Daniel Handler, pen name Lemony Snicket, (born February 28, 1970, San Francisco, California, U.S.), American author best known for his A Series of Unfortunate Events, a 13-book collection of unhappy morality tales for older children that was published between 1999 and 2006. Handler wrote the series under the pen name Lemony Snicket.
Handler deftly served as Snicket’s representative at book events, regaling his listeners with the travails of Snicket as well as entertaining them with accordion music and dire tales about danger lurking in the most unlikely places. A favourite story recounted how a bug had bitten Snicket in his armpit and prevented him from appearing. Handler also warned readers not to read or purchase the Snicket books because they featured unhappy beginnings, middles, and endings.
Eventually, he published his debut novel in 1999, The Basic Eight. The novel was rejected repeatedly before its publication for its sarcastic tone and treatment of a dark subject matter. It features the character of Flannery Culp, imprisoned for murdering school fellow and a teacher. The book is in the form of journal entries that progress toward the murders. In nature, the novel seems like a social satire which according to some critics was its strength and also its weakness. Handler’s second effort, Watch Your Mouth, also garnered mix reviews for its controversial content. The book is a complex blend of modern sexuality and Jewish mythology in an operatic setting.
Afterwards, Handler was approached by an editor to compose story for younger audience. He reluctantly accepted the task writing under the pseudonym, Lemony Snicket as he produced A Series of Unfortunate Events. Lemony Snicket is the narrator of the story of three Baudelaire children. These three orphans are reported to have fallen to an ill fate following their parents’ death and losing their house. The miseries in their life are brought on by their cousin Count Olaf. Each book in the series seems to intensify the theme of misery and distress.
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