Isabel's Bed

by Elinor Lipman

Ghostwriting the memoirs of scandalous blonde Isabel Krug, recently jilted Harriet Mahoney learns about her subject's tangled history and finds that Isabel is helping her to re-create herself.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Humor, Romance, Contemporary, Novels, Adult

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

I love talking with readers - for 1:1s and Book Club visits, find me on Skolay: www.skolay.com/writers/elinor-lipman

Elinor Lipman is the author of 14 humorous novels about contemporary American society; essay and short story collections. Born and raised in Lowell, MA, she divides her time between Manhattan and the Hudson Valley of New York. She received the New England Book award for fiction in 2001. Her first novel, "Then She Found Me," was adapted for the screen, starring Helen Hunt, Bette Midler, Colin Firth and Matthew Broderick. Her fourth novel, "The Inn at Lake Devine" was adapted for the off-off Broadway stage by Tongue in Cheek Theater. In 2011-2012, she held the Elizabeth Drew chair in creative writing at Smith College. Her novel, “Ms. Demeanor," was a finalist for the 2023 Thurber Prize for American Humor. In 2021, her hometown Library, Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell, established The Elinor Lipman Prize, awarded annually to Lowell residents and students at Lowell universities.

Reviews

[Mike Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Isabel's Bed" is a gentle, amusing, character-driven read, filled with kindness and comedy that lifted my spirits. It deals honestly but sympathetically with story of Harriet Mahone, a wannabe writer running for cover from a recently failed twelve year relationship with a man she now sees has always been a jerk.

Although the story is told from Harriet's point of view, she is one of the most ordinary and most passive characters in a novel which is dominated by colourful, larger than life people. Yet Harriet does not fade into the background or become just a cypher for observing more interesting people. In a way, the whole book is about her building a more solid understanding of herself and acting upon it.

Harriet takes refuge with Isabel, a woman who's notoriety Harriet is unaware of when she agrees to ghost write her autobiography in exchange for living in Isabel's house for a year.

Isabel is funny and smart and totally overwhelming. The dialogue in the scenes she's in sparkles. I found her extraordinary and yet completely convincing. She is a woman who takes charge of her life and lives by her own rules. She is Harriet's opposite and so finds Harriet novel and intriguing. The friendship that builds between the two woman is drawn with a light touch that gives it credibility and emotional value.

Hattie has a a low simmer, never quite getting to the boil, relationship with Isabel's handy-man/driver which manages to avoid rom-com clichés and serves mostly to help Harriet understand what had been missing in her previous twelve-year-too-long relationship.

I enjoyed the sideways glance into writers and writing that the novel provides. Harriet writes to escape from her life. Being a writer is a transformational fantasy for her. We see that it is not the writing itself that motivates Harriet but the opportunity to been seen as a writer in her local writers' group which sustains her dream by listening with attention and providing encouraging feedback.

Harriet is competent rather than talented at writing. Her first draft of the autobiography is so bland and dull and so NOT Isabel, the Isabel has a go at re-writing the piece "to make it sound more like me". Isabel is a natural raconteur and produces an opening to the the autobiography that is witty, energetic and gives a strong sense of her personality. The contrast between the two pieces is the start of Harriet coming to understand that writing might not be her route to personal fulfillment

The ending of the novel made me smile. It was unexpected yet realistic. One of those things that makes everything click into place so that you say, "that's so true and obvious. How did I not see that coming?"

[Gale Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book second-hand at The Book Mill in Massachusetts and thoroughly enjoyed it. Fresh premise, wonderful execution. Ms. Lipman is a really a stunning writer--first-rate. As a writer, I'm learning a great deal from her. The story was unpredictably funny and quirky. Nothing ends the way you think it will, and yet, it was all wrapped in a very affirming way.

Lipman creates real people who are funny and flawed. Did it change my life, no? Are there innumerable lessons in it for people who write women's fiction? Yes.

[Antof9 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quote from Julia Glass (Chicago Tribune) from the back of the book: "If Jane Austen had been born about two centuries later, gone to Smith, then palled around with Fran Lebowitz, chances are she'd have written like Elinor Lipman. She is one of the last urbane romantics. As always, Lipman makes us laugh out loud."

well. . . . . she's no Jane Austen, I'll say that! This was mildly entertaining, but not quite the amazing book I expected after the back cover.

To start with, I found what the title *should* have been on page 368: "Don't call me, don't write me, don't FedEx me bagels." This would have made me like the book so much more :)

Isabel's character was totally and completely annoying. And there is nothing magical about her bed. I'm sad that Harriet is the author (it's from her perspective), but she is subordinated throughout the book. Isabel is spoiled, annoying, self-centered, and a "one-hit wonder". She should have been more of an ancillary character. Harriet, like so many of the key characters in chick lit is all about the angst, is unhappy with herself, her hair, her makeup (or lack thereof), etc. In the end, of course, she finds a perfectly wonderful man, and isn't the man-repeller she thinks she is.

To this day I don't understand the Costas character. Maybe the next reader of this book will, and can explain him to me! He was the "appendix" of this book. . .

This is a good, light read, and was great for me while sitting on our back deck on a lovely sunny day.

