Bernadette Fox has vanished. When her daughter Bee claims a family trip to Antarctica as a reward for perfect grades, Bernadette, a fiercely intelligent shut-in, throws herself into preparations for the trip. But worn down by years of trying to live the Seattle life she never wanted, Ms. Fox is on the brink of a meltdown. And after a school fundraiser goes disastrously awry at her hands, she disappears, leaving her family to pick up the pieces.
Which is exactly what Bee does, weaving together an elaborate web of emails, invoices, and school memos that reveals a secret past Bernadette has been hiding for decades. Where'd You Go Bernadette is an ingenious and unabashedly entertaining novel about a family coming to terms with who they are, and the power of a daughter's love for her mother.
My thoughts:
The first part of the book was great, the middle part was only ok and frankly depressing at times. The last part was good. I do wish it had been constant, but oh well.
The story is told via emails between two women, between emails between Bernadette and her virtual assistant in India, and via many other things. Later we learn that Bee is writing a book and has all of this is her source, trying to piece together why her mum went missing.
Bernadette has many issues, that's for sure. Creativity drove her a bit mad.
Bee is a good kid.
The dad is all about Microsoft, and maybe he should listen more.
I did like the way it was told, those emails gossiping, the insight into others, and then the big question, where'd she go? That even had me worried for real, and I liked how it all tied together at the end.
Conclusion:
But yeah it was just sad at times, depressing really. But it turned out well in the end.
But yeah it was just sad at times, depressing really. But it turned out well in the end.
Cover
eh
Paperback, 330 pages
Published April 2nd 2013 by Back Bay Books (first published 2012)
Fiction
Library
Agreed on the cover.
ReplyDelete;)
DeleteI listened to this one and thought the audio was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThat would have been interesting
DeleteSo this like a dramedy?
ReplyDeleteNice word! LOL, and yes that does say it all
DeleteIt sounds like Bernadette put you through a range of emotions. I've always wanted to read this!
ReplyDeleteYou should def try it
DeleteI have to be in the right mood to tackle a book like this that's more on the depressing side, but I'm glad it ended well at least!
ReplyDeleteOnly the middle part but yeah depressing
DeleteToo bad it wasn't consistent. The format sounds interesting. My youngest loves stories through Iming, Email etc.
ReplyDeleteI read one entirely in email once, so fun
DeleteYou've been reading a lot of lighter books recently. They all look so good!
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
It seems to be the books I have been drawn to lately
DeleteHmmm I didn't walk away thinking sad but then again I enjoy emotional, dark reads. I will always remember the mudslide scene, I was seriously rolling with laughter, I had to walk away from the book and come back.
ReplyDeleteThat was funny, but then when they all ganged up on her, that was sad
DeleteI really enjoyed this one and the emails made it a little different. It was clever.
ReplyDeleteThat it was
DeleteGood to hear you liked the way it was told, but sorry it wasn't consistant quality
ReplyDeleteA shame really
DeleteNope, the book does not tell me anything, I have to go look at the cover ;)
ReplyDeleteOh glad you enjoyed it for the most part and how the ending happened. Microsoft? :p
ReplyDeleteHe was a big thing there
DeleteThat's an interesting concept for how to tell a book. The emails back and forth.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good concept
DeleteMeh, but the cover is cute.
ReplyDeleteSort of
DeleteI've heard of this book and seen some reviews around. It did not look like a depressing story at all, so it's really interesting to hear there are sad moments.
ReplyDelete~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
If you read it you will see, I did not expect it either
DeleteI love that when we have a format like that, a bit different
ReplyDeleteMe too
DeleteI don't know if I'd like the depressing part, but if there is a light at the end of the tunnel I could do it. Sounds good and I like that the emails and stuff play a part. I've had two books recently do that and loved it.
ReplyDeleteThere is light at the end of the tunnel, fear not
DeleteI liked it.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI've wanted to read this for a long time. I didn't realize it was told through e-mails, which sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteNot entirely but some :)
DeleteI listened to the audio of this one, I liked it, but I wasn't crazy about it. The narration was pretty good, though.
ReplyDeleteIt had its ups and downs
DeleteEh on the middle and the depressing. So not the book for me right now.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya
DeleteNot a fan of depressing but at least there was a good ending!
ReplyDeleteAt least that
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