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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The satire doesn’t just drip off this novel, but it’s also not pouring. Regardless, like the residents of Seattle, you have to be willing to stand in it and embrace the dampness. As a fan of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires and a devotee of Tom Robbins, I enjoyed this book, laughed, chuckled, and dreamt about glaciers. Never before has a book so perfectly articulated the beauty of these things AND poked at PTA moms at the same time. I really enjoyed this.
Some things are all about perspective.
On the first pages, the reader is introduced to Bee, a young teenager whose mother has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The opening section of the book is a sometimes-confusing scrapbook of emails, letters, narration,bills, and reports that eventually, brilliantly, tell of the circumstances surrounding Bernadette's disappearance. I wouldn't suggest putting this book down for long periods of time, though I don't know who would want to. The pacing is excellent. The voices of the supporting characters are excellent, as is the limited points of view of each of those characters. The sense of mystery is intriguing. The book slows down a bit when Bee takes over full-time narration toward the end (and she is sometimes a little annoying), but overall, not much to criticize from me.
On the first pages, the reader is introduced to Bee, a young teenager whose mother has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The opening section of the book is a sometimes-confusing scrapbook of emails, letters, narration,bills, and reports that eventually, brilliantly, tell of the circumstances surrounding Bernadette's disappearance. I wouldn't suggest putting this book down for long periods of time, though I don't know who would want to. The pacing is excellent. The voices of the supporting characters are excellent, as is the limited points of view of each of those characters. The sense of mystery is intriguing. The book slows down a bit when Bee takes over full-time narration toward the end (and she is sometimes a little annoying), but overall, not much to criticize from me.
This book was lighthearted and well written. I laughed out loud at several parts. It does have strong language. I would put it as a good Adult novel.
Fun and entertaining. I enjoyed the character of Bernadette Fox.
Maybe it’s the way this book is formatted in emails, letters, etc but I could not stay focused. The story line is super relatable to any over worked, multitasking parent and spouse but other than that it just fell flat.
I do love Bee and Bernadette’s relationship. It’s precious and relatable. Especially as a parent to a medically fragile child.
Bernadette and Elgie’s relationship was super frustrating, which I guess is the point. But to what extent? Some simple communication would have been great.
Overall, if you’re looking for a relatable storyline without having to do much thinking and just want to go along for the ride, this is the book for you.
I do love Bee and Bernadette’s relationship. It’s precious and relatable. Especially as a parent to a medically fragile child.
Bernadette and Elgie’s relationship was super frustrating, which I guess is the point. But to what extent? Some simple communication would have been great.
Overall, if you’re looking for a relatable storyline without having to do much thinking and just want to go along for the ride, this is the book for you.
I loved this book! I'm not normally one for books told mainly in letters/emails/whatever, but it worked really well here, and the writing was great. Such interesting, funny, quirky characters - definitely a must-read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this send up of private schools, competitiveness among parents (on behalf of themselves), and being in the public eye. Of course, there’s more than that in this romp with its twists and turns, a look into mental health, outsourcing life to virtual assistants, digital hacking, career building, empathizing, adventuring, and taking matters into one’s own hands. Plus a resourceful and determined daughter.
Could be the story resonated because I’ve spent 38 years teaching about computers in private schools in the New York metropolitan region... Nonetheless, I liked the book within the “book” and enjoyed the pacing of the dialogue and story line.
Could be the story resonated because I’ve spent 38 years teaching about computers in private schools in the New York metropolitan region... Nonetheless, I liked the book within the “book” and enjoyed the pacing of the dialogue and story line.
I couldn't finish this book. I read a half; I know the heroine is supposed to change for the better, but I couldn't take the silly bitchiness anymore. I would have finished it, but small things irritated me too much: she doesn't understand Spanish in one chapter, then, one chapter later, she speaks Spanish to the workers. She builds two houses, both for herself, and she is an architectural genius, with a McArthur grant, no less. Her husband works with the computers, and of course he graduated from MIT, the only place that produces computer people. I understand this book isn't trying to be the Great American Novel, but put some effort at least.
I recently moved to Seattle from CA and many of the comments about Seattle mirror my own thoughts perfectly. I enjoyed recognizing different restaurants, places, and types of people.
The story focuses on the events leading up to and investigation of Bernadette's disappearance. The characters and situations they find themselves in are absolutely hilarious. The commentary on the wealthy, privileged, and uptight nature of certain Seattle residents is satirical to the extreme and I loved every page.
The story and characters are a bit flimsy, but on par for a satire. I'm also not a huge fan of Bernadette's reaction to everything her husband did, but can't delve in to details without ruining some surprises.
The story focuses on the events leading up to and investigation of Bernadette's disappearance. The characters and situations they find themselves in are absolutely hilarious. The commentary on the wealthy, privileged, and uptight nature of certain Seattle residents is satirical to the extreme and I loved every page.
The story and characters are a bit flimsy, but on par for a satire. I'm also not a huge fan of Bernadette's reaction to everything her husband did, but can't delve in to details without ruining some surprises.