[Robin Wright Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Elinor Lipman's novels. Her writing is light but always makes me laugh, makes me stay up way too late when I should have turned off the light, makes me "see" the characters by revealing one or two key traits or habits, and reveals their vulnerabilities.

If you are looking for War and Peace this aint it. If you are looking for smart fresh down to earth writing that is still mostly for entertainment, here you go.

Sort of a book version of the smarter date movies--e.g. Four Weddings and a Funeral, etc.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

March 2025: This time I read the physical book, and it was just as enjoyable.

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.

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how I felt about the protagonist initially but she grew on me, and overall I really enjoyed the book. Lippman created very authentic characters and was particularly successful at delving into the heart and mind of a recently scorned lover.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in the early stages of reading those Elinor Lipman novels that I may have irresponsibly missed along the way. I wasn't sure how I was doing with this one in the early pages, but in the end, I was more than satisfied. Her characters maintain a sense of self,honesty and integrity that made me want to cheer for them as they figured out their lives and sorted through some complicated pieces. Her writing is crisp, as always; her insights into the human spirit, funny yet respectful.

[Mona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elinor Lipman’s books read like plays. I love the witty and smart dialogue. I’m such a fan. I’ve said this before but her writing reminds me of Woody Allen. This was another good one.

[Fatima · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving has forced me to pick up books that have been on my shelves for years. According to the inside cover this book has been in my possession since May of 2005. I had so much fun with it I picked up two more by Elinor Lipman this weekend. Her characters are well drawn and I think the Austen comparisons are well earned. Do yourself a favor and soak up the last rays of summer with Isabel and her friends.

[Inez Costanzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved every book I have read by Elinor Litman until now. This book pulled me in at the beginning but left me cold by the end. I didn’t think the relationship between Isabel and Costas made any sense to begin with and fell flat by the end. Finally, it was difficult to believe that Harriette would be happy with her final career move.
I was very disappointed in the book.

[L Y N N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read most of Lipman's books, this is one of my least favorite ones.

The overall theme(s) seemed fairly absurd and/or distasteful to me. Definitely enjoyed the first half more than the last half or third.

[Christy David · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Miranda mcdonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Heidi Hilty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this gem from 1995 on my mom’s bookshelf and it is a lovely story. Harriet Mahoney is in a dead end twelve-year relationship and then Kenny abruptly leaves her and marries another woman in three months. So Harriet leaves her law office job and moves to Truro to pursue her own writing and becomes a ghost writer for Isabel. Sometimes life takes unexpected turns and you need to follow a different path!

[Nayonika Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not understand the point of this book. The three stars are for the intitial 50% which showed promise. The book had so much potential. With the plot and the characters, it would have been a thriller or a good romance. But everything was wasted. What was even that ending?

[Ladyslott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harriet Mahoney is an aspiring writer with a boyfriend of 12 years and is a member of a writing group where she feels like an outsider. Forty one and lacking self esteem Harriet’s life is in a rut. Harriet soon finds her boyfriend has met someone else and wants to get married ASAP, so Harriet needs to find a place to live and fast. Responding to an ad in New York review of books she takes a job as a ghost writer for Isabel Krug and moves to Cape Cod.

Isabel Krug is quite a character. She was in bed with her lover when his wife came in and shot him to death. Nan VanVleet is found not guilty by reason of insanity and goes to a psychiatric hospital instead of jail. Isabel moves on with her life and moves to a mansion in Cape Cod to escape her notoriety. She has now decided she wants to tell her side of the story and that is where Harriet comes in. Isabel seems to love drama and mystery and lives in her avant garde home with her handy man and a mysterious man named Costas.

As Harriet begins to gather the notes and tapes Isabel has furnished about the night of the tragedy the more she learns about Isabel and the closer friends they become. It is apparent that these two women need each other’s friendship. Together they become better people with the help of each others insights.

Lipman is the master of witty conversation and writes truly believable characters that you really care about, flaws and all. Isabel could have been a caricature but comes across as a believable person and Harriet’s growth and learning what her true passion is was very convincing. The twist in the story towards the end was inventive and realistic. This was a charming book that made me smile, and even though you know some of what will happen almost from the start it is still fun getting to the final page.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

When aspiring author Harriet Mahoney signs on to write the memoirs of Isabel Krug, whose lover was shot by his wife while they were in flagrante delicto, she's ready for a change, and that's exactly what she gets. Isabel has fled to Cape Cod to escape notoriety, and leads an unconventional life in an unconventional house, with her husband Kostas, a disgraced artist. After a few days, Isabel and Harriet warm to each other, becoming friends as well as collaborators.

What I liked:

A la the Seinfeld television series, IB is essentially a novel about not very much. The central theme is the relationship between two women, one excessively conventional and the other excessively quirky. Not much writing is going on, but learning takes place on a consistent basis. It is pleasant to watch their friendship develop.

There are four main characters, and I liked Harriet, Isabel, and Pete (the handyman who is the only person on the scene with a grounded sense of reality.)

The setting.

The occasional surprises.

What I disliked:

The character of Kostas, who is extremely narcissistic and just plain obnoxious.

