51 pages • 1 hour read
Maria SempleWhere'd You Go, Bernadette
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2012A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple follows Bernadette Fox, a reclusive former architect in Seattle who mysteriously vanishes prior to a planned family trip to Antarctica. Her tech-savvy daughter, Bee, sifts through emails, letters, and documents to unravel the truth about her mother's disappearance. Sensitive topics include miscarriages, heart defects, and mental health concerns.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Maria Semple's novel Where'd You Go, Bernadette offers an engaging and humorous exploration of family dynamics and personal discovery. Reviewers appreciate its sharp wit and unique narrative style, but some note uneven pacing and underdeveloped secondary characters. Despite minor flaws, it's widely praised for its creativity and emotional depth.
Who Should Read Where'd You Go, Bernadette?
A reader who enjoys quirky, character-driven narratives with a blend of humor and emotional depth, reminiscent of Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections or Maria Meno's Big Trouble, would find Where'd You Go, Bernadette compelling. Ideal for fans of satirical social commentary and epistolary storytelling.
RecommendedReading Age
15-18yearsLexile Level
HL820L