Where'd You Go, Bernadette

A Novel

By: Maria Semple

Narrated by: Kathleen Wilhoite

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.

Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle - and people in general - has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.

To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence - creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world.

©2012 Maria Semple (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Couldn't stop listening

This book was great! The story was captivating and the unique style in which it is presented contributed to the mystery of Bernadette.

Narration was a bit confusing at times, especially during some of the longer correspondences, but overall well done.

Loved it!

Great story line. The performance was great. I can't wait for the movie to come out.

Narrator Should Have the Audibook Oscar

The way the story is told through emails and notes, listening to it takes some attention. But the narrator Kathleen Wilhoite more than makes up for it. Her interpretation of this story is a total delight, makes me glad I listened rather than read.

Bernadette!

This is a clever book. I laughed out loud more than once in this suburban school-mom controlled story. Yes! I can relate to those annoying moms! Suddenly, where is Bernadette? The journey to find her is sweet, funny, and a real stretch of the imagination, but this is fiction, right?
Well done Maria Semple! Listen to it for the fun of a very different story told from the prospective of a young girl & an "out there" mom.

excellent story, great book, amazing recording

I am very glad i was able to listen to this audio book. Great book, excellent story, and amazing recording. I am looking forward to read or listen more written by Maria Semple.

best fun book I've read in a very long time.

fabulously written and my favorite narrator to date. bravo
a must read for anyone looking for a fun, never dull moment

Entertaining

but a bit far fetched. If you have ever worked for Microsoft you will probably love this book. If not, I think you will find it entertaining, but certainly no masterpiece. There were a few scenes that I really identified with; particularly her numerous interactions with the other snobby moms from the prep school. I thought the narrator did a nice job (definitely above average), but it was not someone I had heard before.

Delightful, entertaining book

If you could sum up Where'd You Go, Bernadette in three words, what would they be?

entertaining, insightful, smart

Which character – as performed by Kathleen Wilhoite – was your favorite?

"Bee"--the daughter

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Bee's awakening to how music can transport a person

Any additional comments?

The characters are vividly drawn and interesting. There is a wonderful sense of absurdity in the story. There was one scene that was such brilliantly crafted farce, it should be on stage. There was another hilarious scene in which a a women in an emotional frenzy, is trying to type a letter on a poorly functioning computer. I literally laughed out loud. The mother's description of Seattle reminds me of the satirical TV show "Portlandia". I am particularly impressed by the depth of understanding with which the author creates Bee, an eighth grade girl. The story handles painful human issues sensitivity but without sentimentality; it's sophisticated without being snobby. I was sorry when the story ended.And kudos to the superb reader!

Lovely, Light, and Loony

Any additional comments?

I am glad I followed my instincts to download this one. Where'd You Go, Bernadette was a breath of fresh air (or to reference the book, a neti pot irrigation). This is the kind of book I long to listen to after a series of long or dense books. It had been patiently waiting in my library until I needed it. Maria Semple's writing hit the spot.

I am guessing most audible listeners respond, as I do, with unexpected delight when authors include small details that resonate with their world. There were many in Where'd You Go, Bernadette for me. I enjoyed the familiar and the highlighting of how individuals' perceptions differ. Even better was that those who were deluded saw the light. Kathleen Wilhoite did an exceptional job carrying the feeling tone of the characters. Her portrayal of Bee sounded younger than her years, but this was not a problem as her narration supported the story unfolding.

You won't be disappointed with this one!

Bernadette is super wacky but loveable, and completely misunderstood by all who know her or think they know her.
Her husband is a revered guru at "Mr Softie" but a non-performer in their home lives.
They are transplanted LA'rs living among hi strung granola crunchers in Seattle. The story centers around their daughters private high school and their relationships with the other parents.
You also get an inside look at corporate life at the headquarters campus of Microsoft.
The story is filled with quirky but believable characters.
The author very deftly unfolds the story of how each family member came to be where they are now in their lives and then ties the story up in a very fresh unexpected manner. No spoiler alert here!
My attention was held throughout the book and was captivated with each reveal, both the good ones and the bad ones. You go Bernadette!
I look forward to reading much more by Maria Semple