Like many child readers in my generation, A Series of Unfortunate Events was formative for me. Lemony Snicket was an uncanny figure in my developing mind, a mysterious person who somehow existed in both real life and in the gothically fantastical world of the Baudelaires. This blur between fiction and reality was absolutely thrilling to me.

Zoom forward to now. I’m an emerging writer looking for some guidance. My prefrontal cortex is fully developed (I think). Now, in steps the man behind all the magic (Daniel Handler!) and he writes things this grown-up version of me finds thrilling, too!

He talks about words and books and music and life experiences and society in such a humble, honest, and insightful way. I walked away with tidbits and tools that I’ll apply to my own writing, and I also walked away with plenty of enticing musical and literary recommendations. Definitely want to put this in the hands of all former child Lemony Snicket fans. May we all grow up to be fans of Daniel Handler, as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher!

As someone who read A Series of Unfortunate Events at a very formative age, I was excited to read Daniel Handler's latest series of essays—and though I think there could have been more fleshing out at certain points, I was not disappointed.

Handler's distinct windy and whimsical writing is on full display in And Then? And Then? What Else? It's not a linear collection, but instead Handler picks through his various points of his life, from childhood to adulthood, and examines the moments that helped shape him as a writer.

I love reading about how his mind words—the way he talks about engaging with literature and words is just fascinating. But I think the biggest point for me was that I felt like Handler could have dived in a little deeper in certain places. He'd either skirt over something, briefly mention it, and then just move on while I was still reeling from whatever he wrote.

Overall, I really enjoyed And Then? And Then? What Else? and was thrilled to have gotten an opportunity to read an arc.

The real Lemony Snicket is like a smutty, tubby singsong Patrick Bateman (lunatic has to be the most used word in this book after all) and I want to marry him as much. The dry humor with observational, absurd-(un)spooling run-ons is as present here in memoir as his fiction. (I’ve read all 13 Series of Unfortunate Events, the secret half issue, The Unauthorized Autobio, Watch Your Mouth and All the Dirty Parts). I forever love his personification: remorse being a lice-scraping beggar, a library mulling over and spitting out its display cases, cutting book ideas down to PJs, index cards forming little party cliques. As useful as Stephen King’s On Writing but far more fun.

Onto the neat meat and potatoes: Big man hails from San Fran and yes the Unfortunate Baudelaire kids are named after the Flowers of Evil poet he read when he was also 12. Movie producers didn’t like any of his 9 Unfortunate scripts even though he started as a critic, so then fired him. Then offered to re-hire him but by the time he flew back, they said never mind, let’s get your input for free. He also doesn’t like sugary humdrum writing or pretentious talk of a process. He just knows what he likes and Frankenstein-stitches together the ironic inspo. It’s relieving he says he looks back on his published work and sees all he could’ve done better when I hear so few other artists admit it. Yet what’s pleasing is the traceable time capsule of his influences in such.

The goal is to be interesting in the confounding confidence of the prose. To quote a quote: “writing that unsettles the reader’s historical, cultural, psychological assumptions, the consistency of his tastes, values, memories, brings to a crisis his relation with language.” Which at times also makes me question if this book is half fictional like Bret Easton Ellis’ Lunar Park. Especially when the author mentions, in college, he would hallucinate the pasty creatures from his dreams he’d assist w/ in murdering. He’d seize bad right on campus and not be able to even read signs for months! Drs thought he may be schitzo and this worsened by a cycle of not sleeping.

Much of this book is him deciphering texts and pointing out his fav tidbits and how they relate to his philosophy. Sparingly sprinkled is his concrete history (given how enigmatic Lemony is—go figure). I do like the bits of how his father and uncle were affected by the holocaust to remind us how recent that was and the candidness of saying his family probably slightly embellished stories of selling everything and stowing away diamonds in shoes to escape camps—because my family certainly would.

In his terse, uniquely earnest style, we learn of his molestation at a museum, disturbing phrases from high school friends that inspired his not-exactly-for-children’s books. We—and this part is flity , could use more filling in—see the first two Unfortunate books were no immediate success. His two books before that were meagerly supported by agents and audiences but enough to build a stir. People were intrigued by his theatrical presence on stage: an enigmatic accordion player pretending not to be the author.

