Where'd You Go, Bernadette? - Maria Semple

55%
26.07.13

This has been much-hyped for its humour and heart, but I had a hard time finding either. I'm all for unsympathetic characters if they're also interesting but it's wearing when all the characters are boring and unpleasant, and these were a load of neurotic people shouting at each other and ruining their lives in unlikely ways. Yet again, I can't quite connect with the general applause for this one.

And why isn't there a question mark on the cover? I'm glad I read this on my Kindle so it didn't irritate me until now.

4 comments:

  1. Hmm, I might skip this one. Sounds like an exclamation mark was more to the point given the shouting in the book. As in Where'd You Go.... Bernadette!!!

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  2. Yes, that about sums it up! Other people seem to think it's funny, so don't let me put you off!

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  3. I saw another review that described it as 'whiny one-per-center drivel'. A little harsh maybe, but not by much.

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  4. It's been hyped to high heaven in the media but I've yet to meet anyone who's actually enjoyed it - though one friend said they heard the author read a passage and it came across as hilarious. Perhaps context is all.

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