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congressbaby143's review against another edition
I watched the movie first and it’s something I have watched twice because it moved me in certain ways. The movie has found me at a time when, after seeing it, I thought I needed to see THAT. After my second re-watching, I resolved to get my hands on a copy of the book and find more illuminations from certain truths I have found in the movie.
To say I was disappointed is a kindness. I’m glad I watched the movie first. I’ll always have the movie and Kate Blanchett, my mom. The movie was able to grab the best parts. It did stay true to about 85-90% of the book, I’d give the book that.
The characters are more relatable, justified, and likable in the movie. I know characters aren’t always made for us to like them but oh god I have never read a book that made sure I hated something about each character. In the movie, I was rooting for Bee and Bernadette amid their flaws but in the book I kinda had to take a step back and think that these characters were actually based on snotty, demeaning, and borderline racist characters. To think that I actually related to some of their truths - and find that, in the bigger context, they were horrible people - was also horrifying for me.
I gave it two stars because it was easy enough to read and because I got the book with the movie cover. And I loved the movie, so it’s one star more than I intended to really give it.
To say I was disappointed is a kindness. I’m glad I watched the movie first. I’ll always have the movie and Kate Blanchett, my mom. The movie was able to grab the best parts. It did stay true to about 85-90% of the book, I’d give the book that.
The characters are more relatable, justified, and likable in the movie. I know characters aren’t always made for us to like them but oh god I have never read a book that made sure I hated something about each character. In the movie, I was rooting for Bee and Bernadette amid their flaws but in the book I kinda had to take a step back and think that these characters were actually based on snotty, demeaning, and borderline racist characters. To think that I actually related to some of their truths - and find that, in the bigger context, they were horrible people - was also horrifying for me.
I gave it two stars because it was easy enough to read and because I got the book with the movie cover. And I loved the movie, so it’s one star more than I intended to really give it.
hannscaveny's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I adore this chick-lit as a non-romantic engagement with the wiles of womanhood and creative prowess. Love the mild mystery and post-modern chapter organization as well.
suhbreenah's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Such a fun read!! I was mega frustrated in the middle but I trusted the process and loved the ending
deannamartin113's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ms. Semple is a gifted satirist. The characters were engrossing and I found myself instinctively understanding Bernadette. Although, a little far-fetched- particularly at the end- this is a great read. I loved the format the book was written with the story being told mostly through correspondence between the characters with 1st person narration from the daughter, Bee, to hold it all together and fill in the cracks.
mels_reading_log's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Bernadette doesn’t belong in Seattle, but her husband is a big shot at Microsoft, so there she is. So different from all the other moms at her kid’s (Bee) school. In a wild series of events in which everyone acts without actually discussing anything with each other, Bernadette goes missing. Now it’s up to Bee to think like her mom to try to find her even though everyone else has given up hope. This book was hilarious and I loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Grief, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, Animal death, Bullying, and Drug use
thisisthelion's review against another edition
2.0
Hmmm... What to say about this book? It certainly wasn't what I expected. Reading the synopsis I though the book was about Bernadette's disappearance and it was to be more of the search for her, kind of a mystery novel about a woman with a unknown past or something. I don't know, I had the wrong idea.
Truth is, I have no idea where to shelve this. Nor really what to say about it. Fine, I was curious about what the whole point of the book was and that's why I continued reading. But after reading it, I'm like "so what?". It's a book I will soon forget.
Truth is, I have no idea where to shelve this. Nor really what to say about it. Fine, I was curious about what the whole point of the book was and that's why I continued reading. But after reading it, I'm like "so what?". It's a book I will soon forget.
swaye's review against another edition
4.0
*happy sigh* That ending was what I imagine a warm hug from Cate Blanchett must feel like.