Where'd You Go, Bernadette Audiobook By Maria Semple cover art

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

The New York Times bestseller, now a major motion picture starring Cate Blanchett

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Where'd You Go, Bernadette

By: Maria Semple
Narrated by: Kathleen Wilhoite
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Bernadette Fox is notorious.

To Elgie Branch, a Microsoft wunderkind, she's his hilarious, volatile, talented, troubled wife.
To fellow mothers at the school gate, she's a menace.
To design experts, she's a revolutionary architect.
And to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, quite simply, mum.

Then Bernadette disappears. And Bee must take a trip to the end of the earth to find her.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette is a compulsively readable, irresistibly written, deeply touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's place in the world.

(p) 2012 Hachette Audio©2012 Maria Semple Literature & Fiction Women's Fiction Funny Witty

Critic reviews

It's intelligent but easy to read; eccentric but never twee.
I love the extraordinarily well-drawn characters, the plot, the tender, lovely relationship, the humour, and the courage to do daring things (Nina Stibbe)
Extremely funny, often laugh-out-loud so... with her penchant for unexpected twists and smart, jet propelled dialogue, Semple has a way of combining a technologically savvy, ice-cool wit with a stealthy ability to show gradually a character's warmer side
The characters in Bernadette may be in real emotional pain, but Semple has the wit and perspective and imagination to make their story hilarious. I tore through this book with heedless pleasure
Fresh and funny and accomplished, but the best thing about it was that I never had any idea what was going to happen next. It was a wild ride
A fresh, flamboyantly witty new voice
A delightfully funny book, that constantly catches one by surprise, Where'd You Go, Bernadette combines a shrewdly observed portrait of Seattle life with, of all things, a mysterious disappearance in Antarctica. A pleasure
Maria Semple dissects the gory complexities of familial dysfunction with a deft and tender hand. Where'd You Go, Bernadette is a triumph of social observation and black comedy by a skilful chronicler of moneyed malaise
If you loved the humour of A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD, pack this sharp, witty novel...A fabulously kooky tale
A clever, witty page-turner with sparkling dialogue, some hilarious episodes and a heart that gradually melts
[A] deeply touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's place in the world. A seriously compulsive read
In what is at times a sad and painful tale about family dysfunction, black comedy waylays sentimentality. Semple's second novel is a witty, thrilling adventure about creation, destruction, the Antarctic - and the maternal bond
The funniest book I've read in a decade. I laughed to the point of crying on an airplane. My wife thought I'd lost my mind until she read it a few days later
A novel full of honesty and heart
All stars
Most relevant

Would you listen to Where'd You Go, Bernadette again? Why?

No, as I tend never to read books over again

What did you like best about this story?

The actual story line and the absurdness of some of the characters

Which character – as performed by Kathleen Wilhoite – was your favorite?

Bernadette

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me laugh and also cry

Funny but Clever

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The reader makes Bernadette, a true introvert if ever there was one, sound like a preppy extrovert, all exclamations and gush, especially in her letters.

Good story irritating performance

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Would you consider the audio edition of Where'd You Go, Bernadette to be better than the print version?

Yes, its an entertaining book with lots of drama and humour that i think benefits from an audio performance like this narrator gives. Different voices, inflections and emphasis gives depth and body to this colourful story. Also Kathleen the narrator can sing !

Who was your favorite character and why?

Other than the obvious heroine Bernadette i loved Audrey. Good development and story arc and we all know someone like her.

Entertaining read

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It was chaotic, messy and I loved it! The voices that Kathleen Wilhoite made for certain characters was amazing.

So much fun!

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What did you love best about Where'd You Go, Bernadette?

Bernadette - such an amazing character. And Bee! She's so mature for 15. The soap-opera quality of the gossip the gnats exchange was delightful as well.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Where'd You Go, Bernadette?

When Bee defends Bernadette against Audrey, and she decides that she'll never listens to The Beatles again.

What does Kathleen Wilhoite bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The music at the Christmas concert Bee attends. She has a beautiful voice. She also brought Bee to life - especially after Bernadette has gone missing and she becomes a total cheeky adolescent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely!

Any additional comments?

I'm pretty stingy with my credits, but this was a worthwhile spend :)

My favourite of 2013 to date

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