Where'd You Go, Bernadette - Maria Semple - 2 star

[Jason]

This book is shelved 3604 times as book-club

I want to start off by saying this book is enjoyable. Overall, it's a fun read but this book seems to fall into the middle of everything.

The story, for the most part, is light and fast but at the same time, it explores some heavy themes but not in a deep way.

Most of the story is told through emails, letters, articles and the like but as the story progresses, it moves further and further away from this format. Not to mention, every character in the book writes like a modern novelist with quirky details and tangents on different topics.

Bee is supposed to be a young teenager, but most of the story, I felt imagining her as 7-9 years old fit better. Yes, you can argue developmental delays due the health problems she has had her whole life, but at other times, an older teenager fit the bill better.

Then, the ending of the book is silly and unbelievable. I was really hoping that when Bernadette went missing, she would resurface as Carmen Sandiego.

This was a hard book for me to rate really. I can't say I liked the book, but it was an easy, fun read.

[Book Concierge]

I gave it 3 stars. I'm not generally a fan of satire, and I look at hugely popular books somewhat askance.

I think your last two sentences perfectly sum up my reaction as well, Jason.

[Amy]

The book is definitely fluff, I think people went really crazy with it and graded it really high when it was really just sort of silly. Most people agree that the end really went off the rails not sure that I appreciated the movie either, but I have to say that this author really devolves in other works. Any enjoyment one gets from this one, cannot be found in any of the other books. I found myself angry, and very disappointed in the others that I had picked up. Joanne jokes about throwing books against the wall and I’ve never really had an urge to do so, but with this author, I kind of get the feeling.