Book Review: Bad Dreams And Other Stories by Tessa Hadley

This book is a delightful introduction to the writing of Tessa Hadley.

The absorbing nature of Hadley’s novels is demonstrated in these short stories, through her ability to capture the intricate details of domestic life and make them interesting.

The collection tackles a range of topics; through coming-of-age, to the challenges of getting old.

In ‘Experience’, the failure of a relationship becomes the opportunity for a young woman to realise her ability to change her future by broadening her options. The path she follows may not endear her to the reader, but it’s gripping.

In ‘Bad Dreams’, the bedroom is described so richly you can almost touch the furniture and feel the fabrics.

Hadley’s writing is direct and easy to read. The sense of nostalgia she creates and the wonderfully descriptive storytelling compelled me to finish each story.