March Group Read Discussion: Where'd You Go Bernadette

[SadieReadsAgain]

I went into this book pretty blind, and I'm about a 3rd into it. I am loving how it is written, and I find it very funny. I like the school-mum satire, it reminds me of Big Little Lies. I usually hate rich-people-problems, but this is more rich people with problems so it isn't rubbing me the wrong way in that respect. Pleasantly surprised so far!

[Larissa]

Got a lot of reading today! pg 98-173 (finished part 3) (view spoiler)[ I REALLY got into this book today that I almost forgot to pick up my kids from school. Bernadette's Twenty Mile House was destroyed! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the gift and reference to Saint Bernadette. So far in the story Bernadette hasn't "disappeared" and we have half way through with the book but of course so much has happened. But I found my favorite quote so far- "Can you believe the weather?" And you want to say, "Actually, I can believe the weather. What I can't believe is that I am actually talking about the weather." But I don't say that, you see, because that would be instigating a fight, something I try my best to avoid, with mixed results." (hide spoiler)]

[SadieReadsAgain]

I went into this pretty blind, but was immediately drawn in by the way the story is told. This is a madcap story - a term and a type which I actually don't like, but it worked so well here. This is a snarky book with an absurd plot, but at its heart is the story of a mother-daughter bond. Bernadette is a complicated character, but under the hard exterior is something delicate and in need of healing. This story bounds along, and I was holding on tight the whole way through. A very pleasant surprise.


What do you think of this style of writing? How do you think the book might be different if the story was written more conventionally?

I love an epistolary novel! And I think here it works so well. I can't image how this story could have been told any other way, with it all coming from Bee's perspective. If it was told in a more conventional way, it wouldn't have had her voice or interpretation.


The story is told from the point of view of a daughter trying to find her missing mother. Why do you think the author chose to tell the story from Bee's perspective? And what do you think of the bond between mother and daughter?

And to add to that, do you think the story works with this point of view, and what do you think of Bee?

I loved their bond. I think that is ultimately what the story was about. And so it had be told from Bee's perspective, because her telling of the story is all about her mother, and how important she is to her. If it had been told from Bernadette's perspective, the bond would have been less the focus. Not because I don't think it was equally important to Bernadette, but because her disappearance was fuelled by things outside of that bond.

I loved Bee. I felt her and Bernadette were the stand-out characters. Bee is smart, but still retains innocence. She is at that stage of life where you do become a bit more critical of your parents, and adults in general. But her love for them is still very obvious. The wit and warmth of her perspective struck the perfect note.


Which leads me up to my next question: How are Audrey Griffin and Bernadette Fox more alike than they realize?

Very much so. They make snap judgements about other people, and are snobs in their own ways. But they love their children, and when it comes to admitting their faults both turn out to be very honest and willing to make amends.

[Jenny]

Larissa wrote: "Got a lot of reading today! pg 98-173 (finished part 3) [spoilers removed]"

I love that quote too!

[KF-in-Georgia]

I didn't read this. I had a different question book for March.

But I've seen such favorable reviews for Bernadette that I just went and bought it as an extra read.

[Nadine in NY]

Hi everybody! Don't forget that nominations are open through the weekend for July, August, and September monthly reads!!

[Larissa]

page 173-244 about 75% done (view spoiler)[ Now this is kinda getting a little wacky- well wackier than it already WAS! Bernadette disappears after an intervention. Her husband was banging the secretary (I am tired of this cliche) and is now pregnant. Audrey is becoming a more redeeming character has she tries to amend her mistakes (through illegal means fyi) essentially being the cause of Bernadette being put in a mental facility.

As I am nearing the end I just want to say I am enjoying it but not as much as I thought I would and I am not sure why. Maybe there is still more so I will hold off on complete judgement yet. Bernadette behaves as an outsider because she doesn't REALLY want to be an insider. I have a feeling she doesn't like small talk which I can TOTALLY relate to, but it is hard to feel sorry for rich people. (hide spoiler)]

[Larissa]

pages 244-274, 83% done (view spoiler)[ Now we are really getting to see Bee's point of view especially about the problems at Choate. What was the weird baby powder smell from Bee's roommate? drugs? I don't know much about those things so I am just guessing. I don't understand why Bee wanted to write a book about the things about her mother (aren't we reading that book?) but maybe since she is so smart she saw a creative opportunity and went with it? Or maybe it is a trick or joke on the reader? In any case, Bee is obviously mad at her dad about being lied to and now is stuck with him on a trip to Antarctica.

I can understand Bee's frustrations. Her dad does seem like a jerk. I am really glad Bee has such great memories of her mom even though I am not sure her happiest moment makes sense to me. The author did make Bee about as sympathetic as possible so it is hard not to like her and try to understand her anger. I am super curious if we/they are going to find Bernadette though! (hide spoiler)]

[Larissa]

pages 274-296 90% done (view spoiler)[ Well Bee and her father have mostly forgiven each other. I would still be more mad about the having sex and impregnating secretary thing- but Bee is young and maybe a little more understanding. She really doesn't want to hate her dad. I am ultimately glad they are communicating and working on some issues. Bee gets to count penguins so that is fun. I think I am just about to get to the twisting end- where ever that is leading!

This book has good character development and a well paced plot. I have never been bored while reading the book so that is awesome. There are some annoying cliches and rich people with problems but it IS entertaining. Well here goes nothing...I am coming to the end of the book! (hide spoiler)]

[poshpenny]

I did not like this book. It's just a bunch of jerks (that's not the word I really want to use, but it'll do) being jerks to each other. Except for Bee. I didn't mind the ending section, but by then I just wanted to be done with these people. I agree the audiobook narrator forgot to check that Bee was in 8th grade, and isn't 8.

[Trish]

Like so many others, I had no idea what this was about when I started it. I ended up really liking it though and - in line with this week's QotW - this is one of those books where I'd love to know what happens next to these characters.

I thought the style worked really well, as you gleaned information bit by bit. I also liked the way Bee links the individual bits together with her own commentary. Like some others, though, I wish we'd had more Bee/Bernadette time at the end.

Plus Antarctica is on my bucket list of places I'd love to go!

I'd also recently read and enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, and I thought that while the style was different, there was actually quite a lot of similarity in the feel of the two - maybe because both Bernadette and Eleanor are on the edge of normal society due to something that happened in the past. Not sure if anyone else feels that.

[Sarah]

I finally got the ebook in at the library this week after a 7 month hold (!!).