More so, we hear about all he speculates about his parents though he was never an orphan like his books. He’s fascinated by marriage secrets. Thus, he prank-scribbles lies for friends in honeymoon cards, witnesses affairs at parties, is curious about the ex at his father’s funeral or his mother’s unaddressed late first husband to inspire his relationship stories. We also learn he seemed to start with only vague and maybe queer ideas about a count for a book called A Series of Unfortunate Events—and his pen name came from something he blurted on a prank phone call.

It’s as abrupt as it sounds: being 14 in gay clubs no one kicks him out of and instead call him sexy and offer drugs or their mouths. These blips often raise more questions than they answer. What he does seek to remedy though is a few of his small public speaking scandals that always seemed to involve well-meaning jokes and bitter writers with bad reviews. Though oftentimes his Cali college male feminism seems suspiciously heavy handed so I see their reservations—yet he’s a pretty (lovably) honest pervert so I don’t see what skeletons could be unearthed.

Not every single essay in this collection is a winner, but there are some great ones sprinkled in. I know it'll still be a hit in our library so we will buy a few copies to start.

Not every essay in this book hits, but when it hits, it HITS. I will always be intensely captivated by Daniel Handler’s authorial voice (as himself and as Lemony Snicket) and I really enjoyed some of the more focused chapters of this narrative, especially the ones that circled around the epicenter of the point and became clear in the last few paragraphs. I appreciate the honesty of the work as well, for better or for worse, and I truly loved the philosophical elements as the work became almost an annotated bibliography of sorts.

And Then? And Then? What Else? is a very interesting book about Daniel Handler, also known as Lemony Snicket, and his personal catalog of books, movies, and music. Handler weaves his writing process throughout as he discusses his personal life. He talks about the books, poems, writers, movies, and music that are meaningful to him and explains how certain things have stuck with him over time and ended up in his own work, which was really interesting to read about. It also includes very personal stories from his own life, including some information about controversies that he has been involved in more recently. It was done very thoughtfully and was respectful to the subjects, I thought. This will definitely appeal to fans of Daniel Handler, especially people who enjoyed Why We Broke Up or The Basic Eight, as the writing is quite similar. There are snippets that sound like Lemony Snicket, but don't go into this book thinking it will be like a Series of Unfortunate Events, as it is something else entirely. People who enjoy reading about the writing process are certain to enjoy this one as well.

I grew up reading A Series of Unfortunate Events and fell in love with what would happen next. I loved how they were written and all of the quirky names and the writing of the books. One of the great things that this shares is the authenticity. The writing just feels so genuine and sincere. If you loved A Series of Unfortunate Events, this is a read for you.

Thank you, NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Entertaining and accessible. A recommended purchase for collections where memoirs and writing craft titles are popular.

Stars = Sometimes 3.5, sometimes 4. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

⇉ At one point, Handler uses 'sui generis' -- "The adjective sui generis is Latin, meaning literally, 'of its own kind.' Anything sui generis is its own thing; there's nothing else like it." -- Uh, yeah, that about sums this work up. This is just as kooky and odd as aSoUE; reading from a physical book would have benefited me better, I think, though. Certain books are like that (for me, at least). It's almost like reading System of a Down lyrics as a book, lol IDEK. I can in the very least NOT recommend reading this on a Kindle, because the formatting is horrid. Heads up.

⇉ I do have to say I appreciate that we're learning how commonplace it is for celebrities to check themselves into places of betterment, that the stigma is getting more and more removed. Always helps knowing you're not alone in your truth.

★ [ Insert Jim’s 'this-really-got-away-from-me' and Mike 'IDK-wtf-that-was' .gif from "The Office" ] 😅

→ “I got interested in this kind of juxtaposition, the way words and phrases could sit on the page and influence each other and the reader, without making exact strict sense.” ~ Handler quote
→ “It’s the same feeling when you’re completely immersed in a good book and then, at the conclusion of a chapter or the intrusion of a noise, blink your way back to real life.” ~ Handler quote

Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company/Liveright for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket) is publishing an autobiography/memoir/notes on craft. Like many of his works, sprawling through the years I have interacted with him as an author, I devoured the book and the way he plays with words. It's an interesting look into his mind, his thoughts on form and craft, censorship for children and his own personal struggles.

