Publisher Description

The dazzling new collection of stories from the prize-winning author of The Past and The London Train.The dazzling collection of stories from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Free Love and Late in the Day.**WINNER OF THE EDGE HILL SHORT STORY PRIZE**Two sisters quarrel over an inheritance and a new baby. A housekeeper caring for a helpless old man uncovers secrets from his past. A young girl accepts a lift in a car with a group of strangers. An old friend brings bad news to a dinner party.In these gripping and unsettling stories, the ordinary is made extraordinary and the real things that happen to people turn out to be every bit as mysterious as their dreams.'These well-turned, exceptionally nuanced pieces are solidly evocative of place, period...and sensory detail' Sunday Times'Few writers give me such consistent pleasure' Zadie Smith

Notes

From the prize-winning author of The Past and The London Train, comes a new collection of stories. 'Few writers give me such consistent pleasure' Zadie Smith

Review

Few writers give me such consistent pleasure. * Zadie Smith *
Tessa Hadley has become one of this country's great contemporary novelists ... possessed of a psychological subtlety reminiscent of Henry James, and an ironic beadiness worthy of Jane Austen * Guardian *
One of Britain's finest writers… Hadley's clear-sighted observations about people's foibles and her ability to whip up an atmosphere with only a tent pole and a pair of furry handcuffs is something to behold. * The Times *
Hadley is a writer whose reputation grows with every book… This new collection of short stories reconfirms her remarkable talent… Hadley excels at both genres, brilliant at conveying emotion and with an uncanny ability to get under her character's skin… These stories brim with a keen intelligence and linger in the mind long after you close the book. -- Sebastian Shakespeare * Tatler *
[It is] lapidary, full of the most gorgeous sentences and brilliant observations. -- Alex Preston * Observer, 2017 Books of the Year *
Hadley's quiet rise to become one of Britain's best writers is further confirmed by her new collection, Bad Dreams and Other Stories… These well-turned, exceptionally nuanced pieces are solidly evocative of place, period…and sensory detail. -- Phil Baker * Sunday Times *
Compassionate and luminous, Hadley sees… us all: our travails, our fantasies and our small joys. -- Claire Messud * Financial Times *
Tessa Hadley's short stories, Bad Dreams, are simple and artful and leave you wanting more. -- Hilary Mantel
It is exquisite, haunting… This is writing of great nuance and psychological acuity… It combines acerbic social observation and wry humour with moments of breathtaking delicacy and tenderness. -- KJ Orr * Guardian *
The ordinary becomes extraordinary in these masterly short stories by one of the most brilliant and under-read writers of our time. * Mail on Sunday, 2017 Books of the Year *

Prizes

Short-listed for The Edge Hill Short Story Prize 2018 (UK)

Review Text

Few writers give me such consistent pleasure .

Review Quote

Few writers give me such consistent pleasure .

Promotional "Headline"

The dazzling new collection of stories from the prize-winning author of The Past and The London Train.

Details