I finished this yesterday, mostly listening to the audiobook so I have no annotations this time around . It’s hard to explain just how much this book kinda strikes a balance between warmth and heartbreak. From the beginning, there’s this brief sense of hope for the Baudelaires but we're reminded multiple times that this is going to be a temporary repreive. Uncle Monty’s home feels so inviting, and for the first time since their parents’ deaths, they get to experience kindness and even joy. The way Monty welcomes them into his little world of reptiles and like he's not an absent but kind guardian because he kinda sees them for who they are and even encourages them to pursue their interests. You want so badly for this to be their happily ever after, but of course, it’s Lemony Snicket, and nothing stays safe for long.
Stefano being Olaf is like so obvious but of course, Poe decides to disregard what the kids say yet again.This pattern of adults failing them is infuriating, but it also feels deliberate? It’s such a painful reminder of how often children aren’t believed, no matter how logical or articulate they are. Mr Poe, as always, is useless, and even Monty who I genuinely liked just brushes off their fears as childish imagination. It’s such a recurring theme but also kinda important too because how often do we see kids being shooed off for speaking 'rubbish'
There’s this heartbreaking simplicity to how Monty's death is written. One moment, he’s planning an exciting trip to Peru, full of life and enthusiasm, and the next, he’s gone. It’s so cruel and abrupt, but that’s exactly what makes it feel real. Life doesn’t pause for grief and seeing the Baudelaires process their loss while still trying to outwit Olaf was just devastating.
And of course, Olaf escapes yet again and the kids aren't even allowed a proper goodbye to the place they'd so come to love. It's really heartbreaking but also love that they got to experience some warmth through Monty because if they keep getting shifted around this way, I think it's quite essential for them to know that they're wanted and not every guardian is an Olaf. I think what I love most about this book (and maybe series as a whole) is how it captures the complexity of growing up. The Baudelaires are forced to navigate a world where good people don’t always win, and bad people often go unpunished. It’s such a heavy theme for a children’s book, but it’s handled so deftly, with just enough humour and absurdity to make it bearable.