Book Review and Give Away: Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
Friday, August 31, 2012 Posted by Dina
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.
My Thoughts
Where'd You Go, Bernadette is Maria Semple's second novel. A couple of years ago, I enjoyed reading her first, This One Is Mine (here's my review of This One Is Mine in case you missed it). If Maria Semple's new book was anything like her debut, I knew I'd be getting a smart and entertaining novel. Where'd You Go, Bernadette far exceeded my expectations. I loved this wonderful book that combines the moving and the hilarious, poking fun at the absurd extremes of social, parenting, and professional overachievers. There's satire and emotional pain, hilarity and seriousness, all mixed up with an amusing glimpse at Seattle life.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette
is new this month from Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group. Check out the book and the author on Facebook. The Giveaway
Three (3) lucky U.S. / Canadian readers will each win a copy of Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple.
To enter, please follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter form.
* If you can't see the form, please refresh your page, make sure Javascript is enabled, or try another browser.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book to facilitate this review. This post is not compensated and reflects my personal opinion that may differ from yours.
August 31, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Louise Penny's The Beautiful Mystery is on my list.
August 31, 2012 at 4:35 PM
Can't wait to read A Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny.
August 31, 2012 at 6:42 PM
Currently re-reading the Harry Potter series, and Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella.
August 31, 2012 at 6:48 PM
I want to read the Rise of Nine. There are so many new books coming out that I want to read. Tore923@aol.com
August 31, 2012 at 7:17 PM
Up next is THE PARIS WIFE by Paula McLain.
thank you,
Christine W
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
August 31, 2012 at 8:59 PM
Up next is Love is Murder Anthology.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
August 31, 2012 at 9:32 PM
The Room
Kims2312@verizon.net
August 31, 2012 at 11:13 PM
A bunch of stuff, leading off with Amelia Anne is Dead and gone.
August 31, 2012 at 11:14 PM
A bunch of stuff, leading off is Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone.
September 1, 2012 at 8:18 AM
The Bible. Patricia
September 1, 2012 at 12:05 PM
The Sense of Ending by Julian Barners
September 1, 2012 at 6:40 PM
I just finished reading "Flesh" - - - Paul T/Pauline T aka Paul Tran..... emscout9 at Hotmail dot com
September 1, 2012 at 6:48 PM
Followed on RSS…Google reader subscriber …as Paul T / Pauline T (Paul Tran…pls use emscout9 at hotmail dot com instead of gmail to contact me)
September 1, 2012 at 8:57 PM
I am getting ready to start 'The Shoemaker's Wife', and just finished 'Seraphina'. Thanks!
September 1, 2012 at 10:44 PM
50 shades :)
Jocelyne Alldrick
jocypou@hotmail.com
September 2, 2012 at 12:45 AM
I intend to read The Hunger games soon
September 2, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Dream Lake by Lisa K.
primabee at hotmail dot com
September 2, 2012 at 10:37 PM
Black Hills!
September 3, 2012 at 1:04 PM
The Green Mile
coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
September 4, 2012 at 4:39 PM
I need to read "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson eventually. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
September 4, 2012 at 6:39 PM
I'm reading 50 shades of grey
September 6, 2012 at 8:52 PM
Right now I'm reading this YA book called Fingerprints of You that is quite good. I'm also reading some Sherlock Holmes short stories for school.
September 10, 2012 at 7:14 PM
I am reading right now Another Thing To Fall by Laura Lippman.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
September 12, 2012 at 12:54 PM
I am reading Second Nature by Michael Pollan.
September 12, 2012 at 5:59 PM
Clockwork Angel