Synopsis: Daniel Handler, a.k.a. Lemony Snicket, invites readers to sit down and get to know the person behind A Series of Unfortunate Events and other beloved books. And Then? And Then? What Else? joins the ranks of other great writers’ memoirs like On Writing by Stephen King and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Handler deftly weaves events from his life with writing advice and the art that influenced him as a writer; both as Daniel Handler and under the alias of Lemony Snicket. This book is sure to be a favorite for those who want to know about their favorite author, and those hoping to glean a few pieces of writing wisdom.

My Thoughts: The Bad Beginning was published when I was ten years old. In many ways I felt like I grew up with the Baudelaire orphans. As I read each book the series left its mark in my imagination, and I became fascinated with the reclusive author Lemony Snicket. Then I grew up, and the mystery dissipated as I realized that the author was the same man who kept appearing at schools and on television. Then I became fascinated by the real person of Daniel Handler. What sort of mind concocts these stories, and then adds a layer of mystery by pretending the author is someone else all together? Thanks to And Then? And Then? What Else? I finally had the chance to find out.

This book is not a normal memoir in which the author recounts their life from past to present, tagging on meaningful bits of life advice. Instead the book reads more like a love letter to books and writing, that just so happens to tie in to the author’s life. He talks at length about Les Fleurs du mal by Charles Baudelaire, the man who gave his name to the Baudelaire orphans and inspired Handler. He ties many of the poems back to the points he is making, and these points vary greatly. He talks about misogyny and feminism, the mystery and magic of story for story’s sake, and many other points. There are dozens of other books mentioned throughout as well, and I found myself making a TBR list of all the fascinating works Handler mentions. 

The section I found most impactful was near the end in which the author discusses what gives a book merit. Hundreds of thousands of words have been written trying to pinpoint exactly what makes one book worthy of the Nobel Prize and another worthy of the clearance rack at Target. Handler breaks it all down and says that whatever bibliography has shaped the reader are great books. As a reader it is freeing when someone important tells you to read whatever you want. Don’t read to please or impress anyone else. 

There were a few moments that gave me pause while reading, only because of who Daniel Handler is. As a writer for young people I found some of the content in And Then? And Then? What Else? concerning. A few different passages are devoted to recounting Handler’s past sex life, as well as drug and alcohol abuse. All of these passages related directly back to the book’s message but it might be shocking if a lover of A Series of Unfortunate Events picks this up and is greeted by these passages before they’re ready. 

Overall, I thought this was a great book and I’m thankful I had the opportunity to review it ahead of publication. I strongly recommend fans of Handler/Snicket pick this up, and anyone else who loves to write, or even hear about an artist’s creative process.