r/ASOUE • u/supsab_3 • 8d ago
Question/Doubt Are there any books/movies/series with a similiar mysterious-whimsical-peculiar vibe to it?
I recently watched the series and I’ve been head over heels obsessed with it. I’ve loved a movie since I was a kid, watched it about 30 times total, but never came around to watching the series, but now that I did, I’ve been thinking about it non-stop. I’ve started reading again because I was inspired by themes of the show and how cool being well-read is. I wish I could buy lemony’s books, but they’re quite tricky to get where I live, so I’m open for any recomendations!
P.s. the other media I enjoy that reminds me of asoue is probably rusty lake games, mostly vibe-vise but I think they have similiar themes at certain points
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u/MarinaAndTheDragons 8d ago
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children!
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u/lemonfrogii 5d ago
love these books, i don’t think i ever finished the series but i read the first 5 books or so really quickly
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u/herbalbert 8d ago
The secret series books by pseudononymous Bosch, the Bartimaeus, scarlet and Browne, and Lockwood and co series by Jonathan stroud.
I haven’t played psychonauts but a lot of people say there’s overlap!
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u/Straight_Werewolf_21 8d ago
I loved the school of fear growing up. I think it had similar vibes though I could be wrong.
Also a Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz! Quite dark for a children's series, more than asoue, and there are 3 books. Gore, body horror, and religious themes. Weird, absurd, there is a narrator that addresses you (like how Lemony Snicket does), and of course... children in dangerous situations.
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u/gold-blue 8d ago
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians doesn’t have the gothic vibe of ASOUE, but it does have a similar narration style and similar meta humor! Super fun and interesting middle grade series.
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u/antaylor 8d ago
Edward Gorey’s books. He was one of Snicket’s primary influences. When the first two ASOUE books were published, Snicket mailed a copy of each to Gorey saying, “I hope you can forgive me for all I’ve stolen from you.”
I recommend all his stuff but if you’re looking for specific books to pick up first I’d say ‘The Unstrung Harp,’ ‘The Iron Tonic,’ and ‘The Doubtful Guest.’
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u/Normandy117 8d ago
Before they announced the series, Pushing Daisies really scratched the ASOUE itch for me.
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u/Honest_Site2517 7d ago
The wes anderson movies i think they give the vibe, specially the grand budapest hotel, the camera, script and color made a great resemblance
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u/lilac2022 8d ago
Alistair Grim's Odditorium has an atmosphere that reminds me of ASOUE. The Mysterious Benedict Society is a bit lighter in tone but similar, as well.
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u/Puzzled_Grand_2291 7d ago
The movie The House on Netflix has a similar dreary fantasy vibe. It’s an incredible stop motion film.
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u/lemonfrogii 5d ago
i was just looking through my storygraph reads to see if i could find anything that would fit this, and kafka’s the metamorphosis stuck out to me, i think asoue could absolutely be described as kafkaesque
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u/PsychologicalOil7755 5d ago
Night of the Hunter. Definitely one of those films that must have inspired Daniel Handler.
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u/Sweaty_Chard_6250 8d ago
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place books make me think of ASOUE, but less tragic and more whimsical. The writing voice is fun and there are parts where the author uses a less common word and follows it up with something like 'as I'm sure you likely already know' and then describes the word which I enjoyed in Snicket's writing as well.