Even though the ending is somewhat anti-climactic, I can't imagine a better ending for this book. Snicket does some amazing feats in the last books––conveying postmodern ideas/morals to children (what is good and what is bad?) and showing that good can can come out of adversity.

**SPOILERS**

I'm glad/sad that parents weren't alive, because that's how life is. Snicket conveys that you can find people to care for you in the most dire of situations, like how he's done for them. I'm glad the children decide to leave the island and go back to the real world, because it's true––you can't stay hidden from unfortunate events forever. These books are powerful, and I think adults could benefit from them as well as children.

I should own and re-read this series, especially in light of the author's role in the books! These will be favourites for a long time.