Good in Bed

Customer Reviews

Mis-titled, mis-labeled, but excellent, nonetheless --

Having just read about this book as being about larger-sized ladies in a skinny world, I got past the title and requested the book from my library. I had no idea what to expect from it, but once I got over the initial confusion over the above mis-es, I really enjoyed it.

It has nothing to do, really, with being good (or bad) in bed, although there are a few brief scenes that take place in one. It's called a novel, but I quibble with that description, too, as it is really a series of five novellas, but with continued characters throughout, as well as interwoven plot lines. Each of the five sections could stand alone, however, and they have the feeling that they may have been written at different times.

Candace (Cannie) Shapiro is a large lady, in many ways: intellect and a well-disguised warmth, as well as the physical, which is quite possibly a description of the author as well. Ms. Weiner has to be (or have been) a large lady herself to have so accurately described the feelings and heartbreak that accompany such women in their everyday lives. A child of divorce, she is the heavyweight in her family, as her two siblings are thin nearly to the point of emaciation. Her father, a surgeon, takes turns at loving and ignoring his former wife and their children. And then, her mother realizes she is a lesbian and brings her lover Tanya to the family home. And, into Cannie's former bedroom.

But Cannie perseveres, and after graduation from Princeton, and a stint in the boonies on a small-town newspaper, she lands a good job on a Philadelphia newspaper. Her dream is to be a 'real' writer, and to that end, she struggles with her filmscript, re-writing, ever polishing, just in case. The constant snipes and slights are everywhere, and come at one from every direction, always. As if larger ladies might be that way by choice! Duh.

Part One - Good in Bed sets the scene for the story of Cannie and Bruce, who have been together for three years, but parted recently at her suggestion. He lands a column in a major women's magazine, under the strange title of "Good in Bed" and in his first effort, he admits his dismay at having loved a larger woman. (My comment-Oh, get over it, already!) The dialogue here is fresh and sharp and witty as Cannie agonizes over having her life spread all over the world thanks to the magazine, amid the commiserations of friends and family. Her father's abandonment colors every move she makes, even the decision to enroll in the Weight and Eating Disorders class. "If I get thin again, Daddy, will you love me?" Trust me, if you've ever lived through this kind of experience, you'll need to keep the tissues close by.

Part Two - Reconsider Me begins with the funeral of Bruce's dad, whom Cannie adored, and the feeling appeared to be mutual. He was perhaps the only adult male who did accept and love Cannie for what she was, not what she wasn't. In her indecision about the relationship with Bruce, she offers him comfort in the only way she knows how, in bed. Shortly after that, a good thing happens, when, in spite of the barriers set up to prevent such a thing from happening, Cannie makes the acquaintance of a major young female film star, Maxi Ryder, and the two of them have a night on the town, further cementing their bond. Before Maxi leaves again for the coast, however, Cannie slips her script into Maxi's tote bag.

Part Three - I Go Swimming is a major indulgence as Cannie metaphorically gets lost in her past and her future, and the symbolism of the water, throughout. From the womb, maybe? Because the repercussions of her last night with Bruce will change her life forever. Cannie is pregnant. She returns to her Mother, and makes peace with Tanya, but must forgo the Weight Loss class on which she's embarked. This means also, perhaps, not being able to see the charming and enigmatic Dr. K, who's in charge of the program. The letter she's finally been able to write to Bruce goes unanswered, but Maxi comes to the rescue.

Part Four - Suzie Lightning (from a pop song) seems appropriate as Cannie enters the world of show biz. Maxi has not only read her filmscript, but loves it, and takes it to her agent, who also loves it, and proves it by baffling the suits into buying the script and giving Maxi and Cannie more than the usual production approval clauses. Maxi has brought Cannie to Hollywood, and the two of them have further adventures until the day when Maxi goes off to the plastic surgeon for a minor repair, and Cannie discovers the whereabouts of her long-lost father. Who still does not want to be found, either.

Part Five - Joy. This is the hard part. In spite of everything, the pregnancy has proceeded well, until Cannie returns to Philadelphia and disaster strikes. The baby comes early and other medical complications ensue, thrusting Cannie into the veriest depths of depression. She resists all efforts to get her unstuck, longing only for her daughter, whom she's named Joy. Finally, finally, Cannie comes to realize that she can't do it all herself, she needs the help and love and friendship of those who are willing to offer it. And appearances can be mighty deceiving. Finally, Cannie finds love and happiness and success as a woman, as a writer and a mother. Accepting herself as she is plays a huge part in this process.

Acceptance of oneself is not easy, but it can be done, and pages 363-366 (in the hard-cover version) should be required reading material for everyone larger than a size six.

Droll, Intelligent and Poignant!

I had some reservations when I picked up this book. Like most people, I thought it was a Bridget Jones-esque novel written by a Helen Fielding wannabe. Was I wrong! This is one of the funniest books I have ever read! Before you ask, yes, it is a book about a single woman with a weight problem finding true love. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Having read Bridget Jones's Diary and Jemima J., I thought it'd be another copycat. Weiner does an excellent job describing her overweight heroine. It gives, in my opinion, a more realistic view of how it's like to be big. I was able to have a better understanding of how large women think and feel without the petty prejudice that it's placed upon them. Also, the Philadelphia-based Cannie is far wittier than Bridget Jones! Her dry and sarcastic humor made me laugh out lound on various occasions. Cannie sort of reminds me of two contemporary heroines I like: Anna Graham from Amanda Filipacchi's Vapor and Tash from Jane Green's Straight Talking. Thinking of getting a droll and moving novel? Do not hesitate! Read Good In Bed. You will laugh your socks off!

What a surprise!

I loved it! I DID NOT want to read this book, but a friend of mine insisted. I am so glad she did, because it was a really great book.