The Bad Beginning, A Multi-Voice Recording Audiobook By Lemony Snicket cover art

The Bad Beginning, A Multi-Voice Recording

A Series of Unfortunate Events #1

Preview
Season's Savings

$0.99/mo for 3 months

Audible Standard auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Get this deal
Offer ends on December 28, 2026.
More purchase options

The Bad Beginning, A Multi-Voice Recording

By: Lemony Snicket
Narrated by: Tim Curry
Get this deal

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends December 28, 2026. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $16.19

Buy for $16.19

Season's Savings | $0.99/mo for 3 months

$8.99/mo thereafter—terms apply.

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

Like a car alarm, bagpipe music, or a doorbell ringing in the middle of the night, hearing this audio edition of The Bad Beginning will only upset you. This unique multi-voice recording brings the first book in Lemony Snicket's alarming A Series of Unfortunate Events to such terrible life that no one should really have to experience it. Unless you have an ear for such ghastly details as a tragic fire, a nefarious villain, itchy clothing, and cold porridge for breakfast, all narrated in chilly detail by the distinguished, and disturbed, Tim Curry with a team of talented readers, you would be better off listening to something else.

Family Life Growing Up & Facts of Life Humorous Fiction Literature & Fiction Parenting & Families Relationships Funny Witty
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1

Featured Article: The top 100 kids books of all time


Listening to a story is the first way that we’re introduced to books as kids. And while our parents and grandparents (and babysitters and siblings!) are no doubt wonderful narrators who left indelible marks on our bookish hearts, the performances featured on this list elevate these stories to new heights. Representing listens for kids ages 0-12, and featuring animals, magical creatures, awkward middle schoolers, and more, our kids essentials will help you rediscover the magic of childhood.

Engaging Plot • Dark Humor • Excellent Narration • Clever Vocabulary • Unpredictable Storyline • Educational Elements

Highly rated for:

All stars
Most relevant
I came back to this book having listened to it as a child and loving it and was hugely disappointed to find that they had drowned out Tim Curry’s wonderful narration with a bunch of unnecessary and LOUD sound effects. They also replaced a lot of Curry’s narration with other actors-if I want the Netflix version I am perfectly capable of watching the Netflix series. I would have liked to have the option of buying the original version of this audiobook as it was really wonderful.

Why ruin a good narration?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The background noise is a little too loud for me. It makes it hard to listen. What a kind if inappropriate story, too. I forgot about that.

Stranger than I Remember

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I really loved this book! I found it interesting without being confusing! I would NOT recommend reading this at night, You may feel like Count Olff is coming behind you! Mildly scary so Take that in consideration. It's one flaw, so much words to be defined, which is great, but gets a bit boring, then you get used to it s you go on! Overall, it's a great next series after things like Harry Potter, (Please read ) And Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus, (Again, really great books) If you are wondering about more, check out common sense media, but make sure it's the book not movie or tv show which are a bit more intense!

Great beginning to great series!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you listen to The Bad Beginning, A Multi-Voice Recording again? Why?

Yes, many times - it was amazing

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yep

Any additional comments?

It was a really great listen - we listened to this book all the way from GA to CO and were never bored - just sorry when it ended and really sorry to hear that the second Lemony Snickets is unavailable in to audible listeners. Hope that changes soon - we'd love to hear it.

Wonderful Story and Awesome narrative performances

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

We really enjoyed this recording with multiple voices and background noises to infer what was happening.

Loved it! Worth every cent.

A fun recording worth the extra price

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews