Pretending the Bed is a Raft

by Nanci Kincaid

"Women always know more about the facts of life because most of the facts happen to women," writes a mother to her daughter in the title story of this breathtaking collection, which goes on to prove just that.

Nanci Kincaid's eight exquisite stories deftly capture the kind of moments a woman never forgets. Watching the mysterious transformation of your mother as she dolls herself up for a night on the town--with a man other than your father. Watching your best friend fall for the bad boy in town. Wondering if the man at work you're secretly in love with means something by the hand he lets linger on your arm. Kissing a man named Gable on a moonlit night when you've just found out you have only a few months left to live.

With an irresistible narrative voice that captures both the humor and heartbreak of love, Nanci Kincaid paints a portrait of women's lifelong courtship with men that will make you laugh and cry in recognition.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Feminism

241 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Camille Curtis]

This book is what my favorite film "My Life Without Me" is based on. It is more specifically inspired by the final short story from which the book gets its title.

[Keybo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like most short story compilations, the endings are left quite open ended. I enjoy that aspect, as I feel that I get to think more critically about what I read, what happened in the story, and about the potential outcomes and what the author was trying to make me feel. I would advise against this book if open ended stories aren’t your thing.

[Anina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Nanci Kincaid.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection of eight stories left me cold until the last one. That last one is amazing.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book (series of short stories) just felt special from the moment I first opened it. I just want to hold the book a little longer. While this may be the only time I say I liked the movie better than the book (My Life Without Me, which was based on the last short story and the namsake of the book - one of my favorite movies), I still loved this. Sad it's done.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an interesting collection of shorts stories. All the lead characters have to make decisions and I found myself asking what I would decide in the same situation

[Alyssa Acula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of eight short stories; each having a quirk all of their own; each realistically written; each making me sadder and sadder as I read through their ending. Argh. This is a bit depressing. I've read through all eight stories and not one of them has a remotely happy conclusion. They're just so real, the situations the characters are in, that it just gives credence to these endings. I mean three of them have main characters involved in adulterous relationships, each accepting that they couldn't leave the person that they're married to for their own various reasons, and given all the other details, I kept thinking "How f*cked up and SAD is that?!". The last one, though, the last story, which is of the same title as the book, is just plain DEPRESSING. Ugh. I don't want to think about it anymore, so I won't.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this collection of short stories wass pretty outstanding. Each story has a weird quirk in it that keeps the characters interesting. The last story in particular (namesake of the book) was especially moving.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello Tough Southern Girls! Almodovar based his movie "My Life Without Me" on one of these short stories (which is why I read it....one of my favorite movies).

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice collection of short stories.

[Claire S]

became a film..

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the few occasions when I actually liked the movie better than the book.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first two and the last short stories were pretty good, but I didn't care for the rest of them.

[Sandy McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

V

[Judas Machina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated it. it's one of the few times I've hated a book, and loved the film adaptation.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

thought provoking- life from a very different perspective

[Zellah]

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