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 *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 MantelIt 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 *Hadley has an anthropological gift; she notices the small, regular gestures and responses of the everyday, and demonstrates their enormous impact on our perception of the world, and thus, every relationship we have. -- Jane Graham and Doug Johnstone * Big Issue *The absorbing nature of Hadley's novels is demonstrated... through her ability to capture the intricate details of domestic life and make them interesting... The sense of nostalgia she creates and the wonderfully descriptive storytelling compel you to finish each story. * UK Press Syndication *This is a delightful introduction to the absorbing writing of Tessa Hadley and her ability to make domestic life interesting. -- Linda Wright * i *Full of... subtle, wise, finely grained observations. -- Claire Lowdon * Literary Review *It is the quiet, reflective moments that make Tessa Hadley's stories so poignant and insightful... there is a psychological heft to her observations. -- Eithne Farry * Sunday Express *Hadley's writing is direct and a pleasure to read, and she has an uncanny ability to capture the intricate details of everyday life. -- Kate Whiting * The Scotsman *