Isabel's Bed: Isabel's Bed

ISABEL'S BED by Elinor Lipman October 10, 2004 Two women bond and become unlikely friends in ISABEL'S BED, my introduction to the writing of Elinor Lipman. This book has made me a fan for life, and although I've been told most of her books are as good as this one, I can imagine that a "bad" book by Lipman will still be a passable read. Harriet Mahoney finds herself going nowhere in the world of writing. Her dream is to have a book published, and she is currently writing a novel based on her parents' life. She belongs to a writing group, where she does not feel she totally belongs, and she is in a long-term relationship with a man that only cares about his bagel business. Harriet soon finds herself without a boyfriend and without a place to stay. She and Kenny had been together for twelve years, when he tells her he's met someone else, the love of his life and they are now engaged to be married. Out of the blue, she gets an offer to ghost write a story by an infamous adulteress, Isabel Krug, and Harriet finds herself moving into a mansion in a New England town called Truro. The neighbors despise the mansion for being "more Malibu than Cape Cod". But Harriet loves her new home, and is now on her way to getting to know her new employer, who was in bed with her married lover when his wife shot him to death. Isabel Krug is a woman of mystery. What's not mysterious about her is her need for attention and drama in her life. It is evident in her choice of men (two of whom were married at the time she got involved with them) and her desire to write a book about the murder that made her famous. Harriet suspects that she was hired not just to write this story for Isabel, but to be a companion to this woman, who lives alone with her handy-man Pete, and a man Harriet later finds out is her husband, Costas. Isabel needs Harriet just as much as Harriet needs Isabel. As Harriet learns more about the murder of Guy Van Fleet, the more she learns about Isabel and her wild and crazy past. Lipman has a knack for writing witty and intelligent passages and I found myself laughing throughout the book. Lipman also does a wonderful job building up the character of Isabel Krug, who was larger than life but yet written in quite a believable fashion. What I loved most of all was the friendship that developed between Harriet, the very insecure writer with low self-esteem, and Isabel, who was beautiful and glamorous and belonged with the rich and famous. Lipman paints Isabel as a woman in need of attention, but someone who is compassionate and understanding, too. Harriet grows with the help of Isabel, as she slowly gains confidence in herself and finds out truly what makes her happy, and it isn't her "passion" for writing. ISABEL'S BED is highly recommended by this reader!

The blurbs on the cover of this book really put me off at first - someone on the front cover saying that 'by about page ten the reader has a grin on his face' and on the back something about her being the new Jane Austen - etc etc. While being none of those things to me though, I found a lot else in it which grew on me as the book progressed, and surprising to myself I found that I couldn't put it down - and reading to the finish I found it a fun, and infinitely satisfying read.The heroine of the novel is Harriet Mahoney - 42, failed in a long term relationship, aspiring novellist and looking for a way to escape New York and her ex-partner for a while - wound-licking stuff. She applies for a position ghost-writing Isabel Krug's life story - the fact that she has no idea just who Isabel is, or how notorious her story is, is the subject of the book. Harriet goes to live with her at Cape Cod and in fact it is the growing relationship between these two women which was for me, the most interesting part of the book. As we learn more about Harriet we also have more of Isabel revealed. Its all done in context of the novel and some of it is quite startling. One thing I'll say for Elinor Lipman is she really knows how to tell a story without over-killing points - but she is also wonderful at providing great twists to the story at various points.It really is an 'engaging' read, but it might take you more than 10 pages to get into. I certainly didn't find I was grinning for a week - but I found it a great read and I think itsworth perservering with if you aren't immediately grabbed by it.

What a wonderful novel! This book had everything - romance, intrigue, friendship and revenge. Such a great combination. I really did love this book, a second for me by Elinor Lipman, and much better than the semi-drivel that was The Inn at Lake Devine. One thing bothered me about Isabel's Bed - the absence of you-know-who by the end of the book. The Itzy-Hare-Pete-Costas combination should have ended with a collective bang! Needless to state, I highly recommend this book! It's a light and fast read, packed with humour and realism.

This is the 3rd Elinor Lipman book that I have read. She is the author that I am recommending to my friends. The characters in Isabel's Bed are well written and enjoyable people. The story moves along quickly and kept me entertained throughout. I give this book high marks.

This book was great reading for not only relaxing on the beach but for more serious readers as well. The quirks and foibles of the group of characters living at Isabel's house on the beach should appeal to many readers. Isabel, Harriet, Costas, Pete and even Kenny were so real - the reader almost feels she/he knows them personally. It was hard to say goodbye at the end of the book. I will be looking for other Lipman books ASAP.