The ending, which seemed rushed and "tacked on."

I listened to the audio version of this novel, and it's doubtful whether I'd have finished it if reading it in print.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isabel’s Bed started out with a bang. I enjoyed Isabel’s eccentric character and descriptions of her dream home on Cape Cod. I liked the protagonist, an out-of-luck aspiring writer, who Isabel hires to ghostwrite her autobiography. And what a story, Isabel being the only witness to a murder of a man, with whom she was buck naked in bed, when his wife came home and fired one shot. Just as Isabel advertised for a ghostwriter, unpublished writer Harriet was being jilted from her longtime lover/employer in NYC: homeless, unemployed, and ready for something different. And she gets the gig! Great mix so far.

The unfolding of how Isabel happened to own a luxury coastal home, the identity of her dead lover, and the variety of characters who, unbeknownst to Harriet, share the Isabel’s home were intriguing and humorous elements. The descriptions of Cape Cod were accurate and evocative.

It seemed like both women could benefit and achieve their mutual goal of telling Isabel’s story. Then the story started going south. Too many other characters got involved: the murdering wife, the protagonist’s NYC friend from her writers’ group. The conclusion was unsatisfying, as Harriet’s lot was a letdown and Isabel’s contradicted the major theme of the women helping each other.

Still a worthwhile beach read for the characters and the fun in the first 2/3 of the book.

[Kandice Newren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabel's Bed is another great story by Elinor Lipman. It is still light, funny, and engrossing. The funny thing about this book is it's pretty much all about sex, not in the detailed sense, but how it's a part of everybody's life. The writers in the story talk about how they don't want to write about sex in detail, but it's what everybody wants. Then there is one of the main characters whose life is pretty much about sex, and a book she's having written about a scandal she was a part of (yes, dealing with sex). The irony is that the author doesn't go into detail about the sex the characters engage in, but she does leave enough tidbits that you can figure out what she means. It's all around a humorous book, not nearly as funny as The Family Man, but the characters are more developed (at least I think so).

[Lynn Pribus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book just tickled me. Great narrator. Amusing plot. What I especially liked was the way she handled two scenes simultaneously. Hard to explain, but here's just one example

The son of Nan, the woman who has killed her husband (in a moment of temporary insanity, so she is now out of the mental hospital), is a star on a soap opera.

Nan; Isabel, the woman who was in bed with said husband at the time he was murdered; Isabel's sometimes estranged husband, Kostas; the handyman Peter; and Harriet, the ghost writer for Isabel who is writing a book about the entire incident are watching an episode of the soap opera. Their dialogue intertwines with the episode on the screen.

Hard to describe, but Lipman juggles it all so nicely. Very witty and clever and deft aad bright and lots of fun.

[Jane Lively · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I never wrote up a review for this! It's not even on my own blog. :/

This book wound up being one of my favorites. It's slow to get into, but it's the kind you need to read the first 200 pages of for it to start getting good -- and if you go into it having any thoughts about what you'll think about it, you'll be disappointed. "Isabel's Bed" requires an open mind. It's not going to be overtly sexual. It's humorous, more so after the half mark. Isabel's a hoot, and Harriet's a seedling coming into full bloom.

The ending is an unexpected, yet pleasant, one -- it was refreshing, actually, how I was unable to predict how it'd turn out. I adore that in a book.

If you despise subtle, slow-unwinding plots which edge and edge you until the conclusion, this book won't be ever in your favor.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read about a 40 something woman, recently dumped by her jerk of a boyfriend, who is hired to ghostwrite the story of an infamous love-triangle murder by the mistress of the murdered man, and becomes drawn into a world very different (and a lot more interesting) than her own. Sometimes predictable (will she get together with the hunky handyman?), sometimes twisty (the murdering wife gets released from the mental hospital and comes for a visit), but always enjoyable. Lipman does a good job creating realistic and likeable characters.

[Celia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light and breezy tale that takes place on the Cape, so naturally, I had to read it. Harriet has just been jilted by her live-in boyfriend, and after giving him almost 10 of the best years of her life, she has to move on. She has been in a writing group in NYC, but still has nothing to show for it. A new situation arises, and Harriet heads to Truro in winter, to ghost-write a scandalous story of Isabel, who was in her lover's bed when he was shot dead by his wife. This is funny and cute, a good summer read.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What to say about this? Definately not what I expected. Although I can't pinpoint what I was expecting either. A story of loss and gain (even if that sounds cheesy) but still a novel that leaves you saying: that's it? Not that I want to read more, I just kind of feel like I finished a book that told me...well...nothing.
At least it was a quick read.

[Mizloo · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining plot, but very slow moving. Lots and lots of decorator and wardrobe details. Interesting characters, especially Isabel. And the back half of the book made slogging through the first half worthwhile - some nifty plot twists and revelations of various characters' shadow selves.

[Julie Ehlers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elinor Lipman books are always a good time.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it on vacation, and it was a fun read. I love Elinor Lipman; I'm working my way through all her books. Not a dud yet.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book and author! I am so excited to discover Lipman (thanks Susy!) and am looking forward to reading as many of her books as I can get my hands on.