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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
not even worth starting.
What an amazing book. The characters were so rich and varied. It was hilarious, poignant, heartfelt and uplifting. I loved it. The narration was unbelievably good!
adventurous
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought every single character in this book was crazy. It might just be the most random book I've ever read. The epistolary style of writing of emails, hand-written letters, school postings, and text messages blended with the pop cultural references made the book feel very current and entertaining. However, the plot was so over the top that it bordered on satire, and believe it or not, satire is not my favorite form of storytelling. I find the over-exaggeration exhausting. But the underlying story of a woman coping with depression from the fact that her single greatest accomplishment was torn down over a silly feud with her neighbor, and the unconditional love that her daughter had for that woman was both heartbreaking and endearing. Semple also had me chuckling every now and then at the absurdities of it all.
Well I found out where Bernadette went and I don't really care. It was a good premise gone wrong. I was very interested in the book up until the last 15% ish. It was all wrapped up with not a mention of other secondary characters that are paraded throughout the entire book. I actually do want to know what happened to them too!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved every minute of it before the end. The email exchanges, faxes, etc. were a welcomed literary novelty. When Bernadette put that sign up facing Audrey's yard, so cringe-worthy and terrible and hilarious. It's obvious why this would turn into a movie next year.
The only disappointment was the ending. I secretly wished that Bee would do her investigative work and figure it out on her own, although of course what actually happened was the most realistic. That aside, what truly disappointed me followed. If I were the editor, I would've suggested the story end after Bee finds her mother in Antartica ("You little rotter" <--sidenote: crazy nickname huh?). The missing letter to Bee (which, wouldn't anyone and everyone be checking Bee's mail when her mother went missing?!) seemed like a way to justify Bernadette's disappearance. An architect's opportunity! She'll be back soon! She doesn't like email anymore! An ah-ha moment about their janky house! Who cares about the affair! It watered it down a little, IMO, in order to try to fit the pieces together perfectly. And in the end, it still left me slightly judgmental of Bernadette's choice to live and work in Antartica, without ever explaining why she had a decades-long hiatus from "creating" in the first place.
I'm sure the movie producers will read this review and follow my advice ;)
The only disappointment was the ending. I secretly wished that Bee would do her investigative work and figure it out on her own, although of course what actually happened was the most realistic. That aside, what truly disappointed me followed. If I were the editor, I would've suggested the story end after Bee finds her mother in Antartica ("You little rotter" <--sidenote: crazy nickname huh?). The missing letter to Bee (which, wouldn't anyone and everyone be checking Bee's mail when her mother went missing?!) seemed like a way to justify Bernadette's disappearance. An architect's opportunity! She'll be back soon! She doesn't like email anymore! An ah-ha moment about their janky house! Who cares about the affair! It watered it down a little, IMO, in order to try to fit the pieces together perfectly. And in the end, it still left me slightly judgmental of Bernadette's choice to live and work in Antartica, without ever explaining why she had a decades-long hiatus from "creating" in the first place.
I'm sure the movie producers will read this review and follow my advice ;)
