Where'd You Go, Bernadette in Bookmarks Subscribers

Aug 20, 2012 Linda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nytbr, 2016, book-discussion-read, own

Zany, quirky, captivating. I was completely invested in Bernadette. I inhaled the first 200 pages of the book then life got in the way for what should have been an easy finishing read. It took two more days to finish the last 100 pages - not because I wasn't interested. I even thought about stealing time with the book from my job. That really explains how much I was into this book. ...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Amy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, rec-ig-blogs-friends-other, read-in-2013, _own-ebook

I struggled with rating this one - it's probably more like a 3.5 for me but I'll bump it down to a 3. I suspect this may be a case of hearing so many people rave about a book which resulted in high expectations that were then let down by the reading of the actual book. In other words, I think I would have liked this one better if I'd never heard how great it was from other bookish people.

Although in many ways this novel is sharp, witty, heartwarming, and entertaining, it was also not nearly as s I struggled with rating this one - it's probably more like a 3.5 for me but I'll bump it down to a 3. I suspect this may be a case of hearing so many people rave about a book which resulted in high expectations that were then let down by the reading of the actual book. In other words, I think I would have liked this one better if I'd never heard how great it was from other bookish people.

Although in many ways this novel is sharp, witty, heartwarming, and entertaining, it was also not nearly as sharp, witting, heartwarming and entertaining as it COULD have been. This felt like a novel that just didn't quite make it to great ... even though it certainly could have. The promise was there but it just didn't quite make it. I so wish that it had ... because I really wanted to love it.

In my opinion, the book cover on this one implies that this is a very different book than it actually is which is kind of a shame. I think it makes the reader think they are going into one thing only to find themselves in a completely different kind of book. I hope that they consider a new cover at some point. (Just to clarify - although I love the cover, I just don't think this was the right cover for this book).

I loved the style of storytelling that Maria Semple uses here - it gave the novel a freshness that I really liked. I enjoyed every moment of reading this novel but it wasn't totally satisfying to me. It was immensely readable but not very impactful. I loved how Seattle and Antarctica were like characters in the novel but the constant negativity about Seattle eventually got annoying to me. I felt myself rolling my eyes a few times while thinking 'OK, I get it ... you aren't a Seattle fan, Bernadette'!

I felt like the story lost steam towards the end of the book. The ending of the novel just didn't feel as strong as the beginning. Perhaps there was a loss of momentum or something? I'm not sure but it was disappointing to me. I probably would have gone to 4 stars if the ending hadn't been so lackluster for me.

But, all in all, it's a really good satire with some interesting quirks! It is definitely getting a lot of love from many of my friends so I think its worth a read, especially if you enjoy satire! ...more

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May 14, 2013 Sera rated it liked it

Shelves: audio, library, literary-fiction

Darn - another promising book that fizzled out for me by the end. I loved the first half of the book. It was quirky, current and although the characters were really funny in a crazy way, they still all felt real to me. I also loved the Microsoft connections and how the company is a world unto itself within the Seattle radius. But then, Bernadette disappears, and it all goes South from there (literally!!). Fortunately, that doesn't happen until later in the book, or it would have been a 2 star re ...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Alison rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Well, blow my skirt up!!

I have to be honest. I did not expect much from this book. The synopsis didn't grab me, nor did any of the early reviews. I was looking for a "fluff" book, something easy while I was running around prepping for the holidays, and thought I would skim through this one. Was I wrong!

I never expected this book to become one of my favorites of 2012!

I was energetically and enthusiastically surprised by Where'd You Go, Bernadette! I could use words like funny, quirky, unexpecte Well, blow my skirt up!!

I have to be honest. I did not expect much from this book. The synopsis didn't grab me, nor did any of the early reviews. I was looking for a "fluff" book, something easy while I was running around prepping for the holidays, and thought I would skim through this one. Was I wrong!

I never expected this book to become one of my favorites of 2012!

I was energetically and enthusiastically surprised by Where'd You Go, Bernadette! I could use words like funny, quirky, unexpected, hilarious, strange, silly, or hysterical. Instead, I'm just going to tell you all that I loved it and you should read it!

“My heart started racing, not the bad kind of heart racing, like I'm going to die. But the good kind of heart racing, like, Hello, can I help you with something? If not, please step aside because I'm about to kick the shit out of life.”

Disclaimer: you need a sense of humor and a very forgiving and suspension of disbelief in order to enjoy this book.

“This is why you must love life: one day you're offering up your social security number to the Russian Mafia; two weeks later you're using the word calve as a verb.”

This is one book where I would be afraid to listen to the audio - if it's done right, it could be magic; but if it's done wrong, it could be a disaster! As it is, I had to think hard about whether or not I listened to the audio, because there is such music in Maria Semple's dialogue. The voice in my head nailed it. I have to go search out some audio reviews...either that or get working on my audiobook demo. Sorry, tangent. (It's late...my kids are sick...haven't slept in a few days.)

This book made me happy. Not many books out there can own this badge of honor. We have paranormal love stories; crazy wives; sons on trial for murder; societies both giving and curing the same plague; imaginary friends; and time travel, and this doesn't even include the dystopian section of my library. What we don't have is a story about a family who will literally love each other to the ends. of. the earth. THAT makes me happy.

Happy reading!!
...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Melissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: literature-by-women

Weird and crazy-snarky.

Great use of the supporting "documents" and the structure of the book. Loved the section headings (Runaway Bunny!). Bee was an excellent protagonist.

Maybe a little weak on the ending but it still wrapped up really well. ...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Kathy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Maria Semple had me at "Arrested Development." How could this not be hilarious?

But when I started "Where'd You Go, Bernadette," I was distracted by my worries that this would be gimmicky. The story is launched with a report card, emails, letters, articles, but not really a narrative. I wondered how or if the format would be explained. Be patient, Reader, for Semple does tie it together and she swoops and loop-de-loops through satire, drama, mystery, even travel writing. It is the humor, though, ...more

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