Bad Dreams is a short story collection by Tessa Hadley, which is broadly about the intricacies of daily life. It explores stories involving familial bonds, childhood memories, the passage of time, and the human psyche.
In the first story in the collection, entitled "An Abduction," the narrative captures what appears to be a pivotal day in the life of a young girl named Jane Allsop, who was briefly abducted by a young man. The event leaves an indelible mark on Jane. Instead of feeling traumatized, she's strangely and ironically exhilarated. As an adult, she revisits this memory and unravels how significant the event was in her life.
The next story in the collection, called "Silk Brocade," delves into the lives of Ann Gallagher and her friend Kit. Both are skilled dressmakers, having inherited the craft from Ann's mother. As they navigate their lives, the two realize that some of the things that they had long aspired to do never come to fruition.
In "Flight," a young woman named Clare decides to go home to care for her ailing mother. While there, though, Clare dredges up some uncomfortable memories of her childhood. In one dream in particular, Clare remembers a bird, which is seemingly mundane but provides her a conduit through which she can explore her life and childhood, especially her relationship with her mother.
"The Stain" introduces readers to a young woman who takes on the role of caretaker for an elderly man who lives in seclusion, away from the people who hurt him. At first, their interactions are seemingly straightforward, but as they get to know each other more, they start to have profound realizations about the nature of humanity and human connection. Likewise, they also explore some of the man's memories and deep secrets.
The titular story in the collection, entitled "Bad Dreams," is set in a young girl's dreamscape. In her dream, she stumbles upon a room in her house that doesn't typically exist when she is awake. This shockingly mysterious dream becomes an obsession for the girl and blurs the boundaries between reality and the world of dreams.
Lastly, the final story in the book, entitled "The Gift," unravels the relationship between an older woman named Kitty and her granddaughter, Lottie. Since Lottie's birth, the two had a special connection. The story explores the ebbs and flows of their relationship and how it changes over time (especially as the two of them get older).