Read for his notes on form and inspiration and stay for his chapter on Prince’s legacy. Expected publication May 21, 2024

As a fan of Daniel Handler's work as Lemony Snicket since childhood, I was eager to pick this up. Handler explores the many cultural touchstones that have influenced his work. He delves into deeply personal events and topics with open frankness. His style is fairly loose and he rarely spends significant time on particular events or works.

This would be excellent for fans of Stephen King's On Writing. However, this was not for me. Unfortunately, the nonchronological, stream of consciousness structure didn't work for me and I found it difficult to finish. It did inspire me to return to A Series of Unfortunate Series as an adult which has been great fun.

This is such a fun read. With bite sized poetry like paragraphs that give you much to chew on, this memoir is a gift for all the readers that loved and grew up on the cadence of Lemony Snicket.

Have you ever wanted to purchase a shrink ray, use on yourself, and crawl inside someone's brain to experience them more in depth? That's what this book feels like, in a good way. This book is a stream of consciousness memoir of beloved author Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler, including ramblings on his favorite books and music and life experiences.

I'd recommend this book to people who love to understand how others' operate.

3.5 rounded up

As a kid, I was completely obsessed with A Series of Unfortunate Events, so I was thrilled when my request to read Daniel Handler’s new memoir was approved. It felt nostalgic to read his voice again, this time as a grown-up in a grown-up context. Frankly, I wish more memoirs were written like Handler’s- rather than a narrative, it’s presented as almost a collage of influences brought together in a stream-of-consciousness writing style, almost a literary equivalent of a mix tape. His thesis of creating your own canon rather than adhering to what The Literary Canon tells you to read/watch/consume really spoke to me, and gave me a newfound appreciation of my own influences, as someone who also finds solace and attachment in media. It was good to hear from Lemony Snicket again, I’m glad he’s doing well.

Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC!

As a fan of Daniel Handler, I really was excited to read this part memoir, part insights from Daniel Handler about writing and art. It was fascinating and a speed read for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be purchasing a physical copy once it's sold in stores.

daniel handler aka lemony snicket speaks writes a clever memoir. recalling his early childhood to his adulthood. it was an honor to have gotten to know one of my favorite childhood authors. at times heartbreaking as he shares his medical condition that haunted him as a child. so honored to have read this memoir early.

I want to start by saying I am so thankful to read this ARC. I loved A Series of Unfortunate Events as a child and continue to read the series every now and then, so it is an honor to be able to read an early copy of Lemony Snicket/ Daniel Handler's work.

And Then? And Then? What Else? is such a thought provoking and very personal memoir. Handler is authentic and really opens up about the events unfortunate and fortunate that shaped the way he chooses to write and present himself. I will say I have not had the pleasure of reading any of Daniel Handler's work aside from this novel and I am making it a point to do so immediately. I have loved everything he wrote as Lemony Snicket, so I know I will appreciate it.

This was such a great memoir to read, that will stick with me awhile.

And Then? And Then? What Else? Peels back at the identity of a man often known by his alias and a series of unfortunate novels about a sad trio of children. As a fan of his work, I greatly enjoyed getting to hear about some of the scraps of life that have inspired his own literary canon. From scribbles notes to snippets of music and books references galore, Handler gives an honest glimpse into the life and mind of a writer inspired by the world around him. He asks us to meet the world with curiosity and the occasional boredom, and to of course always carry a notebook for when inspiration strikes. In particular, I loved his recommendation to other writers to construct their personal literary canon as a means to craft and understand their own work.

There are pieces of brilliance and insight in this, but I found myself pretty confused about what exactly it’s supposed to be. Part memoir, part media criticism, with a dash of writing advice? It’s almost entirely stream of consciousness, and I’m not sure I really understand why certain things were included or how they are meant to connect. Some of this I found very compelling and some was dull, preachy, or (ironically) a bit problematic. Maybe I’m missing the point in wishing this had a little more intention and structure.

i was an Unfortunate Events kid, so this appealed to me knowing that i knew nothing about this mysterious author with the sordid stories. i think that as an adult, handler and i have more in common than i realized, and if anything, i think he’s not mysterious and now i can see him as a friend. great jarmusch-directed book – quite a fortunate event.

many thanks to w.w. norton & company and netgalley for the advance reader copy.