The Miserable Mill

The Miserable Mill is the fourth novel in the book series A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket.

Plot

Template:Spoiler The Miserable Mill begins with Sunny, Klaus and Violet Baudelaire traveling with Mr. Poe on a train bound for Paltryville. When they arrive at Paltryville, Mr. Poe departs, and leaves the children to head for their new home, the Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Along the way, the children see a building in the shape of an eye.

Upon arrival, the children learn that they will have to work at the mill, and as part of the deal, Sir, their new guardian, will try to keep Count Olaf, their nemesis, away. They meet Charles, who is Sir's partner, who shows them the library, which contains three books, one about the history of the lumbermill, one about the town constitution, and one donated by Dr. Orwell, the local ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Klaus is purposely tripped by the foreman, Flacutono (which is an anagram of Count Olaf), breaks his glasses, and is sent to see Dr. Orwell. When Klaus returns, hours later, he acts very strangely, as if in a trance. The next day in the lumbermill, the foreman instructs Klaus to operate a stamping machine. Klaus causes an accident by dropping the machine on Phil, a coworker. Phil says an unfamiliar word, and the other workers ask what it means. Klaus, who is suddenly back to normal, defines the word. Klaus explains that he doesn't remember what happened. Foreman Flacutono trips him again, once again causing his glasses to break. This time though, Violet and Sunny go with him to the doctor.

Dr. Orwell is located at the eye shaped building. They knock on the door and Orwell opens it. She holds a cane in her hand. She is very pleasant, and tells Violet and Sunny to sit in the waiting room. She mentions "attracting flies with honey". Violet and Sunny wonder about this before finding Count Olaf disguised as Shirley, a female receptionist. Violet realizes that Dr. Orwell is the "honey" and that they have been the "flies". She also learns that Klaus has been (and is being) hypnotized by Orwell, who is in cahoots with Count Olaf. They leave with Klaus, who is once again in a trance.

When they return to the lumbermill, they find a note instructing them to see Sir. He tells them that if there is another accident, he'll give them to Shirley.

Violet and Sunny put Klaus to bed, and then go to the library. They read the book donated by Orwell. Violet learns that Orwell's technique uses a command word and an "unhypnotize" word. They then hear the lumbermill starting early, and rush to see what is happening.

They find that Charles is strapped to a log which is going to go through a buzz saw, that Klaus is pushing the log in, and that Foreman Flacutono is giving orders. Violet learns the command word (Lucky), and a big fight ensues. Olaf and Orwell arrive. Violet remembers the word which Phil said to unhypnotize Klaus (inordinate), and says the word. Sunny and Orwell have a fight, with swords and teeth, and Orwell falls into the path of the buzz saw, slicing her. Violet is caught by Olaf and Flacutono. Klaus manages to set Charles free. About that time, Mr. Poe and Sir arrive, and the Baudelaires explain to them what has happened.

The story concludes with Olaf throwing a book through the window, and climbing out along with Foreman Flacutono. Sir sends the Baudelaires to boarding school (Prufrock Preparatory School).

Clues

In the beginning of the book, the Baudelaires enter the Lucky Smells Lumbermill, passing a stack of newspapers. It is later mentioned, in Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography, that a stack of newspapers was left in an open area for common reference by members of V.F.D.

Cover images

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  US cover
• UK cover
  UK cover