Laura’s Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Tons of people I knew had read this book and I kept hearing nothing but positive reviews so I had to read it myself.
The Analysis:
Where’d You Go Bernadette was not what I expected. I was pleasantly surprised by the way the book was formatted: it consists of a bit of narration here and there, woven between memos, emails, letters, and reports. This both offered different character viewpoints and broke up what can sometimes feel like the monotony of a 300+ page book. I was never bored and was surprised at how quickly I tore through the book. The book was lighthearted enough to be a beach read, without becoming a fluff book with no substance.
The setting of Seattle was refreshingly different from settings that are all too familiar in today’s novels: L.A., New York, or a charming, small town. The author amusingly points out both the good and bad of a place like Seattle, making fun of its stereotypes while pointing out its unique features. The characters are interesting and original. Bee is a smart, loveable child. Her bond with her mother is heartwarming and again, different from a lot of other books. Bernadette is fascinating and her past and present are woven together to make an interesting woman that I can’t help but root for, despite her (many) faults. Elgin is the typical father who works a ton and is never home, but with a more modern twist. The side characters are developed enough for the reader to understand their personalities and their relevance to the plot. The book does a good job of illustrating that there is always more going on with people than meets the eye and people can surprise you.
I was worried that a story told partially from the perspective of an eighth grader would either feel childish or be unrealistically mature. However, author Maria Semple managed to create a perfect balance of keeping the story at an adult level of complexity and enjoyment while adding the genuine perspective of a child. I could really go for a second book to follow up on the events that transpire after this one, although a sequel is not necessary. The ending of the book implies events that are happening or are likely to happen, but there is certainly more to explore if the author chose to write more. I would absolutely recommend this book to almost anyone, as I see it being enjoyable for a wide array of readers.
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