Bad Dreams by Tessa Hadley: Home

British-based, contemporary author Tessa Hadley appeared on The New York Times Notable Book of the Year list for her short story collection Bad Dreams and Other Stories. Hadley’s short stories are praised for their ability to illuminate ordinary life. This collection captures characters as they face a crucial moment of transition, highlighting ordinary acts and events, elevating them into the extraordinary. The real things that happen to her characters are often as mysterious as their dreams. Hadley explores the large consequences of small actions through mostly female protagonists in the 20th and 21st centuries, capturing their inner thoughts as they face a turning point in their lives, often without realising it.
Hadley’s collection interrogates the lives of characters both young and old. Themes of identity, transformation, social self-awareness, the power of knowledge and the consequences of everyday actions are explored through Hadley’s distinct voice. Hadley’s writing is easily accessible and clear-sighted as she beautifully captures both the predictable and unpredictable nature of people. Students will find her writing offers a great deal of discussion on topics faced in the 21st century.