Daniel Handler:
Frightening News

‘Under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket, I write

books for children. The books chronicle the troubles of the three

Baudelaire siblings, who lose their parents in a terrible fire and are

constantly on the run from the villainous Count Olaf. “If you are looking for

happy endings,” I warn in the first volume, “you would be better off

reading some other book.”

Since Sept. 11, interviewers have asked me if it is appropriate to tell such

stories, when there are plenty of real orphans and villains to worry about.

The answer, judging from the hundreds of e-mail messages and letters I

have received, is that it is more than appropriate; it is necessary.’

Let’s not banish the ghouls and goblins just when we need them most. NY Times [“FMHreader”, “FMHreader”] [Readers of FmH have heard reference to my family’s dedication to the tradition of reading aloud. Coincidentally enough, my son and I started the first of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events books last week. Highly recommended.]