A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Penultimate Peril

The twelfth and most appropriately titled book in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Evetns, The Penultimate Peril is, without a doubt, the most rollicking and exciting book of the entire series. It’s packed with disguises, surprises, tricks, unexpected challenges, and familiar faces. 

With the dastardly Count Olaf in possession of the Medusoid Mycelium, a dangerous weapon, it becomes ever more crucial for the Baudelaire children to assist the volunteers in finding the sugar bowl. Now disguised as concierges at the last safe place, the Hotel Denouement, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny begin their newly appointed task of being flaneurs and observing all the guests at the hotel to discover wether they are friends or foes. Whilst doing their duties as noble volunteers, the children encounter a number of surprises, both wonderful and treacherous. 

As I mentioned before, this has to be the most exciting book of the series, simply for the fact that there is a resurgence of so, so many familiar faces, going all the way back to The Bad Beginning. By the time you get to this book, you’ve kind of given up on hoping that there will be answers and closure to the numerous mysteries that surround the heroes and heroines, and you’re just really along for the ride. 

I have to say, though, that this book had much more of a comedy edge to it, almost like chaotic scenes that can be seen in movies. There was something about the way that this was written that took on a lighter, more comedic atmosphere, which wasn’t really in keeping with the grim setting of the story, but was effective in relieving the reader from the more dramatic and sinister parts of the book. Case in point; during the climactic escape of both the Baudelaires and Olaf, whilst tumbling through the sky, Olaf cries out “Mommy”, which is a comedy tact that works on a more junior audience, and can be easily visualised, but seems a bit out of place in a book that is just slightly more mature. Do you see what I’m trying to say? Anyway, that’s just my take on it. 

Filled with disguises, surprises, tricks, treachery, thills, spills, mysteries, and heaps of familiar faces, The Penultimate Peril is a great read that’s as quick and easy to get through as any of its predecessors. I think it possibly could be my favourite book of the lot.