Chapter One Summary

Chapter 1 opens as Violet and Klaus Baudelaire, two of the three Baudelaire children, are racing uncontrollably down a steep path in the Mortmain Mountains in a large caravan wagon. Meanwhile, their younger sister, Sunny, is being carried up the mountain in a large car driven by the evil Count Olaf. Also in Olaf's car are his girlfriend, Esme Squalor, and several of Olaf's employees who come from a carnival and each have an unusual appearance. There are two ladies who keep their faces white with powder and a man with hooks for hands, among others.

In the runaway caravan, Klaus and Violet are desperate to find a way to stop the wagon before it plunges off a steep incline. Violet, who is skilled at improvising solutions to difficult situations, tells Klaus to look through the pantry of the wagon and mix...