Where’d You Go, Bernadette?
Have you read this book by Maria Semple?
I read it.
I enjoyed it.
I loved the way the story is told using correspondence.
I love that the daughter compiled all this correspondence to understand her mother’s story.
My two favorite lines from the book are:
“People like you must create. If you don’t create, Bernadette, you will become a menace to society.”
and
“That’s right, you are bored. And I’m going to let you in on a little secret about life. You think it’s boring now? Well, it only gets more boring. The sooner you learn it’s on you to make life interesting, the better off you’ll be.”
I can relate to Bernadette.
I have shut myself off and stayed cooped up in my house and been the worse off for it.
It seems to me that we need to be aware of the fact that we know only the teeniest portion of any one else’s life. We view and judge everything from our own perspective without stopping to consider there is more to the story.
I took myself to the movies Monday afternoon to see how the film compared to the book.
Yes, there were changes. But I didn’t miss anything that was omitted, and each small change made sense as it drove the plot in a necessary and believable way.
Oftentimes, film adaptations leave me wanting, but I quite liked this one.
I left the theater with a warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart.
Have you read this book?
Did you see the movie?
Please share your thoughts.
therobynbirdsnest 
Loved the book. Was one of my favorite books from the year I read it. I could totally relate to the character. But I didn’t feel the same when I watched the movie, which I thought was fine, but I don’t know, missed something. Did watch Brady though….love…..
Interesting. Now I’m curious…
I loved seeing Bee fleshed out more. Being in the story instead of telling it.
SO pleased you enjoyed the Bradys! Nostalgia dial all the way up, am I right?
That’s exactly it. It was Bees story to tell. I didn’t like how the mystery was just solved. I loved how bee got into the mind of her mother. I realize they got CAut Blanchett, but it eliminated the heart of the story……and omg the living room! How they recreated all that! Amazing!
That house! You’re right, it was perfect!
I’m inclined to agree, the unraveling of the clues was more powerful in the book. However, I think that part of the story was too clunky to be filmed successfully, and Bee did figure it out, so I’m kind of cool with it.
I love how Richard Linklater’s movies focused on relationships, one of my favorite movies is his Dazed and Confused for that very reason. And this story is all about Bernadette’s relationships.
One change I didn’t like was Audrey didn’t proactively help Bernadette. That was more powerful in the book.
Yes. Totally agree on Audrey. It filmed weird
LA, have you seen this?
I haven’t read or seen the movie, but thank you for the recommendation. And for the fantastic quotes x
I’ll be interested to know what you think once you’ve read/seen it.
Those quotes are everything, right?
Yes they’re fantastic… love a quote that really hits you
Yes ma’am! ❤
Ooo I’ve just Googled this and it sounds like an interesting one I’d quite like. I must admit I hadn’t heard of the book or film adaptation before your post, so thank you! I’m glad you got to the cinema to check it out & left with that warm fuzzy feeling, which I think can be a rare thing these days but the sign of a good film! 🙂
Caz xx
I hope you enjoy reading and watching too, Caz! ❤