“Here’s something about Mom: she’s bad with annoyances, but great in a crisis. If a waiter doesn’t refill her water after she’s asked three times, or she forgets her dark glasses when the sun comes out, look out! But when it comes to something truly bad happening, Mom plugs into this supreme calm.”
The unique way this novel is compiled together with emails and documents is what got me. It is also what keeps the pace of the story moving quickly. This book will remind readers of Gone Girl, but once you start, those thoughts would well, be gone. All the characters even the minor ones, were so well portrayed that I was fascinated by each one of them. Bernadette’s temperament had me curious with every page I turned. Semple writes a story about an immensely remarkable family. It all starts with a trip to Antarctica, which her parents assure 15-year-old Bee, would take place. But one day before they have to leave, her mother disappears. No trail left. Just gone.
Bernadette Fox is a creative genius that has lost her way somewhere down the road. Her successful career as an architect was booming. She won a prestigious award, but that bliss soon shattered when that award winning structure is demolished over night.
She is now trying to start fresh in a new city with a husband who loves her for all she is. But she is finding it hard to let go of the past. Suffering from anxiety and agoraphobia. Bernadette has lost touch with the world to the extent of having a personal assistant online from India doing all her necessary errands. Mothers at Bee’s school think she could be precarious. Having started a small feud with one of them didn’t help her case. But to Bee, her mother is her best friend. For Bee nothing seems different. Being patient with her mother’s little quirks and dreads, she was adamant that her mom would make this trip.
As Bee starts the search for her mother, she gathers up emails, faxes and documents any communication she could find that could put the pieces together. She was certain her mom would not just take off without a word or reason. Bernadette’s disappearance was not easy on her husband either. His relationship with Bee was shifting ground as well. Following her instincts purely, Bee sets out on a trip to find her best friend. As much as everyone is certain of Bernadette not returning, their strong bond is what drives Bee to keep going.
This story stands on the base of its well-described quirky and warm characters. While the book had its ups and downs, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and searching for Bernadette along with Bee. Its a quick light read you wouldn’t want to put down that easily. Given the way the story was narrated in its innovative and original style, it was surely a breath of fresh air.