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apuskas's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, though I am not sure why I expected anything different. Two things: most (essentially all) characters, including unpleasant ones, are portrayed with a bit of cheer and redemption. Also, there is a sneaky combination of meandering and economy in the prose.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Toxic friendship
sodapopsio's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Animal cruelty and Rape
mateoj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think the main selling point for this story is the way it's told partially via emails, notes, articles, etc ; I'm a sucker for that trope. Unfortunately, Where'd You Go, Bernadette falls victim to the classic pratfall of that trope, which is that the characters write unrealistically long and prosaic emails and letters in order to get the narrative across. This grated on my nerves throughout the novel, but I have to admit that it was fun to read nonetheless. The story itself... equal parts entertaining and infuriating. The only character I found remotely tolerable and redeemable was Bee; everyone else sucked, especially Bernadette herself. All I really saw in her was a very mentally ill woman who was unhealthily attached to her child and had an incredible amount of sheer dumb luck. The answer to the title question should really have been "therapy"—but rhen, of course, there would be no story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny and Rape
nodogsonthemoon's review
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Rape