10 Questions with Lemony Snicket

Investigative children from Politics & Prose probe Lemony Snicket with a nefarious 10 Questions...

Renee Anderson, no age given: Why did Jerome marry Esme?

There are two main reasons that people marry. The first is that the two eople are in love. The second is that one person has tricked the other
one into marrying them for a nefarious purpose, a word which here means in order to gain access to a secret passage."

Anonymous, age 9: Is your real name Lemony Snicket?

Yes. Is your real name "Anonymous, age 9"?

Betsy Jenner, age 10: Are you better from the bug bite now?

Yes, thank you, although I do seem to encounter hostile insects immediately before many scheduled bookstore appearances.

Matt, age 11: Why do you play the accordion?

It is easier to transport than a celeste or a harmonium.

Lauren, age 9: Why can't you have your face in a picture- are you very ugly?

I have been told that I am not particularly ugly by several people with fairly good eyesight. In any case, my face always appears in photographs - it is usually the back of my face, that's all.

Margaret, no age given: Where are the papers coming from that tell you where the Baudelaires went?

You have asked me a very suspicious question. Why do you want to know? Are you planning on intercepting information I need to receive, in order to stop me from telling the truth about the Baudelaire orphans?

Franklin, age 12: Do you drive a car?

Yes, whenever I can find one that fits my key.

Anna Novak, age 12: Will Violet kiss anyone?

I certainly hope so. I hope everyone ends up kissing someone.

Beverly Harrison, age 9: Did you have sharp teeth when you were a baby?

I do not remember my own infancy very well, and unfortunately I have no way of asking my parents.

Jenifer, age 8: How come Mr. Poe is so stupid?

The origin of stupidity - which infects so many people all over the world - is a much bigger mystery than I could possibly solve.