Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple, narrated by Kathleen Wilhoite
Published in audio by Hachette Audio, published in print by Little, Brown and Company
Synopsis:
From the publisher:
Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she’s a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she’s a disgrace; to design mavens, she’s a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.
Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette’s intensifying allergy to Seattle - and people in general - has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.
To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence - creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter’s role in an absurd world.
Thoughts on the story:
Where’d You Go, Bernadette? is charmingly told, the story of a young girl and her missing mother. There is a series of improbable events that seem like they should be ridiculous, but which instead become a lovely story that will captivate readers.
Thoughts on the audio production:
I may be the only one who feels this way, but I don’t totally love Kathleen Wilhoite as a narrator. She is talented and does pull off the voice of a young girl well, but - in a totally nitpicky way - I find her voice almost TOO little girl-like here, and it sorts of grates on my nerves. This is a totally subjective thing, objectively she’s good, but there’s just some quality in her voice that doesn’t thrill me.
Overall:
A good production and a wonderful book, but I didn’t love the audio as much as some others do.
For more information on this book, check out the publisher’s page.
Source: Publisher
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I thought this was a fun, quirky book. I read the print version though.
Count me as one of those who loved Wilhoite’s narration - when she sang it gave me goosebumps.
I read this and adored it
So funny and smart.
Hmmm. Now I don’t know what to do, read the book or listen to the audio! Baby talk grates on me, so I’ll have to see!
I hadn’t heard of this book until just now and will have to see if my library has a copy. It sounds like it might be fun despite the narration 😉
So funny that you reviewed this one today. I’ve been pondering this one for awhile. I liked the story, but I agree with you about the narration. It wasn’t my favorite.
I was a little too quick hitting enter. Oops! I was thinking about posting my review today but haven’t gotten around to finishing it. Hence the funny.
Yeah I just reviewed this novel over at http://www.thecuecard.com/ . I too found it quirky and engaging.