

#7990
Mentioned in 7 episodes
Where'd You Go, Bernadette
Book • 2012
The book follows the story of Bernadette Fox, a former renowned architect and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, who has become a recluse and suffers from severe agoraphobia.
When her daughter Bee earns perfect grades, she claims her reward: a family trip to Antarctica.
However, Bernadette's aversion to people and her increasing mental breakdown lead to her disappearance.
Bee compiles a series of emails, documents, and secret correspondences to find her mother, revealing a complex web of family dynamics, social satire, and personal struggles.
The novel pokes fun at Seattle's elite culture, private school parents, and the tech world, while exploring themes of creativity, mental health, and the bond between a mother and daughter.
When her daughter Bee earns perfect grades, she claims her reward: a family trip to Antarctica.
However, Bernadette's aversion to people and her increasing mental breakdown lead to her disappearance.
Bee compiles a series of emails, documents, and secret correspondences to find her mother, revealing a complex web of family dynamics, social satire, and personal struggles.
The novel pokes fun at Seattle's elite culture, private school parents, and the tech world, while exploring themes of creativity, mental health, and the bond between a mother and daughter.
Mentioned by

















Mentioned in 7 episodes
Mentioned by 

while introducing 

and noting one of her best-known earlier novels.


Ryan Holiday


Maria Semple

208 snips
The 5-Step Stoic Routine for Clear Thinking | Maria Semple
Mentioned by 

and 

as her best-known earlier novel and Dan's gateway into her work.


Dan Harris


Maria Semple

204 snips
Trudging Through Your Own Life? Here's the Stoic Fix | Maria Semple
Mentioned by 

as the book written by Maria Semple, who has been encouraging him to attend theater performances.


Dan Harris

110 snips
How To Stay Open and Curious Even When You're Exhausted or Annoyed | Sarah Ruhl
Mentioned by 

as a film that includes the line, "I've got to inhabit a space before I know what it wants to be."


Sam Fragoso

16 snips
‘Before’ Director Richard Linklater
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a hilarious and enjoyable book about a woman who vanishes.

Kirk Hamilton

14 snips
What's The Deal With: Dragon Quest
Mentioned by 

as a book written by his TED friend, Maria Semple, highlighting the concept of "learning to love your likes."


Dan Harris

Zach Braff On: Anxiety, Sobriety, Insomnia, Grief, Social Media, and the Meaning of the Tattoo on His Wrist
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a paperback copy she had packed for years to take on vacation until she finally read it.

Candice Brown-Murray

Ep 493: Books that take you on an epic journey
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as Maria Semple's most famous book, but it is too old.

Emilie Sommer

November Bonus Episode
Mentioned by 

when listing the author's previous bestselling novels and noting its film adaptation.


Oprah Winfrey

Maria Semple: “Go Gentle” | Oprah’s Book Club
Mentioned by 

as an example of creative repression leading to negative consequences.


Rich Roll

Chase Jarvis: Creativity Is Our Birthright



