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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I devoured this book. It was funny and totally unpredictable. I loved the shifting points of view. Just a delight.
This was a quick and easy read! It was so fascinating and interesting that it was very hard to put down!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Listened to this book. In the beginning I couldn't grasp the short bits by the many characters till they all got a place Nd I simply became addicted. Loved it!
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a really fun story! I've always been fascinated with Antarctica, so maybe that helps :D I thought Maria Semple crafted a good storyline and wrapped the end up cleverly. The story was over the top and silly, but funny (also included a lot more profanity than I expected, though I imagine it's realistic for those who swear freely, haha)! This will make a great movie, I can't wait :)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Okay, so...this book was completely different from what I was expecting and to format my opinion was more difficult than I was anticipating.
When I first read the blurb on this book it seemed like a 'feel-good' and 'mother and daughter relationship' themed book with the plot revolving solely around Bernadette and Bee's relationship, Bernadette's disappearance and Bee moving to Antartica to find her mother.
Don't misunderstand me, that IS the plot of the book; however, that's just in the last chapter of the book (The White Continent aka Chapter 6). This explains why I, as the reader, was more engaged in that last part of the novel. The majority of that first half is a mix of some (at times unnecessary) emails and letters which mostly concern Bernadette. These different materials have all been pieced together by Bee, Bernadette's fifteen year old daughter, in attempt to tell her mothers unquestionably unique story.
I don't want to over-explain or exploit the minor details because this book really speaks for itself.
Although I do want to talk about one thing, Elgie's concern for his wife's mental state.
That is the biggest reason for my three-star rating, it was totally unnecessary....you don't just SEE your wife in a pharmacy with drugs that are OBVIOUSLY for travel sickness and anxiety as I am adamant that Bernadette would have explained their purpose??? Maybe I am missing something? That is my largest issue with this book, along with the fact that I wasn't as engaged with the characters as I expected to be.
The fact that I enjoyed Chapter 6 secured this books rating; It was admittedly funny in places and has a good use of irony as well as bundles of character development.
I just felt the plot of this book needed to be scheduled differently with the first half shortened slightly and then the height of the book further towards the 3rd Chapter.
I totally think people should give this book a try, after all...everyone interprets things differently.
When I first read the blurb on this book it seemed like a 'feel-good' and 'mother and daughter relationship' themed book with the plot revolving solely around Bernadette and Bee's relationship, Bernadette's disappearance and Bee moving to Antartica to find her mother.
Don't misunderstand me, that IS the plot of the book; however, that's just in the last chapter of the book (The White Continent aka Chapter 6). This explains why I, as the reader, was more engaged in that last part of the novel. The majority of that first half is a mix of some (at times unnecessary) emails and letters which mostly concern Bernadette. These different materials have all been pieced together by Bee, Bernadette's fifteen year old daughter, in attempt to tell her mothers unquestionably unique story.
I don't want to over-explain or exploit the minor details because this book really speaks for itself.
Although I do want to talk about one thing, Elgie's concern for his wife's mental state.
That is the biggest reason for my three-star rating, it was totally unnecessary....you don't just SEE your wife in a pharmacy with drugs that are OBVIOUSLY for travel sickness and anxiety as I am adamant that Bernadette would have explained their purpose??? Maybe I am missing something? That is my largest issue with this book, along with the fact that I wasn't as engaged with the characters as I expected to be.
The fact that I enjoyed Chapter 6 secured this books rating; It was admittedly funny in places and has a good use of irony as well as bundles of character development.
I just felt the plot of this book needed to be scheduled differently with the first half shortened slightly and then the height of the book further towards the 3rd Chapter.
I totally think people should give this book a try, after all...everyone interprets things differently.
I loved this book until about 3/4 of the way through but the writing style changed and it almost lost me. It's still a good read and I like the humor, too. It's a good story.