Where'd You Go, Bernadette
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Maria Semple |
| Products | Book |
Where'd You Go, Bernadette is a 2012 epistolary comedy novel authored by Maria Semple. The narrative centers on Bernadette Fox, an agoraphobic architect and mother who mysteriously disappears just before a planned family expedition to Antarctica. The story is told through the perspective of her 15-year-old daughter, Bee Branch, using a collection of emails, memos, and transcripts.
Synopsis
Bee Branch resides in Seattle with her father Elgin, a Microsoft computer expert, and her mother Bernadette, who struggles with agoraphobia and manages the home. Bernadette coordinates household affairs remotely with the help of Manjula, an assistant based in India. She experiences ongoing disputes with other mothers at Bee’s private school, particularly with their neighbor Audrey Griffin. Conflicts escalate after Audrey falsely accuses Bernadette of injuring her foot by running it over—a charge Bernadette does not contest—and following the collapse of a hillside cleared by Bernadette that damages Audrey’s residence. When Bee achieves perfect grades, she requests a family trip to Antarctica as a reward.
Following Bernadette’s sudden disappearance, Bee gathers various communications to piece together her mother’s whereabouts. She uncovers that Bernadette was once a renowned architect who received a MacArthur "Genius" Grant for designing the environmentally conscious 20 Mile House in Los Angeles. After selling this property, which was subsequently demolished by an antagonistic buyer, Bernadette lost her creative inspiration and moved to Seattle. She also endured four miscarriages before Bee was born.
Soo-Lin Lee-Segal, a Microsoft administrator and friend of Audrey’s, begins working for Elgin. She informs him about Bernadette’s alleged attacks on Audrey, prompting Elgin to contemplate psychiatric intervention. As Soo-Lin and Elgin develop an emotional affair, the FBI uncovers that "Manjula" is connected to a Russian criminal organization attempting to scam the family. During a police and FBI intervention, Bernadette excuses herself and vanishes again.
Bee is sent ahead to Choate Rosemary Hall following her mother’s disappearance. Soo-Lin admits to Audrey that she is pregnant with Elgin’s child from a one-night stand she regrets; Elgin has purchased a house for them as a family. Upon discovering that Bernadette traveled alone to Antarctica, Elgin and Soo-Lin set out after her, but she disappears once more.
At Choate, Bee receives most of the correspondence presented so far. It becomes clear that Audrey, feeling remorse over contributing to Bernadette’s hospitalization risk, assisted in her escape and sent these documents to Bee in hopes she would understand.
Bee faces expulsion partly due to compiling this collection of documents. She convinces Elgin to accompany her to Antarctica under the guise of seeking closure but suspects Bernadette is there. They find Palmer Station, a U.S. scientific research facility, where they reunite with Bernadette.
Back home, Bee reads a letter from Bernadette explaining that she traveled to Antarctica aiming for family reconciliation and stayed for a cruise. While there, she learned about an architectural project at Palmer Station requiring all supplies shipped from the U.S. Bernadette secretly boarded the station hoping to contribute to this project and requested Bee’s approval through a letter—promising to return if no response was received within an agreed timeframe.
Bestseller rankings
- Featured for one year on the New York Times Bestseller List
- Maintained presence for 72 weeks on NPR's Paperback Fiction Bestseller List
- Appeared for 12 weeks on NPR's Hardcover Fiction Bestseller List
Honors
- Finalist for the 2013 Women's Prize for Fiction
- Recipient of the 2013 Alex Award from the American Library Association
Audiobook edition
- The audiobook, narrated by Kathleen Wilhoite, was issued in 2012 by Hachette Audio.
Movie adaptation
In January 2013, Annapurna Pictures and Color Force secured the film rights. The initial screenplay was penned by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, with Maria Semple and Ted Schipper serving as executive producers. Direction was undertaken by Richard Linklater, who also shared final script credits alongside Holly Gent and Vince Palmo. Cate Blanchett led the cast, supported by Kristen Wiig, Billy Crudup, Laurence Fishburne, Troian Bellisario, and Judy Greer. Filming commenced in July 2017, taking place in Pittsburgh and New Kensington. The film premiered in August 2019.
External links
- Review of Where'd You Go Bernadette by Janet Maslin, New York Times, August 6, 2012
- Annapurna & Color Force Acquire Film Rights to Where'd You Go, Bernadette, Deadline Hollywood, January 8, 2013
- Official website
- Where'd You Go, Bernadette? – Book vs. Movie, abookolive, August 16, 2019