This is the eighth book in the A Series of Unfortunate Events collection. The books follow the misadventures of the Baudelaire orphans as they escape from Count Olaf, who makes his living by killing families and children by setting their homes on fire to steal their fortunes. The Baudelaires prove too smart for his schemes though, because Violet is a fine inventor, Klaus is a fine reader and Sunny (the baby) is a fine biter and recently a fine chef!
Their lives since their parents died have been a series of miserable adventures, where not one of the adults who are supposed to take care of them do a good job. Count Olaf disguises himself and he either murders the Baudelaires' guardians, or sends them running. We know all this, because Lemony Snicket is researching the lives of the Baudelaires, and one of the most charming aspects of the books are he tantalizing tidbits he drops of HIS adventures and connections with Count Olaf.
The Baudelairse have been hiding in plain sight as freaks in the Carnival, while Olaf has been getting hints about the kids whereabouts from Madame Lulu, a fortune teller. Everyone is looking for the Snicket File which may contain information about who survived the fire in the Baudelaire mansion. The kids have hope that one of their parents is alive. They also want to know about V.F.D. which can mean many, many things. However, Olaf proves too wily for the kids this time and the ending of The Carnivorous Carnival is truly heartbreaking.
The theme of this book is whether trying to please everyone is a good thing since, if you give everyone what they want, you may end up giving in to the desires of murderous people like Olaf. It also teaches us to not give in to what other people expect of us, just because you are freaky doesn't mean you can't function in society. It also talks about how people enjoy violence and messy eating, which is a good definition of "Reality TV" as any.
I can't explain the charm of these books without mentioning just how clever they are. The writing is witty and super smart. There's a lot for the adults to enjoy, they are the most mature children's book you'll ever read. They are complex, and funny, and sad, and wonderful. You'll fall in love, I guarantee it.
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