Literary Marie: Where'd You Go, Bernadette?

August 6, 2013

Where'd You Go, Bernadette?

"Mr. Branch's description of his wife suggested social anxiety, medication-seeking behavior, agoraphobia, poor impulse control, untreated postpartum depression, and possible mania." ~ pg. 175

Bernadette Fox is a genius and legend. She's an opinionated, revolutionary architect, best friend and mom. But Bernadette kind of has an allergy to people. She makes a promise to 15-year-old daughter Bee to go on a family trip to Antarctica. Bernadette can't even make simple trips across town let alone travel to the other end of Earth. She just doesn't like to leave the house. She's even hired a virtual assistant (located in India) to run basic errands and take care of simple tasks.

"TIME-OUT! REALITY CHECK" ~ pg. 235

Then two days before Christmas, Bernadette disappeared into thin air. Nowhere to be found! Bee compiles rambling emails, correspondence and official documents to help find her mother, the misplaced genius.

This is my first book read by Maria Semple. Before writing fiction, she wrote for television shows Mad About You, Ellen, and Arrested Development. I got a very good first impression of Maria Semple's fiction work and look forward to reading more. It was an e-page clicker! Ever since reading Gone Girl I have been on the hunt for a similar good book. Where'd You Go, Bernadette is recommended if you're interested in a psychological suspense story. It would be an even greater movie! Check out the book trailer below.