"The Bad Beginning" is the first book in the A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. It follows the misadventures of the Baudelaire orphans—Violet, Klaus, and Sunny—after their parents die in a fire. The children are sent to live with their new guardian, Count Olaf, who is cruel and has sinister plans to steal their fortune. As the story unfolds, the orphans face numerous challenges and dangers while trying to escape Count Olaf's schemes. They use their intelligence and resourcefulness to navigate their unfortunate circumstances, highlighting themes of resilience and the importance of family.