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

Excellent story with a unique format

I really enjoyed this book. I liked that it was in format of letters and journals even though I thought it would take time to adjust to the format, it grabbed me right away. It made it captivating and exciting to listen to. The narrator was excellent! It had a storyline that was full of humor and had depth in its characters. It was a surprise how much I loved this book!

Kudos to the narrator

I rarely download audio books except in preparation for a long trip. This was an excellent choice for me. What a difference a great narrator can make. Many friends had read the hard copy & didn't have the accolades I have. Kathleen gets all the voices, inflections, nuances perfect (she reminds me of Paula Poundstone). Now I can't wait to see the film.

I can’t believe I waited so long to listen to it!

I actually put this book off because I thought it would be sad or about depression or even suicide. It’s so not! It’s more about picking yourself up from the bootstraps and reclaiming your life. Also it’s really funny and heartfelt! I really loved it. Bonus: fans of Gilmore Girls will recognize the narrator as Jesse’s mom!

Kind of quirky

I liked this book - a bit different, but an enjoyable listen. the movie? skip that!

Dear Manjula, Can you please find me another book like this.

Bernadette is an interesting character who has a virtual assistant named Manjula. Manjula does everything for Bernadette.

I have been so lucky to find 2 books in a row where I couldn’t predict the ending. I was hooked on Bernadette’s story and I didn’t want this book to end. When I want the story to keep going because I am enjoying the characters so much - that to me is fantastic writing.

An unexpected delight!

I had no idea what to expect when I started this book and I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. The characters were memorable, there were unexpected twists, and I loved the use of emails, letters, articles etc to tell part of the story.

Prepare to fall in love and hate!

In the first thirty seconds of Where'd You Go, Bernadette, I fell in love with the narrator. By the end of the first thirty minutes, the story had such a grip on me that I couldn't have stopped listening had I tried... but I'm far too smart to escape from this kind of entertainment. Most of the story comes from the point of view of Bea, Bernadette's teenage daughter. It is her story, after all. But there are priceless nuggets throughout. Letters from Bea's dad to a doctor made me scream, "No! Talk to your wife!" repeatedly at my speakers! Emails back and forth with with the Gnats caused me to laugh hysterically. There is so much good in this novel, you just can't go wrong. It is just about 9 1/2 hours and, while you might cry a time or two, anyone who needs a good laugh, a glimmer of hope in this increasingly hopeless world, or just something better than another night of live-streaming movies has got to listen to this book. Seriously, give it a try. I laughed for a good five hours straight in the middle of the book. And we all know laughter is the best distraction from reality!

Great story, albeit it hard at first.

I’m not sure if it was as difficult at the beginning for the book readers. Listening to it, I’d say the first 1/3 of the book was read way too fast without enough pausing space and hardly any noticeable change in voice when going from one character to another. It was a test of will to keep going ...but I’m glad I did. Definitely a different and refreshing storyline! Can’t wait to see the movie!

Perfect Timing

I was waiting for a book that would make me laugh this hard. Found it.

Loved her!!

I loved all the characters but specially Bernadette! She’s weird, she’s loving, she’s lovable, she’s damaged, she’s brilliant, and she doesn’t give a shit what anyone thinks of her!