And Then? And Then? What Else?

By: Daniel Handler

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

YOU NEVER LOVE A BOOK THE WAY YOU LOVE A BOOK WHEN YOU ARE TEN.

Writing as Lemony Snicket, Daniel Handler has led several generations of young readers into that special and curious space of being hopelessly lost, and joyfully finding yourself, in the essential strangeness of literature. The wondrous and perilous journey of the Baudelaire orphans sprung from the author’s own path, from his childhood discovery of Baudelaire’s poetry through the countless peculiarities of his pursuit of a literary life—abject failure and startling success, breakthrough and breakdown, concordance and controversy—lit along the way by the books and culture he loved best.

At once a personal memoir and a literary exploration, a how-to book and a critical inquiry, a sequence of stories and a series of events, And Then? And Then? What Else? is a book not just for anyone curious about the creator of Lemony Snicket, but for anyone who loved books when they were a child, and still loves them now.

©2024 David Handler (P)2024 Recorded Books

Insightful and Delightful

An absolute jewel. Lively, funny, sad, and, above all, humane. Handler's unique approach to writing, reading, and literature (for all ages) is simply a joy from beginning to end. Aside from a compelling life story of his own, Handler offers a refreshing and abiding respect for children who, like their adult counterparts, live rich interior lives, a fact not often evident in a literary culture that ceaselessly churns out cynical and formulaic "young adult literature." The writing, too, is energetic, quirky, and creative. Although I listened to the Audible version, I have ordered a hard copy for use in following up on the wonderful list of literary works he cites. Of course, it'll also be fun to revisit some of the truly insightful passages on the value and meaning of art and literature and its place in the human experience.

Don't do it

I am in awe of lemony Snickett, it is unfortunate that he resides within the mind of Daniel Handler. So much of this book was a rambling disjointed mess, both preachy and creepy pompous and pretentious.

This is the only Daniel Handler book I've read perhaps I would be open to trying another but I really would rather stick to Snickett at this point.