Where'd You Go, Bernadette image number 0

A misanthropic matriarch leaves her eccentric family in crisis when she mysteriously disappears in this whip-smart and "divinely funny" novel that inspired the movie starring Cate Blanchett (New York Times).
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 her best friend and, simply, Mom.

Then Bernadette vanishes. It all 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, and secret correspondence--creating a compulsively readable and surprisingly touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world.

Item Information Item Information

Format: TradePaperback
Author: Semple, Maria
ISBN: 9780316415866
Condition: Used
Dimensions: 8.20 x 1.10
Number Of Pages: 368
Publication Year: 2019

Customer Reviews

Rating Snapshot

5 ★ 92%

4 ★ 8%

3 ★ 0%

2 ★ 0%

1 ★ 0%

4.9

13 Ratings

0 Recommendations

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This quirky, satirical novel will have you laughing out loud.

Jeremy F. - 9 months ago

I picked up Maria Semple's second book base on the cover alone. It ended up being my favorite book of 2014. It follows the quirky life of Bernadette Fox, once architectural genius, now agoraphobic stay-at-home mom. When her gifted daughter, Bee brings home a perfect report card and is granted her one wish of a trip to Antarctica, it pushes Bernadette over the edge and she disappears. What follows is Bee's attempts at locating her missing mother while discovering who her mother is. Written through emails, letters, FBI documents as well narrative, this book is at times heartwarming, laugh-out-loud funny, and thoroughly absurd.
HPB Staff Review
MY FAVORITE BOOK

Molly H. - 5 years 6 months ago

This book is legitimately one of my absolute favorite books, and for a reader, that is not said lightly. That's how good this book is. 10/10 recommend!! #bannedbook
Great Fun + Easy Read

Betsy E. - 5 years 9 months ago

Light-hearted page turner. I didn't ever want to just skip to the end, I was eager to read every page! One of my favorite fiction books of the year, just convinced my mom to order a copy as well. :) #SummerReading
Best book for Moms who feel that they need some laughter and some understanding! #SummerReading

Mo B. - 5 years 9 months ago

Love this book! It earned a spot on my shelf of "favorites" -- a spot not easily won! This book made me feel like motherhood mattered, but I matter, too, and how not to lose myself amidst the very important but all-consuming work of raising children. Read this book to laugh, to feel understood, to feel angry at the ways we lose ourselves as mothers, and to feel renewed joy when Bernadette finds her joy again! #SummerReading
A great book if you need a laugh

HPB S. - 5 years 9 months ago

This book is laugh-out-loud funny. I enjoyed the movie but the book is much better. I don't even have children and I appreciated the pains the main character has to go through to communicate with the "Mercedes" parents at the private school her daughter attends. Highly recommended.

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Where'd You Go, Bernadette

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Customer Reviews

Rating Snapshot

Review Images

This quirky, satirical novel will have you laughing out loud.

MY FAVORITE BOOK

Great Fun + Easy Read

Best book for Moms who feel that they need some laughter and some understanding! #SummerReading

A great book if you need a laugh