Bad Dreams is a compilation of short stories about some of the defining moments in someone's life. Collectively, Bad Dreams explores the nature of memory, self-discovery, and the journey that everyone must take from childhood to adulthood.
The first story in the collection, which takes its name from the title of the collection itself, tells the story of a child who wakes up from a recurring nightmare and finds herself in a room that initially looks very familiar to her. However, she slowly realizes that things aren't as they appear and that her memory has failed her. And over time, she starts to question reality itself.
The next short story in the collection is called "An Abduction." It tells the story of a teenager named Jane Allsop, who has a short fling with an older boy. Together, the two go on an adventure that is both thrilling and disconcerting to them both. Eventually, the story follows Jane in her older years as she reevaluates their fling from an older, more mature perspective.
Next, "Silk Brocade" follows Ann Gallagher and her friend Kit, two dressmakers who dream of a better life for both of them. Together, the two create a dress from an exquisite silk brocade as they reminisce about their lives and friendship.
One of the most striking aspects of the collection is author Tessa Hadley's use of rich, vivid imagery. At first glance, readers may overlook these details; however, they are a crucial part of each story. This kind of language grounds readers and gives depth to the environments the characters inhabit. For example, Hadley's description of the silk brocade doesn't only explore the fabric's tactile nature; it's an invitation into Ann and Kit's world, their aspirations, and their realities. It's an invitation into their personalities.
Each story also leans into the mundanity of domestic life, something which very few authors typically do. That is because, within the small, seemingly inconsequential moments—a glance between friends, a child's misremembered story, how a dress is made—she gleans profound insights about the human condition. This narrative technique underscores the idea that often, the quietest parts of life hold the most meaning for human beings.
