Book Review: Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

4.5 out of 5 stars

Where DID you go, Bernadette? That question did not let me put down the book until I found out what happened to the kooky/crazy genius, Bernadette Fox.

Bernadette’s husband, her daughter, a Russian identity theft ring, the FBI and the PTA are looking for her.

Bernadette is this kooky, super smart lady that used to be a world-renowned architect genius. However, she goes through a very traumatic event early in her career. This event leads her to abandon her career and move with her tech genius husband to Seattle to raise their only child. All her energy is focused on raising her smart and adorable daughter, Bee.

Along the way, 12 years later, Bernadette has become reclusive and abhors to leave her house or interact with other people. Her behavior quickly worsens (due to an impending cruise to Alaska) and finally attracts the attention of her oblivious husband. At this point he thinks she needs to be admitted into a mental institution. And this is where her daughter puts together all the evidence in forms of emails and interviews to find her mother and prove to everyone that she isn’t crazy nor dead.

What I loved:

• Bernadette is hilarious! And whip smart. Even though she hates going out and talking to people, she has the best interactions via email with her virtual assistant from India.
• Bernadette’s 12 year old daughter is awesome and also very smart. She always has Bernadette’s back and is loyal to her no matter what. I loved their mother/daughter relationship, it was sweet and endearing.
• Bernadette’s war against the petty and nosy moms at her daughter’s school.
• The cult like status that Bernadette has in the world of architecture. Rare sightings of her is like bumping into Elvis Presley.

What I wasn’t crazy about: (SPOILER ALERT)

• I can’t believe her husband cheated on her! Ughhhh. However, don’t let this stop you from reading this book. The husband’s character is very interesting and believe it or not, charming. In the end, he does redeem himself.

That’s it’s. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book. I loved it! I laughed out loud so many times and just absolutely adored Bernadette and her daughter, Bee.

Happy reading!

<3 Izzie