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Bad Dreams
Book by Fine, Anne
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2000
6 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Anne Fine
392 books289 followersThough readers often find themselves inadvertently laughing aloud as they read Anne Fine's novels, as she herself admits, "a lot of my work, even for fairly young readers, raises serious social issues. Growing up is a long and confusing business. I try to show that the battle through the chaos is worthwhile and can, at times, be seen as very funny." In 1994, this unique combination of humour and realism inspired the hit movie MRS. DOUBTFIRE, based on Anne's novel MADAME DOUBTFIRE and starring the late comedic genius Robin Williams.
Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)
Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.
Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.
Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)
Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.
Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 17, 2023
I’ve always loved Anne Fine’s books, ever since I discovered her at the age of 9 (browsing the bookcase at a B&B in Alaska, of all places).
Fine’s books are written precisely, with a unique voice (I could identify a page of Fine’s writing out of context in a heartbeat). They’re also quintessentially “British suburb” in language and style and overall vibe.
Perhaps most importantly, Anne Fine is highly respectful of her child-readers. She writes books for bookworms (not for the half-wit who is being forced to read a book, any book, for a book report), and she therefore assumes they’re rather more discerning in taste than the half-wit. She never talks down to her reader, nor does she include anything trite or cutesy.
She beautifully captures the thoughts of a child bookworm:
“Being a bookworm is like having a protective shield. It sends a message: ‘Please leave me out of things unless I ask. Act as if I’m not here. It’s not that I’m lonely. It’s just that I’m happy on my own.’ I wouldn’t want to have to get through even one day the way the others do it. I see them, constantly in each other’s company, always cheerful, always chatty. They never get ratty when someone suddenly begins to plait their hair without even asking, or begs to try on their glasses, or pesters them for hours about who is their favourite singer. Twenty different people can come up, one after another, and tell them something they already know, like ‘You’ve got a cold,’ or ‘Those are new shoes you’re wearing,’ and they keep smiling. They don’t even mind. I don’t know how they do it. I’d go mad.”
And this, a truth about readers of all ages:
“She’d never find the necklace. She just doesn’t read enough. If she read books, she’d understand that people live their own loves - lives completely special to them. They have their own things that matter, their own ways of going about them, and their own words to talk about them if they want.”
Anne Fine also, rather wisely, understands that children do not appreciate being all lumped in together. To an adult, for instance, a 5 year old and a 9 year old might not seem so very different; to a 9 year old, they are worlds apart, and to suggest otherwise would be an insult. Take, for instance, this passage as narrated by our heroine Melanie (who I believe is about 10):
“Would you have finished the last book you read if it has been about a plain, happy person doing nothing but plain, happy things?
When you were three, perhaps. Certainly not now.”
I just love the insulted dignity in that commentary. Anne Fine writes the way intelligent children really think, not the way stupid adults think all children think.
Fine’s books are written precisely, with a unique voice (I could identify a page of Fine’s writing out of context in a heartbeat). They’re also quintessentially “British suburb” in language and style and overall vibe.
Perhaps most importantly, Anne Fine is highly respectful of her child-readers. She writes books for bookworms (not for the half-wit who is being forced to read a book, any book, for a book report), and she therefore assumes they’re rather more discerning in taste than the half-wit. She never talks down to her reader, nor does she include anything trite or cutesy.
She beautifully captures the thoughts of a child bookworm:
“Being a bookworm is like having a protective shield. It sends a message: ‘Please leave me out of things unless I ask. Act as if I’m not here. It’s not that I’m lonely. It’s just that I’m happy on my own.’ I wouldn’t want to have to get through even one day the way the others do it. I see them, constantly in each other’s company, always cheerful, always chatty. They never get ratty when someone suddenly begins to plait their hair without even asking, or begs to try on their glasses, or pesters them for hours about who is their favourite singer. Twenty different people can come up, one after another, and tell them something they already know, like ‘You’ve got a cold,’ or ‘Those are new shoes you’re wearing,’ and they keep smiling. They don’t even mind. I don’t know how they do it. I’d go mad.”
And this, a truth about readers of all ages:
“She’d never find the necklace. She just doesn’t read enough. If she read books, she’d understand that people live their own loves - lives completely special to them. They have their own things that matter, their own ways of going about them, and their own words to talk about them if they want.”
