Where'd You Go, Bernadette
Ratings235
Average rating3.8
The character actor Kathleen Wilhoite's narration was exquisite, and truly made the different layers of this complicated (and morally ambiguous) story come alive. As of now she has only narrated Senple's two novels; she must narrate more audiobooks.
Would've been two stars if it wasn't for the Antarctica part (too short) and the cute kid (lost amidst the rest of the characters-unlikeable, annoying and uninteresting).
Completely unexpected and a completely engrossing read. I especially loved all of the little nods to Seattle, although the Queen Anne life that Bee and Bernadette know is completely foreign to me. I also loved the redemption of Audrey Griffin, who was otherwise completely unlikable and a great villain.
i think that the only thing i liked about this book (which earned it an extra star) is bernadette's unflinching love and support for her daughter (outside of the antarctica trip). everything else made me want to tear my ears off my head
DNF. Read the synopsis of the rest of the story and I'm glad I abandoned it. It annoyed me far more than it entertained me.
Sure was Seattle-y! I was more interested in the second half, after the characters started to develop more depth.
This book would have been an enjoyable 3 stars for me, but Kathleen Wilhoite's narration really elevated it. I was audibly laughing to myself on the metro (like a crazy person)
I loved this book. It compelled me from beginning to end, and I really, really enjoyed the ending (which is rare)!
[SPOILER, DON'T READ PAST THIS]
I found that the title wasn't just about her disappearing, but about how she wanted to find where she went as a creator and artist, and I loved that.
Easy read, be careful about assumptions; being yourself and being accepted for who you really are.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a spunky and unexpected story. I loved the format of the book - the letters and documents really add a great dimension to the book. The format reminded me of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which is one of my favorite books.
Cell phones are the bane of modern filmmaking. It seems like at least half (if not more) of all major conflicts from classic movies could be solved with a simple phone call (or text message) between two people who have the ability to communicate almost literally wherever they are. Modern writers have taken to have the first character be tragically misunderstood, but get so frustrated they decide not to clarify things because they're SO ANGRY or the second character is SO HURT ... only for it finally be resolved a few months/weeks/one crisis later.
Or you could have the character go to Antarctica. I'm just saying, it's an option. Apparently.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette is one young teenager's attempt to piece together where her missing mother might be. For out-and-out Seattleites (complete with a Microsoft Dad), they certainly have more adventures than you might expect.
The plot mostly moves forward through a series of miscues and miscommunications - some accidental, some not. I'm loathe to give away any of the plot points, really, because trying to muddle through what the hell happened is well more than half the fun.
I really liked the book, but I have the literary equivalent of part of a popcorn kernel stuck in my teeth that, no matter how hard I run my tongue against it, I can't quite seem to get loose.
As mentioned, the novel propels itself along with tufts and strings that hint at what happened, but only become fully fleshed out the farther you get into it: A murder mystery without a murderer. But if your whole book rests on the plot, all the dominoes you set up in the front half have to pay off with a satisfying topple in the end. In this case we get not a bang, but yet more misdirection and a plot hole between the dominoes you could fly a 747 or navigate an Antarctic research vessel through.
That's what knocked me down to a mild “you should probably read” versus a must-recommend. Regardless, though, definitely one to keep in mind.
The writing format with the emails and notes, etc meant it took a while to get used to. I was expecting it to be written normally with the odd email, note or letter thrown in, so hence the surprise when it was the other way around.
I'm not usually a fan of that writing style so thought about giving up on it, but then decided to stick with it. I'm glad I did because I ended up enjoying it. I love how Bee understood her mum and was the only who wasn't interested in giving up on her! On another note, Audrey totally ended up surprising me (without giving too much away, she was really annoying until she went and did something that completely made me change my mind about her!).
It was a good, lighthearted read.
A private school rebranding to attract richer parents, a husband who works at a major tech company, constant dissatisfaction with one's city that quickly escalates to rage upon leaving the house - yeah, I identified with this book.
I just adore the odd, dysfunctional Bernadette Fox.
From her people-aversion to the bizarre truths she has formed her world around, I find her to be both indestructible + muddled, brilliant + thick, exasperating + lovable.
I felt sections of this book could've been axed or shaken to keep the story seamless. The constant character switchback allows Semple a five-dimensional tale in chronological order. However, it snags, not allowing you to sit with a character before you're whisked away to a “This Just In” segment of another character's development.
Semple excels in laying out the subtitles of a character's thought stream, assessments so relatable and offensive, only an author courageous and witty would lay out a persona so raw, so refreshing.
I loved the way this book was written. So clever to have it all together from emails, articles, etc. The characters were also well written. I just thought the wrap-up felt rushed.
This book explored serious topics but also made me laugh. I liked the writing style and that helped me keep going through the book, I found the most ridiculous situations absolutely hilarious.
The end left things a little ambiguous as far as her relationship with her husband and I was disappointing with the fact that he kept against her even though he realized his part in his wife's disappearance. I wish he could have matured a little more.
Highly enjoyable novel, none-the-less. Her little girl was by far the most likable character.
A very engaging story. I'm glad one of the antagonists in the story realized the harm she had done and tried to make amends. There was growth in all the characters.
2.5 stars
The first 50% were a 4-4.5 stars for me but then it just kept getting worse. I am so disappointed.
It was fun, entertaining, satiric and wrapped up quickly and happily. A good summer read.
Странная книга. Читаешь, а связи с героями нет. Вроде бы надо сопереживать и болеть за Бернандетт, но почему-то делать этого совершенно не хочется. Гений, самодостаточный и эгоцентричный человек, она вышла замуж за такого же мужчину. Какой будет семья и отношения в ней, если каждый из них живет своей работой и своими переживаниями, считая, что муж\жена должны их понимать и принимать без объяснений? Поэтому точка надлома в книге и приходится именно на момент выяснения отношений Бернандетт и Элджи. Единственный человек к которому проникаешься теплыми чувствами - это Би. Надежная, добрая, умная, верная до конца. 3,5\5. И это за неожиданные повороты событий и нестандартное построение книги.