christy_david's review against another edition
4.0
extremely enjoyable - witty writing, great banter… I wish the relationships were better developed and that there as a stronger plot but the writing was just GOOD and fun to read
fatimas_library's review against another edition
2.0
First of all, it took me a long time to finish the book. There is a quote on the cover of my edition that says "By about page ten of this novel, the reader gets a grin on his face, and that grin doesn't really stop for about a week." This cannot be any further from the truth.
I started the book in December 2016, stopped on page 60 because it was too boring for me to finish, and picked it up again in the beginning of August 2017 to try and finish what I started.
I say that it doesn't start to get interesting before at least chapter 11 or 12 (roughly, page 100 or something like that.)
Second, I absolutely didn't like how insecure and sad and (dare I say, made to sound ugly) Harriet was. I don't mind a book showing the flaws of characters as well as their qualities, but I sensed that the author focused only on certain characteristics/flaws/qualities for each of the characters. For example, Harriet was the sad, ugly one. Isabel's description focused only on showing her as an annoying, (most of the time) self-centered woman. Nothing was said about Costas other than to emphasize how rude he is.
It shows, in my opinion, a lack of creativity or maybe effort in showing the characters from more than one point of view. It's lazy and boring.
Overall, it started being mildly entertaining by the time I reached half the book, but I wouldn't read it again nor would I recommend it as a page-turner for a friend.
I started the book in December 2016, stopped on page 60 because it was too boring for me to finish, and picked it up again in the beginning of August 2017 to try and finish what I started.
I say that it doesn't start to get interesting before at least chapter 11 or 12 (roughly, page 100 or something like that.)
Second, I absolutely didn't like how insecure and sad and (dare I say, made to sound ugly) Harriet was. I don't mind a book showing the flaws of characters as well as their qualities, but I sensed that the author focused only on certain characteristics/flaws/qualities for each of the characters. For example, Harriet was the sad, ugly one. Isabel's description focused only on showing her as an annoying, (most of the time) self-centered woman. Nothing was said about Costas other than to emphasize how rude he is.
It shows, in my opinion, a lack of creativity or maybe effort in showing the characters from more than one point of view. It's lazy and boring.
Overall, it started being mildly entertaining by the time I reached half the book, but I wouldn't read it again nor would I recommend it as a page-turner for a friend.
simu's review against another edition
3.0
This book is set in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and it's the kind of book you would want to read for the summer.
anderson65's review against another edition
5.0
Poor title. Good story about Harriett, a wanna-be writer to ghost write a story for Isabel, the mistress of Guy who was murdered in a moment of insanity by his wife, Nan. Harriett lives happily ever after with Pete and owning a bagel shop in MA.
sharonfalduto's review against another edition
Another lonely, out-of-tcuch Lipman heroine, this one hired to ghost write a novel for a bombastic woman who draws her out of her shell.
vmhannley's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book but then I’m a sucker for unusual and quirky reads! Easily sucks you in from the start and keeps you there through the end.
sarahjsnider's review against another edition
2.0
I would have liked this book a lot better if Harriet wasn't such a sad sack. Flawed protagonists are fine, but she was kind of pathetic. I know it took place in the mid-1990s, but stirrup pants? Come on, Harriet. I didn't mind the fact that the plot was predictable (except for the epilogue, which came a bit out of nowhere). It just made Harriet seem that much more dense. Still, it was a quick read on a hot day. I'll probably pass it on to my mom.
jchant's review against another edition
4.0
Elinor Lipman is one of my favorite authors, so I know I must have read this ages ago, but I had almost no memory of the plot. This was a typical Lipman novel, lots of snappy dialog, enjoyable plot and intriguing and relatable characters. Highly recommended.
Grace Conlin was the narrator, and has a perfect voice for this book.
Grace Conlin was the narrator, and has a perfect voice for this book.
cathy1969's review against another edition
4.0
Isabel's Bed was entertaining and smart from the beginning. Lipman has a way of pulling you in to read her story keeping the character's and their interactions interesting. Although we start out meeting Harriet who seems rather boring, she takes a leap of faith embarking on a new adventure after her boyfriend of 12 years decides they are not for each other.
Harriet has worked jobs as a secretary and helping with her boyfriend's bagel shop as she works on her aspirations of being an author. When her world takes a downward turn, she decides to take a job as a ghost writer in exchange for room & board in a new city. It turns out that Isabel Krug is the topic of much controversy for being the mistress of high profile business man whose wife murders him for having the affair. Harriet will be listening to her story and helping her to write a tell-all sesational book.
The two quickly become friends and Harriet even realizes she may not be the wall flower she once thought she was and finds her niche in the world. The book is light, fun and a little soap opera-like, but it was the perfect beach read for me this week and I really enjoyed it!
Harriet has worked jobs as a secretary and helping with her boyfriend's bagel shop as she works on her aspirations of being an author. When her world takes a downward turn, she decides to take a job as a ghost writer in exchange for room & board in a new city. It turns out that Isabel Krug is the topic of much controversy for being the mistress of high profile business man whose wife murders him for having the affair. Harriet will be listening to her story and helping her to write a tell-all sesational book.
The two quickly become friends and Harriet even realizes she may not be the wall flower she once thought she was and finds her niche in the world. The book is light, fun and a little soap opera-like, but it was the perfect beach read for me this week and I really enjoyed it!
giovannnaz's review against another edition
3.0
Lipman's books look as if they must be 'guilty pleasure' books, but I swear they're good--Lipman has a singular voice and dry sense of humor. They're in a class of books that is hard to come by--maybe not 'literary fiction' but fun: well-written keen studies of people. Though I and others might argue that they are 'literary fiction'! If only the covers didn't scream 'chick lit'...