Anne Fine also, rather wisely, understands that children do not appreciate being all lumped in together. To an adult, for instance, a 5 year old and a 9 year old might not seem so very different; to a 9 year old, they are worlds apart, and to suggest otherwise would be an insult. Take, for instance, this passage as narrated by our heroine Melanie (who I believe is about 10):
“Would you have finished the last book you read if it has been about a plain, happy person doing nothing but plain, happy things?
When you were three, perhaps. Certainly not now.”
I just love the insulted dignity in that commentary. Anne Fine writes the way intelligent children really think, not the way stupid adults think all children think.
August 4, 2024
I picked this book up in a random Turkish second hand bookstore just because I saw her name was Mel haha
And I wanted to try out the "pick a random book" thing ;-;
For that, the book was totally fine! But the thing is that the character made me feel reeeaaalllyy uncomfortable so I wasn't really enjoying it.
Also, you are basically thrown into the story without so much as an explanation on what exactly is going on ;-;
And I wanted to try out the "pick a random book" thing ;-;
For that, the book was totally fine! But the thing is that the character made me feel reeeaaalllyy uncomfortable so I wasn't really enjoying it.
Also, you are basically thrown into the story without so much as an explanation on what exactly is going on ;-;
July 15, 2012
This book is about a girl called Mel who enjoys reading and prefers being on her own. She is made unwillingly to look after the new girl in school, Imogen, but all is not what it seems to be. Imogen is strange and mysterious and Mel is adamant to find out her secret. Mel makes it her duty to help her new friend get rid of her "bad dreams".
Anne Fine had me captivated with this book. Once I started reading this book I did not want to stop until I had finished. This book shows that it is ok to be yourself even if you are different from the rest.
I would recommend this book for age 8-11
I think this book can be used to inspire creative writing, where the pupils can maybe write a diary entry as if they were either one of the main characters. It is also a good book for independent reading.
Anne Fine had me captivated with this book. Once I started reading this book I did not want to stop until I had finished. This book shows that it is ok to be yourself even if you are different from the rest.
I would recommend this book for age 8-11
I think this book can be used to inspire creative writing, where the pupils can maybe write a diary entry as if they were either one of the main characters. It is also a good book for independent reading.
September 7, 2022
So. I came across this book whilst organising my friend's bookshelf (something I didn't realise I was talented at, but I think I've found my calling) and asked her if I could borrow it because.. Well, I'm not sure really. But anyway, I should stop picking up children's books and expecting them to be masterpieces. This was definitely not a masterpiece. Even for children's books standards it was pretty bad. The main character (who I assume we're meant to sympathise with) just was really a horrible person just all the way through. Yeah, not my vibe.
May 24, 2025
I borrowed this book from the school library around 20 years ago, and found it really strange and chilling and it stuck with me. Fast-forward about 10 years, and I was still intermittently thinking about how creepy this story was. Now with access to the internet I tried to find the name of this book, googling elements from the plot and searching lists of popular books and authors from the time period to no success. Last year, I joined a Facebook page for book lovers, and I decided to make a post describing what I remembered from the plot. It took about an hour, and someone across the country posted the name and title and it turned out to be this book: Bad Dreams by Anne Fine. I couldn’t resist buying a copy and re-reading it all these years later.
This still holds up as a well-written story but isn’t nearly as creepy as I remember. I don’t even think it’s really meant to be creepy, not in the way that Coraline or The House with the Clock In It’s Walls are. Regardless, I’m glad to have been able to revisit a story that has haunted me in multiple ways almost my whole life.
This still holds up as a well-written story but isn’t nearly as creepy as I remember. I don’t even think it’s really meant to be creepy, not in the way that Coraline or The House with the Clock In It’s Walls are. Regardless, I’m glad to have been able to revisit a story that has haunted me in multiple ways almost my whole life.
December 12, 2019
This was really surprisingly good. I mean I don't know how much I like either of the main characters, Mel or Imogen, but they were interesting characters and they did seem to grow and develop over the course of the book.
I found the concept of the book to be fabulous. It was a little bit creepy in a way, and I guess I felt a little sorry for Imogen (perhaps the same way Mel did a bit) but it was a really cool idea and well executed. I like that things both did and didn't end well, depending on what aspects you are looking at.
