Where’d You Go, Bernadette

by Maria Semple
Where’d You Go, Bernadette cover
Good Books rating 4.25
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  • ID: 2046
  • Added: 2025-10-11
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-15
charming 4.00

The novel is a delightful blend of humor and heart, with Bernadette's eccentricities making her a memorable character. The story explores themes of family, mental health, and self-discovery, offering a unique and engaging narrative.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette is a charming and witty novel that captures the essence of a quirky, brilliant woman on the verge of a breakdown. The story is told through a series of letters, emails, and documents, which adds a unique layer to the narrative. Bernadette's character is both hilarious and heartbreaking, making her journey deeply relatable. The novel explores important themes such as family dynamics, mental health, and the search for identity. While some plot points may feel thin at times, the overall story is engaging and thought-provoking. The author's ability to blend humor with serious issues makes this book a standout read.

Quick quotes

    Bernadette is a character you won't soon forget.

    Her eccentricities make her both endearing and frustrating.

    The novel's unique format adds a fresh perspective to the story.

devontrevarrowflaherty.com · Unknown · 2020-05-20
enjoyable 3.50

The reviewer enjoyed 'Where’d You Go, Bernadette' for its humor, satire, and quirky characters, particularly Bernadette and Bee. They appreciated the book's social commentary and whimsical tone, though they found the narrative structure and some characters annoying.

The reviewer initially picked up 'Where’d You Go, Bernadette' because a friend recommended it, and they're glad they did. They listened to the audiobook, which they enjoyed despite not typically preferring audiobooks. The narrator's distinct voice added to the experience, and the book's fast-paced, satirical writing reminded them of 'Gilmore Girls'. They appreciated the sarcasm and social commentary, which poked fun at various aspects of society. The book's whimsical and quirky nature made it enjoyable, though the narrative structure and some unlikable characters were frustrating. Despite these issues, the reviewer found Bernadette and Bee endearing and thought the book tackled deep topics with a charming tone.

Quick quotes

    That’s right,’ she told the girls. ‘You are bored. And I’m going to let you in on a little secret about life. You think it’s boring now? Well, it only gets more boring. The sooner you learn it’s on you to make life interesting, the better off you’ll be.

    I am still getting used to the whole audiobook experience, and they are for sure not my go-to, but I must say this one was pretty great.

    Overall, I thought this story was super quaint and funny, while still managing to tackle some pretty deep topics.

letthemreadcake.com · Unknown · 2020-03-02
enjoyable 4.50

The reviewer loved 'Where’d You Go, Bernadette?' despite its flaws, finding it a page-turner with engaging characters and a unique voice. They felt the satire missed the mark on some topics but overall enjoyed the book's humor and warmth.

The reviewer was initially hesitant about 'Where’d You Go, Bernadette?' due to its mixed reputation but ended up loving it. They found the book to be a page-turner, with engaging characters and a voice that was snarky, honest, and funny. The epistolary format was well-executed, though sometimes distracting. The reviewer appreciated Bernadette's character, finding her curmudgeonly yet warm. However, they felt the satire was off on certain topics, particularly regarding Christians and 12-step groups, which they found mildly offensive. Despite these issues, the reviewer enjoyed the book's humor and the precariousness of the story, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    I loved reading this book. Now…

    This book is a page-turner, so you want to be surprised.

    I felt like I was there, especially when I was hearing from Bernadette.

samannelizabeth.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2019-01-29
great 5.00

The book was not what they expected, but in a good way. They loved the characters and found them relatable, especially Bernadette, who was complex and intriguing. The easy-reading style made it enjoyable, despite some plot elements that felt unnecessary.

This book exceeded expectations, as it was not what they initially thought it would be. The reviewer had heard it billed as 'New Adult,' expecting content more suited to young adults, but was pleasantly surprised to find it focused on adults in their 40s with a YA-style writing approach. The characters were a highlight, particularly Bernadette, who was relatable and complex. Bee, however, seemed a bit unrealistic for her age. The story was engaging, with the 20-Mile House being a fascinating aspect. However, the subplot involving Bee and boarding school felt unnecessary and did not add much to the overall narrative. The audiobook narration was exceptional, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the book.

Quick quotes

    This book wasn’t what I was expecting, but in a good way.

    I loved the characters and it all seemed very real to me even though it was far-fetched beyond belief.

    Bernadette was my favorite character. She would be a fun mom but it was also plain that she expected a lot of her daughter.

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