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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
First half: hilarious. Love the satire and the different formats (emails, notes, faxes, etc). Great voices from each character. Great satirical commentary. Perfection!
Middle: Still funny, but getting more odd in terms of Bernadette. While she is an interesting character, the further along on her character journey she goes, the more I don't really connect with her (for various reasons) Also we start getting a tone shift that seems kinda sudden.
Rest of/end: the POV switch was an odd choice. No more emails etc? And again, tone is an issue. It seems WAY more dramatic than just satire or humor. I don't mind the "neat" ending, but it was weird getting there. (WARNING: spoilers ahead!)
But what really got me about the latter part of the book:
1) an affair? Really? I didn't like how that just seemed "okay" with anyone. Plus it was so contrived.
2) Bee was...kind of a brat to her dad. He'd been through a lot (though I don't condone his affair, which could be seen a mile away...) But 15 yr olds act that way. But then she shifts moods again. It all seems very fast.
Overall, a quick and fun read, but also a bit of a choppy one (towards the end) that couldn't decide if it was satire or an eccentric soap opera.
First half: hilarious. Love the satire and the different formats (emails, notes, faxes, etc). Great voices from each character. Great satirical commentary. Perfection!
Middle: Still funny, but getting more odd in terms of Bernadette. While she is an interesting character, the further along on her character journey she goes, the more I don't really connect with her (for various reasons) Also we start getting a tone shift that seems kinda sudden.
Rest of/end: the POV switch was an odd choice. No more emails etc? And again, tone is an issue. It seems WAY more dramatic than just satire or humor. I don't mind the "neat" ending, but it was weird getting there. (WARNING: spoilers ahead!)
But what really got me about the latter part of the book:
1) an affair? Really? I didn't like how that just seemed "okay" with anyone. Plus it was so contrived.
2) Bee was...kind of a brat to her dad. He'd been through a lot (though I don't condone his affair, which could be seen a mile away...) But 15 yr olds act that way. But then she shifts moods again. It all seems very fast.
Overall, a quick and fun read, but also a bit of a choppy one (towards the end) that couldn't decide if it was satire or an eccentric soap opera.
Meh. Wasn't horrible, wasn't great. Multiple narrators throughout the book, felt kind of messy.
Bernadette is written as a typical stereotype of a Type A personality with other outlining issues, though undiagnosed are glaring obvious. Our author tries to hide them under her brilliance but I just don't see it.
Not my type of book, kind of kitchy, still entertaining, daughter Bee was the best part of the book.
Felt like I was watching a cheesy Netflix Movie.
Maybe a quick beach read when you want something light with no thoughts needed, it won't even matter if you lose your place and pick up somewhere else, as there isn't much to this story.
Bernadette is written as a typical stereotype of a Type A personality with other outlining issues, though undiagnosed are glaring obvious. Our author tries to hide them under her brilliance but I just don't see it.
Not my type of book, kind of kitchy, still entertaining, daughter Bee was the best part of the book.
Felt like I was watching a cheesy Netflix Movie.
Maybe a quick beach read when you want something light with no thoughts needed, it won't even matter if you lose your place and pick up somewhere else, as there isn't much to this story.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I REALLY enjoyed this book... until the last chapter. The characters are so funny and real, and I think the choice of narrative format (emails, letters, etc.) really helps develop the characters' personalities. That being said, the ending was a huge disappointment for me. Sudden change of heart by Audrey? I understand the reasoning, and I "kind of" buy that, but then actually HELPING Bernadette, who suddenly decides to abandon her family for a project in Antarctica... not believable. Shame too, because from the beginning I was sure this would be a 5 star book.
Growing up, I used to love reading. I'd stay up late at night to finish whatever book I was on and I loved the feeling of it. As I got older, I lost the feeling to stay up reading whether it was my feelings for the book, or myself in general, but after starting Where'd You Go, Bernadette, I once again found that need to stay up and finish this book.