I found the book to be well paced and I liked the shortness of the chapters, and the book in general, it was not too much and things weren't dragged out just to make a longer book.
A good book over all. I am really glad I got to read it.
I found the concept of the book to be fabulous. It was a little bit creepy in a way, and I guess I felt a little sorry for Imogen (perhaps the same way Mel did a bit) but it was a really cool idea and well executed. I like that things both did and didn't end well, depending on what aspects you are looking at.
I found the book to be well paced and I liked the shortness of the chapters, and the book in general, it was not too much and things weren't dragged out just to make a longer book.
A good book over all. I am really glad I got to read it.
February 9, 2025
This book was a nice read. Bad Dreams is a book that is meant for a younger audiences. However sometimes I like reading these short of books a something a bit different.
I feel the main character in her wanting to be left alone to read. Saying that most of the decision she makes are so selfish and inconsiderate to everyone around her and I just hate how she is rewarded in the end. Pretty much everything she does is centered around her and what she things rather rumen thinking outside herself.
Imogen's powers sound so cool and I really wish we could have seen where that lead Eastney Enham following Mel. I wish the book would have followed Imogen as she learned about her powers.
Overall this book was ok with good writing. I think it intended audience would love it. Even if I wish Tbr main character faced some sort of punishment for her actions, I still this this book is a good book
I feel the main character in her wanting to be left alone to read. Saying that most of the decision she makes are so selfish and inconsiderate to everyone around her and I just hate how she is rewarded in the end. Pretty much everything she does is centered around her and what she things rather rumen thinking outside herself.
Imogen's powers sound so cool and I really wish we could have seen where that lead Eastney Enham following Mel. I wish the book would have followed Imogen as she learned about her powers.
Overall this book was ok with good writing. I think it intended audience would love it. Even if I wish Tbr main character faced some sort of punishment for her actions, I still this this book is a good book
May 15, 2021
Omg! Last night, I had a dream about a new girl who came to my high school. This new girl reminded me of a story character I had, named Imogen. I actually forgot about Imogen (my character) for years, maybe even 10 years. But I thought the name Imogen felt familiar, so I checked it on Wikipedia, read about the interesting entry on Shakespeare's Imogen. I was still curious, so I checked the list of fictional characters called Imogen on the wiki article...and then Bad Dreams by Anne Fine caught my eye! OH MY GOODNESS I FEEL SO OVERWHELMED. THIS WAS A BOOK I WAS LOOKING FOR ALL THESE YEARS. I read and adored this book as a kid, but sadly completely forgot the book title, author, and even character names! Until Imogen (indirectly) came to me in a dream last night. A character in Bad Dreams came to me in a dream. XD
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June 23, 2024What a horrible book!
September 8, 2022
I read this absolutely ages ago so anything I say is what child me thought of it. But I remember LOVING it!
Oh my goodness, it was a masterpiece, one of the first books I read that really made me think about it and go 'wow that was amazing'.
I really loved the whole idea and some of the scenes I remember were quite intense! This needs to be discussed more!
Oh my goodness, it was a masterpiece, one of the first books I read that really made me think about it and go 'wow that was amazing'.
I really loved the whole idea and some of the scenes I remember were quite intense! This needs to be discussed more!
August 29, 2017
Charming for its scant pages, and the ending took me for a turn, but was THIS close to suffering from 'Inkheart syndrome,' wherein the author would bombard us with narratives about how much the MC loves reading books over and over and over again.
March 28, 2018
I don't feel like I can leave a full review for this book, seen as I thought I'd never read it before, but after getting to the halfway point I think I must have? And now I can't tell whether I actually enjoyed it or it was all nostalgia.
June 19, 2020
3.5*
This book had elements of creepiness that I really enjoyed. The concept is original and fascinating. The main character was annoying so I'm glad it was a short book. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Fine's writing style so I do want to explore her other books!
This book had elements of creepiness that I really enjoyed. The concept is original and fascinating. The main character was annoying so I'm glad it was a short book. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Fine's writing style so I do want to explore her other books!
June 27, 2023
Captivating, enjoyed the read couldn't put it down but the ending felt a little anti climatic love the author's child-like-esque vibe/voice. The main character made me laugh a bit with the shock of how spicy and up front and not going to lie how mean she was with her opinions loved it haha
August 16, 2019
All I remember about this book was that it was really strange
May 28, 2025
Spooky, very spooky.
What I like best about this is that the reader is the practical one. A surprising number of books for children are rather negative about reading (go out in the sunshine! have an adventure!). This one is all about all the things you can learn from books and how very practical a reader can be. Mel--as she disentangles an enchantment--is a close cousin of Pratchett's Malicia.
A delightful book.
What I like best about this is that the reader is the practical one. A surprising number of books for children are rather negative about reading (go out in the sunshine! have an adventure!). This one is all about all the things you can learn from books and how very practical a reader can be. Mel--as she disentangles an enchantment--is a close cousin of Pratchett's Malicia.
A delightful book.
October 22, 2024
Anne Fine's Bad Dreams is a chilling exploration of childhood fears and anxieties. The story follows a young boy who is plagued by terrifying nightmares that blur the lines between fantasy and reality.
The book effectively captures the unsettling nature of childhood fears, and the protagonist's struggle to overcome them is both relatable and suspenseful. However, the narrative can be slow-paced at times, and the resolution feels somewhat abrupt.
The book effectively captures the unsettling nature of childhood fears, and the protagonist's struggle to overcome them is both relatable and suspenseful. However, the narrative can be slow-paced at times, and the resolution feels somewhat abrupt.
August 22, 2011
‘Bad dreams’ by Anne Fine was one of my favourite books when I was in primary school. Probably because I could relate to Melanie as the class bookworm! Imogen is the new girl at school and Melanie is assigned the task of looking after her. Melanie much prefers to surround herself with fictional characters in books rather than her peers, hence why she has never had any real friends. However there is a sense that something is not right with Imogen as everyone moves away from her and finds her ‘creepy’. We quickly find out that Imogen has a gift, but it appears to be more of a curse. When she touches a book she is transported inside and the story comes to life.
Like a book, Melanie is eager to find out everything about Imogen’s curse. However as Imogen’s curse becomes more of a problem, Melanie sets out to rid Imogen of this curse. We soon discover that the key to the curse lies within a family heirloom – a necklace. The ending of the book is peculiar as Melanie appears to have learnt nothing from the past six weeks that she has spent with Imogen. She appears to be happier with the fact that she has freed herself from her only real friend, so she is free to return to her one true love – books!
This book is very accessible to readers as it is written in a very simplistic style. Anne Fine also has a style that makes her stories so realistic; I could actually imagine this coming true (I think we get a real sense of what Imogen’s curse must be like)! Melanie did annoy me a bit when she returns to her old life pre-Imogen but on reflection I can see that she is happier with the books than with real people. I think this book would be ideal for children aged 9-11, especially those who are self-confessed bookworms!
Like a book, Melanie is eager to find out everything about Imogen’s curse. However as Imogen’s curse becomes more of a problem, Melanie sets out to rid Imogen of this curse. We soon discover that the key to the curse lies within a family heirloom – a necklace. The ending of the book is peculiar as Melanie appears to have learnt nothing from the past six weeks that she has spent with Imogen. She appears to be happier with the fact that she has freed herself from her only real friend, so she is free to return to her one true love – books!
This book is very accessible to readers as it is written in a very simplistic style. Anne Fine also has a style that makes her stories so realistic; I could actually imagine this coming true (I think we get a real sense of what Imogen’s curse must be like)! Melanie did annoy me a bit when she returns to her old life pre-Imogen but on reflection I can see that she is happier with the books than with real people. I think this book would be ideal for children aged 9-11, especially those who are self-confessed bookworms!
September 20, 2011
I liked this book. I have read a few of Anne Fine's books and although this is not one of my favourites, I think it's a really good read for children (probably girls rather than boys) of 9 or 10.
Mel or 'Melly' (did she really not mind being called that?!), as people called her, the narrator, was quite rude at times and I cringed at her lack of social skills. I would have preferred it if she were more of a likeable character that children could like and want to be like, especially as she could show that it's okay to be someone who likes to read and prefers to spend time alone, even if others think it's odd.
I found the teacher annoying and not very realistic (probably because I am a teacher myself), but I think he would be realistic enough for 9-10 year olds not to pick up on this and it certainly wouldn't spoil the story for them.
The idea for the story is fantastic and the plot was so unpredictable, I was keen to read to the end to find out how it all turned out.
There were a few things I would like to have found out more about, such as Imogen's mother and what was going on with her. We found out a little and I guess that's enough for a minor character in the book, but it would have been interesting to find out more about her.
Overall, I think this book may have been better if it had been written in 3rd person narrative, but nevertheless, I think it would be an enjoyable read for confident junior readers.
Mel or 'Melly' (did she really not mind being called that?!), as people called her, the narrator, was quite rude at times and I cringed at her lack of social skills. I would have preferred it if she were more of a likeable character that children could like and want to be like, especially as she could show that it's okay to be someone who likes to read and prefers to spend time alone, even if others think it's odd.
I found the teacher annoying and not very realistic (probably because I am a teacher myself), but I think he would be realistic enough for 9-10 year olds not to pick up on this and it certainly wouldn't spoil the story for them.
The idea for the story is fantastic and the plot was so unpredictable, I was keen to read to the end to find out how it all turned out.
There were a few things I would like to have found out more about, such as Imogen's mother and what was going on with her. We found out a little and I guess that's enough for a minor character in the book, but it would have been interesting to find out more about her.
Overall, I think this book may have been better if it had been written in 3rd person narrative, but nevertheless, I think it would be an enjoyable read for confident junior readers.
October 20, 2010
Don't let the name scare you it's a brilliant book about a girl who is a bit mysterious when she "reads" books.....okay I guess that that first summary kinda leaves ya' hangin' sooooooooo let me try again...So a girl named Melonie has a girl thats just moved into her class named Imogen. So,Imogen is a young girl that is VERY emotional and SEEMS to have read all of the books she see's and touches. When she writes summaries it's as if the main character is writing it in their own words.When Melonie gets, well, CURSED to be her "buddie" she feels that she's doomed but when they become friends the secret is no more between the two girls Melonie simply has to help her friend!Will she figure out what's causing these stange nightmares in the middle of the day? Will she loose her friend trying to save her? Will the curse be lifted????????????
November 22, 2010
This book is about a girl who is mentally writing a book. The book that she is writing is about a gil who doesn't read books like we do. She reads books by putting her hand on the cover and then she can find out what happens in the book. No one knows why she puts her hand on the cover of the books. She makes everyone feel uneasy. No one goes near her except for one girl. (the girl writing the mental book)
July 28, 2013
Mel loves reading more than anything else in the world – so why would the teacher make her a buddy to the new girl in class who obviously hates books? Mel quickly realizes that there is something terribly wrong with the new girl, Imogen. While everyone else avoids her, Mel tries to get to the bottom of it. At first it’s pure curiosity, then a desperate attempt to free Imogen from a terrifying life. A mystery and a real page-turner!
March 8, 2010
This is an extremely intriguing book. It was DEFFINATLY worth my time. I would reccomend this book primarily to people interested in odd supernatural abilities. However this book would be fascinating to anyone just looking for a fantastic adventure. This book sucks you in and has you turning pages after pages until you have reached the end. I loved this book.
March 22, 2010
Is a great book it is about a girl which goes to a new school. There she meets different people but are not very nice whith her only the weirdest girl of the grade.They are friends now but they have a big fight for a necklace would their friendship be finished....?
It is a great book for 5 graders.
It is a great book for 5 graders.
September 8, 2010
This wasn't a great book, but it was okay. The ending was pretty blah, and the main character didn't seem to have gained anything from her adventure. I probably will not spend much time recommending this book to students.
April 28, 2012
I love this book when I first started reading this book I thougtht it was weird but once you get into ityou love it. It's very mysterios and gripping. Well written, one of the best books i've ever read.
May 21, 2024
Gonna be honest I read this years ago I dont even remeber what happned. Was the first book I ever actually read tho and I can remeber that I loved it. I don’t even have the physical copy anymore but I still think about it all the time.
Want to read
April 26, 2011Why I want to read this: I went to Oxford Literary Festival with my mum, and Anne Fine was there :)
September 13, 2011
This used to be one of my favourite books when I was a kid. I re-read it so many times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews