Ken Berg answers “I loved this book until the last page. ...”

Esther Schnaidman asked this question about Where'd You Go, Bernadette:

I loved this book until the last page. Maybe I am missing something, but I found the whole story line ended too abruptly. We have the main character coming to realization and clarity about her life. She's finally made decisions and is going forward. However, Bernadette doesn't seem to know about the pregnancy or that Elgie quit Microsoft. Huh? How is that an ending? I am so disappointed. THANKS

Ken Berg I felt confident that Bernadette could handle the fact of the pregnancy, but that's hardly enough. Will Elgie just provide a house and some financial …moreI felt confident that Bernadette could handle the fact of the pregnancy, but that's hardly enough. Will Elgie just provide a house and some financial support, and then say good luck? Will he take a role in the child's life? And Bee? For some reason she does not appear to be dating yet (she is 15, I would expect more interest in boys than we hear about in the novel) . She has a bit to think about. And while it is hard to see the Elgie- SooLin relationship as predatory, he was her superior at MS. Also, the two of them are old enough to know where babies come from, maybe some precautions could have been taken?

Still, Bernadette is great! She is an outlier (very different from being crazy) and I wish the very best for her.

Btw: Bee and Kennedy are both 15 and in 8th grade. I turned 13 during 8th grade. Being 15 in 8th grade means being 7 in kindergarten. What's going on? A side issue, no need to respond. (less)

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Where'd You Go, Bernadette

by Maria Semple

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