With that being said, I really enjoyed this book. In the beginning, I was a little iffy about the novel because of the way it was written. There really wasn't a story, but pieces of evidence as to what was going on. However, as the book went on, I started to enjoy the telling of the story. Getting these different accounts of the events of the story from different characters was incredibly interesting and unique. I also couldn't wait to get to the end and find out how Bee acquired these documents to be put into a story, and I was really surprised to find out who sent her the info. A really great novel and I am really glad I gave it a chance. The setting of Seattle and on the cruise to Antarctica were also really clever uses of setting. The way all the characters interacted with one another was very interesting, and it was good to get those bits of satire from Bernadette when she talked about the Galer Street "gnats" and all the other characters in the book. A must read book for those looking for an adventurous tale.
With that being said, I really enjoyed this book. In the beginning, I was a little iffy about the novel because of the way it was written. There really wasn't a story, but pieces of evidence as to what was going on. However, as the book went on, I started to enjoy the telling of the story. Getting these different accounts of the events of the story from different characters was incredibly interesting and unique. I also couldn't wait to get to the end and find out how Bee acquired these documents to be put into a story, and I was really surprised to find out who sent her the info. A really great novel and I am really glad I gave it a chance. The setting of Seattle and on the cruise to Antarctica were also really clever uses of setting. The way all the characters interacted with one another was very interesting, and it was good to get those bits of satire from Bernadette when she talked about the Galer Street "gnats" and all the other characters in the book. A must read book for those looking for an adventurous tale.
2013 Alex Award Winner!
Bee is on the hunt for her mother. Bernadette has disappeared in Antarctica--did she commit suicide? Run away? Who can figure it out? Told through a collection of emails, faxes, letters and other documents, we trace the history of Bernadette and her connections with other Seattle-ites. Why did Bernadette stop building things after winning a prestigious architect award in LA? Why does she hate all things Canadian and hate to leave her house? This tale is funny--the private school moms, the Microsoft details, the blackberry bushes! And now I want to go to Antarctica.
Since I was just in Seattle, I loved the setting details--lots of familiar neighborhoods and landmarks.
I loved the book, but do not recommend the audiobook. I had to keep fiddling with the volume knob in my car. My car volume only goes up to 50, and I had to switch it between 25-40 at various times in the narrative. Some of the female voices were grating and very, very loud. Then Bernadette's husband would speak and the voice would be so low that I would have to turn it up. While I admire the narrator's different voices, I think the producers could have improved the volume before final production.
Bee is on the hunt for her mother. Bernadette has disappeared in Antarctica--did she commit suicide? Run away? Who can figure it out? Told through a collection of emails, faxes, letters and other documents, we trace the history of Bernadette and her connections with other Seattle-ites. Why did Bernadette stop building things after winning a prestigious architect award in LA? Why does she hate all things Canadian and hate to leave her house? This tale is funny--the private school moms, the Microsoft details, the blackberry bushes! And now I want to go to Antarctica.
Since I was just in Seattle, I loved the setting details--lots of familiar neighborhoods and landmarks.
I loved the book, but do not recommend the audiobook. I had to keep fiddling with the volume knob in my car. My car volume only goes up to 50, and I had to switch it between 25-40 at various times in the narrative. Some of the female voices were grating and very, very loud. Then Bernadette's husband would speak and the voice would be so low that I would have to turn it up. While I admire the narrator's different voices, I think the producers could have improved the volume before final production.
This book kept me up past my bedtime reading. One more page. Might as well finish the chapter.
Bee has created a unique school project for herself, detailing her mother's downward spiral. Her documentation gives a more balanced view of what really happened.
The story is riveting, if implausible. What I liked best was Bernadette's take on Seattle and Seattleites.
Bee has created a unique school project for herself, detailing her mother's downward spiral. Her documentation gives a more balanced view of what really happened.
The story is riveting, if implausible. What I liked best was Bernadette's take on Seattle and Seattleites.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes