1.5 stars. This book is dreadful. I gave it an extra +0.5 because I managed to finish it and the writing was alright and not too cliché-ridden or chee...more1.5 stars. This book is dreadful. I gave it an extra +0.5 because I managed to finish it and the writing was alright and not too cliché-ridden or cheesy, minus the part where a character “tucks away” information like a transvestite “tucks away his penis.” There was context there but still… are you kidding me?
This is told through multiple viewpoints of folks living in and around Park Slope, Brooklyn. In my estimation this is a satire, which is all well and good, who doesn’t love a satire? The problem with such form is the characters are extreme and without nuance and, in this case, unlikeable. CC and Karen are alright I guess but god I just didn’t care what happened to any of these people. And the satire piece didn’t really offer any sharp insight. Not once did I nod my head and think, wow, so observant. Maybe I would appreciate it more if I lived in Brooklyn.
Then there’s this: “Rebecca noticed Sean Penn a few tables away…” I just opened a random page and found that sentence. At least 30% of the book consists of random name-dropping. From Jon Hamm to Scarlett Johansen to Blythe Danner. Someone with a lot of time really should count the number of celebrities mentioned. It has to be at least 500. No joke. I’m sure this is supposed to be “satirical” but Jesus it got old.
And I must address the character “Gottlieb” (of course from Brooklyn) who spends a lot of time surfing at Swami’s in Encinitas, where “Kelly Slater had paid him a compliment.” I live by Swami’s. I see Swami’s every day. There’s no way Gottlieb from Brooklyn is going to be surfing out there and double no way would Kelly Slater even acknowledge his existence. So ridiculous though Gottlieb gets in even more ridiculous scenarios. Ugh! Enough already! I can’t believe I finished this.(less)
This is one of the most page-turning works of “literary fiction” I’ve ever read. It’s been pitched as a modern-day, Southern California version of The...moreThis is one of the most page-turning works of “literary fiction” I’ve ever read. It’s been pitched as a modern-day, Southern California version of The Help. I didn’t see the connection other than, you know, the help. This is far superior and a must-read for anyone who lives in this area. I think beyond that, too, but I can’t say for sure if this resonated for me more because I live and grew up in San Diego.
There’s so much going on that I can’t really address all of it in my review. I loved the shifting viewpoints (doesn’t always work, here it’s crucial), the work/life malaise, the desert garden and everything surrounding it. The dichotomy of the Orange County conservatism pocketed inside a liberal state is perfectly executed. The characters are often selfish, yet even at their most heinous the reader can understand where they’re coming from.
The only thing that prevented this from being 5 stars is I didn’t feel I knew Araceli all that well. She is a very emotionally remote character. Maybe that was the point. It definitely makes what happens (the “turning point”) seem all the more “what the f***”? But she is a sympathetic character because of what happens, not because I felt particularly attached to her. I thought it was interesting the author chose this particularly version of household “help” to center the story around. She has no deep bond with the children and only barely knows them. This, of course, makes the "stranger in a strange land" theme all the more compelling.
All in a fabulous work and well deserving of all its positive reviews.(less)
Where’d You Go Bernadette? was one of my favorite books of the year so I had to pick up the author’s earlier work. Bernadette was so special my expect...moreWhere’d You Go Bernadette? was one of my favorite books of the year so I had to pick up the author’s earlier work. Bernadette was so special my expectations for this were somewhat tempered because I was afraid of being let down. Solid move as this wasn’t nearly as good.
Like Bernadette, the writing is funny and sharp and the book filled with deeply flawed individuals. Unfortunately there’s no loveable character like Bee, which is what this seems to be missing. A lot of reviewers complain that the characters are unlikeable and originally I thought that was the intent, that this is a satire. These people are really what one would think if you’re trying to drum up visions of quintessential nouveau riche LA people. And when a couple is fighting and the woman shouts, “I’m sorry I’m not a cheese quesadilla!” you can’t take it too seriously. But reading the author Q&A at the end has me thinking otherwise so now I’m not sure. She talks about wanting to explore the dynamic between sister-in-laws, bored wife/powerful husband, etc. I didn’t really feel any dynamics were explored so much as made fun of. Funny as a satire, weird as general fiction. (less)
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. It’s billed as a “satirical romp” and I love a good satirical romp. However, about three paragrap...moreI did not expect to like this book as much as I did. It’s billed as a “satirical romp” and I love a good satirical romp. However, about three paragraphs in I discovered the little (teensy tiny) beachside town the author is skewering is my own! Yikes!
Still, I loved this. It absolutely pokes fun but has a surprising amount of heart. I love, love, loved tweener Belle and the relationship she has with her father. Maybe, as a mother of two daughters who are very close to their dad, this is more keenly felt for me than it might be for others. Also I loved the precociousness of Belle. Many reviewers take issue with this and I don’t for several reasons. One, I have some precocious kids of my own so the voice is totally believable. Two, Gilmore Girls is my favorite television show (comparisons are made like this is an insult). Three, I think the daughter is supposed to appear more grownup and mature than the parents. Is that not the whole point?
I also thought the author did an excellent job of both poking fun at and lending heart to the whole stay at home-work out of the home struggle. Very well done, and extremely funny to boot. A lot of comparisons made to Little Children but I liked this better. (less)
There is much to love here. This book is some combination of Family Fang and Running with Scissors (the movie, not the book) but has its own unique br...moreThere is much to love here. This book is some combination of Family Fang and Running with Scissors (the movie, not the book) but has its own unique brand of prose and plot. I never watched Arrested Development but apparently the author wrote for it and that series is said to be equally amusing.
Fifteen year old Bee might possibly be one of my favorite characters in all of fiction. Too bad I’ve long since finished naming my children because I’d consider naming one after her (though certainly not her full name Balakrishna!) I loved Bernadette too, despite her neurosis and most of all because she loves her daughter so very much it’s palpable. For all her issues Bernadette is, in fact, a great mom which goes to show being a wonderful mother is not about being around the most, volunteering the most, etc. One of my favorite scenes is what she does for Bee’s best friend’s birthday. She is such a great mother, crumbling house and life notwithstanding.
The catty ladies at the school are hilarious as is the heavy Microsoft overlay. The satire in these two areas is spot on. I’ve met these moms; I get this corporate culture. The format changes about two-thirds of the way in, the first part told in an epistolary fashion (letters, emails, doctors’ bills), the latter straight narration via Bee and I definitely preferred the first. At times, especially near the end, it ventures into the ridiculous, but somehow all in a good way.
The writing is awesome… There are many (many, many) hysterically-written sentences and descriptions. I snorted aloud frequently but still the characters and plot are endearing. Overall a fantastic read.(less)
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