Where'd You Go, Bernadette cover art

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

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Where'd You Go, Bernadette

By: Maria Semple
Narrated by: Kathleen Wilhoite
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About this listen

A major film starring Cate Blanchett

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 an irresistibly written, deeply touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's place in the world.

2013, Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction, Short-listed

2013, IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, Long-listed

©2012 Maria Semple (P)2012 Hachette Audio Fiction Literature & Fiction Women's Fiction Witty Funny Feel-Good Comedy

Critic Reviews

I love the extraordinarily well-drawn characters, the plot, the tender, lovely relationship, the humour, and the courage to do daring things (Nina Stibbe)
All stars
Most relevant
I love Bernadette, Bea and Ellie. Audrey is completely nuts. So fun to ‘read’. Can’t wait to watch the film.

Funny, fun, human, lovely

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Would make a great tv series- however as an audible book there was so much aggression in the reading of the emails. Became irritating to listen to. A simple story that veered off into areas of education particularly about Antarctica which differed from the style of writing through the remainder of the book.

Pithy and angry

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This book has everything - intrigue, love, comedy, right of passage, relationship and social woes; you name it. Only thing I could say against listening to this story is that the content and performance are so good, you’ll ignore your family and cancel all your appointment to stay immersed in it.

I was completely gripped

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A delightful heartfelt story. So much was relatable and it is a bit of a relief that the ‘ghastly’ turned out, well decent! I’ve not read a lot recently where self awareness was allowed. Narcissism tends to be incurable.

The narrator was an excellent up beat teen girl. But if she ever tries an English, Australian or, god help me, New Zealand (really.... what WAS that?) accent again she’ll need cultural sensitivity training. Minor but grating complaint from an Antipodeon.

Just one thing

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The characters were so lovable, though I didn't want to let go & must admit a did feel a bit empty at the finish - but I'm not one for loose ends. The audible version is very cleverly read & I'm pleased I chose this version over the written.

Intriguing. Fabulous performances by readers

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I really enjoyed the style of this book and the performance is excellent. I found it a very enjoyable and easy listen.

....but a word of caution for those who may be so inclined - less than a week after finishing this book I had booked my own trip to Antarctica! Bee and Bernadette provided just the push I needed to fulfil a lifelong dream :)

An enjoyable read

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Loved this book as it spiralled into the head of Bernadette and her way of viewing the world.

Things aren't always as they seem

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This is an absolutely gorgeous story. Fabulous characters. Perfectly narrated. I wanted it to never end.

I LOVED this beautiful book

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The narrator is full of life in the telling of this story, fabulous! The story itself is very clever, funny and warm. It’s one of those books that you can’t put down. I finished it in a day.

Clever, funny and warm

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wonderful narrator, such great characterisation and performance. excellent fun story with some genuine unexpected twists and turns

wonderful narrator really fun story

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