Toby A. Smith
This novel is fast, wildly creative, unpredictable, even a bit zany. Just don't give up on it. Because I nearly gave it up after completing the first section. At that point I thought it was going to be just another satirical look at the unique culture of of the Pacific Northwest. Affluent but dedicated parents in Seattle who compete around school volunteering. Terminal niceness. And one family that doesn't quite fit in. Fortunately, as I read on, the book became much more complex and compelling. At its heart is the newly arrived Branch family: •Elgin - a pioneering genius guru at Microsoft, whose Ted Talk is one of the most watched EVER. •Bernadette - a visionary architect and former MacArthur grant winner, who has trouble settling into Seattle. •Bee - their 15-year-old super smart daughter, with a history of health issues, and a budding interest in attending an Elite East Coast prep school. From the title, you know that at some point Bernadette disappears. But what you can't know (and I certainly won't give it away here) is why and how. There will be moments when you think you understand. But author Maria Semple has a whole host of surprises in store. You will meet villains who become heroes and supposed heroes who turn out to work purely to further their own self-interest. It's an interesting tale that examines the illusive nature of "truth" and, more specifically, what can happen when people interpret events differently and BELIEVE they understand something when they don't. The author builds the novel out of straight narration, supplemented by emails, letters, and assorted reports from physicians, police, and the FBI. It's a fun read.
2 people found this review helpful
A Google user
I couldn't put this book down. It felt a bit like spying on very interesting, gossip-worthy people without threat of being caught. The ending was a tad rushed in an effort to close up some story lines, but the details about pop culture -- TEDTalks, Abbey Road, PTA meetings -- made it a delightful read throughout.
1 person found this review helpful
Netta Denes Drimer
You got to love Bernadette but you can't understand what is going in her mind. Enjoyed every page, although in some chapters I had hard time to follow Bernadette's story (mostly the last chapter).
2 people found this review helpful