readers say this book is:
engagingfunnyinventiverevealingescalating tensionformulaicover-the-topfrustrating adultsmixed receptionseries fatigueThe Ersatz Elevator is the sixth book in A Series of Unfortunate Events by American author, Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler). As we once again join the unlucky Baudelaire orphans, they are deposited by their banker, the constantly coughing Mr Poe, at 667 Dark Avenue, into the hands of their new guardians, Jerome and Esme Squalor. Esme is a rather forceful woman who is a dedicated follower of fashion, while Jerome never likes to argue, with anyone. Having already suffered the loss of their parents, the threat of marriage, slave labour, hypnosis, a terrible boarding school, and the murder of their Uncle Monty and Aunt Josephine at the hands of the evil Count Olaf and his nefarious assistants, the siblings are ever-vigilant of his reappearance. Luckily these well-mannered and uncomplaining children are also very resourceful: Violet invents, Klaus researches and Sunny bites. Snicket’s tone throughout is apologetic, sincere and matter-of-fact as he relates the unfortunate events in the children’s lives; his imaginative and even surreptitiously educational style will hold much appeal for younger readers. Snicket’s word and phrase definitions are often hilarious. This instalment sees the Baudelaires climbing a lot of stairs (and occasionally sliding down bannisters), forced to wear ill-fitting pinstripe suits, drinking aqua martinis and parsley sodas, eating at Café Salmonella, climbing up and down a lift shaft, being thrown down a lift shaft, and improvising ropes and welding equipment, all the while worrying about their kidnapped friends, the Quagmire triplets. Count Olaf once again manages to fool the adults with a simple disguise involving a monocle, high boots and improper English. Sunny uses her teeth to save the day and surprises everyone by bidding at an auction. As always, the alliterative titles are delightful and Brett Helquist provides some wonderfully evocative illustrations. Where will the orphans end up next? Perhaps the seventh installment, The Vile Village, will shed light on their fate.
CloggieDownunder
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From the publisher
From the rear cover
In their most daring misadventure, the Baudelaire orphans are adopted by very, very rich people, whose penthouse apartment is located mysteriously close to the place where all their misfortune began. Even though their new home in the city is fancy, and the children are clever and charming, I′m sorry to say that still, the unlucky orphans will encounter more disaster and woe. In fact, in this sixth book in A Series of Unfortunate Events, the children will experience a darkened staircase, a red herring, an auction, parsley soda, some friends in a dire situation, a secret passageway, and pinstripe suits.
Both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted, A Series of Unfortunate Events offers an exquisitely dark comedy in the tradition of Edward Gorey and Roald Dahl. Lemon Snicket′s uproariously unhappy books continue to win readers, despite all his warning.
Ages 10+
Details
- Title A Series of Unfortunate Events #6: The Ersatz Elevator
- Author Lemony Snicket; Brett Helquist (Illustrator); Michael Kupperman (Illustrator)
- Binding Hardback
- Edition First Edition
- Pages 272
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher HarperCollins, New York
- Publication date 2001-02-20
- Illustrated Yes
- Features Illustrated
- ISBN 9780064408646 / 0064408647
- Weight 0.65 lbs (0.29 kg)
- Dimensions 7.1 x 5 x 1 in (18.03 x 12.70 x 2.54 cm)
- Age range 08 to 12 years
- Grade levels 3 - 7
- Reading level 1110
-
Themes
- Holiday: Halloween
- Category Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction
- Library of Congress subjects Brothers and sisters, Humorous stories
- Library of Congress Catalogue Number 00044950
- Dewey Decimal Code FIC
Media reviews
Citations
- Booklist, 08/01/2001, Page 2122
- Hornbook Guide to Children, 01/01/2001, Page 316
- School Library Journal, 08/01/2001, Page 188
- Voice of Youth Advocates, 12/01/2001, Page 364
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The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 6) (A Series of Unfortunate Events, 6)
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