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What Members Thought
I couldn't put this book down.
From the very first sentence I was hooked.
Maybe that's because I too was a bitter teenager surrounded by adults making terrible choices. So I was immediately empathetic.
But then within 3 pages I began to empathise with one of the adult characters because I too have been the adult making terrible decisions.
I liked all the characters, even the ones given the role of villain.
The plot of this novel was fun and the writing sharp. I never had a moment where I thought, "w ...more
From the very first sentence I was hooked.
Maybe that's because I too was a bitter teenager surrounded by adults making terrible choices. So I was immediately empathetic.
But then within 3 pages I began to empathise with one of the adult characters because I too have been the adult making terrible decisions.
I liked all the characters, even the ones given the role of villain.
The plot of this novel was fun and the writing sharp. I never had a moment where I thought, "w ...more
Some things are all about perspective.
On the first pages, the reader is introduced to Bee, a young teenager whose mother has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The opening section of the book is a sometimes-confusing scrapbook of emails, letters, narration,bills, and reports that eventually, brilliantly, tell of the circumstances surrounding Bernadette's disappearance. I wouldn't suggest putting this book down for long periods of time, though I don't know who would want to. The pacing ...more
On the first pages, the reader is introduced to Bee, a young teenager whose mother has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The opening section of the book is a sometimes-confusing scrapbook of emails, letters, narration,bills, and reports that eventually, brilliantly, tell of the circumstances surrounding Bernadette's disappearance. I wouldn't suggest putting this book down for long periods of time, though I don't know who would want to. The pacing ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a light, easy read that doesn't leave you with the guilt of most light, easy reads. That's because it is highly intelligent, slightly ridiculous and completely hilarious.
If you cannot identify with Bernadette's rants, agoraphobia and her general disgust with the ordinariness of life, then you're probably not an over-educated introvert with an intense fear of failure. However, those are my people. So this exaggerated story of one of my people amused me beyon ...more
If you cannot identify with Bernadette's rants, agoraphobia and her general disgust with the ordinariness of life, then you're probably not an over-educated introvert with an intense fear of failure. However, those are my people. So this exaggerated story of one of my people amused me beyon ...more
This was sold as funny, and it definitely was. That said, this book earned its fourth star in the poignant moments examining the breakdown of a family and the various results of miscommunication and self delusion. A great, quick read. Highly recommended.
3.5 stars if I could! The book was engaging, especially when it veered into Bernadette's days as a formative female architect and artist. The rest of it was entertaining, a bit annoyed by the ending, but a fun quick read and examination of yuppie neuroses/quirks.
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It's been a long time since I hate-read a book. Every time I went to put this silly thing down, I heard a voice say, "in for a penny, in for a pound," so I kept reading. But I really should have just stopped.
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Clever story and great vacation read, but the implausibility of the main plot point was too much for me to overcome and so it gets 4 stars instead of 5.
Well, that was awesome.
Apr 09, 2013
Alice
marked it as to-read
Aug 28, 2013
Katie
added it
Nov 22, 2014
Rachel
marked it as to-read
Apr 17, 2015
Lisa
marked it as to-read
Nov 29, 2015
David Abrams
marked it as to-read
Jul 20, 2016
Elizabeth
added it
