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

Funny

Funny, light hearted. Great book if you need a laugh. It’s a good listen!
The discretion of Seattle and it’s people is spot on.

Loved it

I rarely take the time to write a review as I enjoy very few books as much as I did this one. The story was always interesting and intriguing and told in such a way as to keep me wanting more and unable to stop. As a plus, the narration took it over the top. Kathleen Wilhoite has a voice that just makes you smile—the innocence and whimsy she gives B’s character is infectious. Well done!

good read

I loved and hated Bernadette at the same time. The narrator was okay. Such a good mother, daughter bond. Totally entertaining.

Loved it!!!!

I truly enjoyed the characters in this story - each with an interesting mix of quirky, tragic, loving and ugly traits. And, as someone working in "hi-tech", it was fun to hear the bits about Microsoft, Ted Talks, etc.

Fabulously unique and funny

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes!!
There were fresh observations of modern life, and the people we have become. There is a lot of depth to this book, and the humor comes from this angle, wry and refreshing, not campy or tired stereotypes that fill so many pop books about women.

What did you like best about this story?

The relationships that the central character has, the descriptions of each and every character, who are also well developed. The dread that the main character feels in coping with some of the characters and the ironic astute humor. The story was an original so there was no boredom or that feeling of reading the same formulaic book you've read before.

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

Bernadette!!

LOVED IT!

Awesome story- great characters. Amazing. Mad it took me so long to finally read/listen to it!!

I Should Have Read Rather Than Listened

The book is great fun, so much so that I did not give up early thanks to the narrator's characterization of Bee. I had heard so many great things that I did not preview the sample and just bought it. The narrator does a great job giving each character a distinct voice, but every time Bee came on I wanted to scream. And Bee comes on a lot. However like others, I was blown away by Wilhoite's singing, My recommendation is try the sample. Bee's voice is always high pitched and annoying, not just when she is dancing around because she is getting what she wants for graduation. If you can handle it I do not think you will be disappointed in the audio version of the book. If you are then buy this one to read. Because it is a great story worth discovering.

Uplifting and fun

The narrator does a fantastic job with the story. Captivating and so many laugh out loud moments. Well worth it!

Funny, inventive, and surprising!

I really love this book. The characters are unique and vibrant. Not the run-of-the-mill. if you like humorous fiction, I strongly recommend it.

So glad I purchased this book

What made the experience of listening to Where'd You Go, Bernadette the most enjoyable?

Kathleen Wilhoite's performance. Hands down.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bernadette and Bee. Bernadette was misunderstood and always interesting. Bee had a great personality, knew what was going on and wasn't afraid to stand for what she believed.

What does Kathleen Wilhoite bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voices. She was able to capture the voices exactly how I could have imagined and it only helped me to be able to picture the story, characters and events that took place.

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

absolutely, you'll have to read to know!

Any additional comments?

It was wonderful.