A friend recommended that I read this book, and I’m so happy she did. Although the title is a bit odd - it refers to a magazine column that the protagonist’s ex-boyfriend writes for - the plight of the main character, Cannie, is one we can all relate to.
This book takes the reader on a wild ride. It begins with the typical 20 something woman, not certain what she wants in a relationship, a job, life in general. She has recently broken up with her boyfriend Bruce. It gets interesting when she opens up a magazine and sees a column "Loving a Larger Woman" written by Bruce, about her.
The story takes off from there. We follow Cannie on her journey to find out, through trial and error, what she wants to make of her life. Its told through her eyes, with great humor and honesty. Cannie is not only the ‘every woman‘, but she’s the every woman who has made the mistakes and been on the adventures that haunt all of our "what ifs..". She is the voice inside us who wants to lose 10 pounds and says the wrong thing sometimes, who trips and falls in front of people, and feels insecure. She doesn’t have it all together and wrapped in a pink ribbon, and that’s so refreshing.
The story is not all lighthearted - it delves into feeling of loss, rejection ,and letting someone go, which we can all relate to on some level, and that I found very moving. It talks about mistakes and regrets in life that are inevitable. It allows the reader to be witness to someone else’s painful growing up process.
Most of the characters are well developed and likeable, though some are a bit clichéd - see the LA section - but probably right on the money. Some of Cannie’s adventures are a bit far fetched, but who’s to say it couldn’t happen ? Good In Bed makes for a great, entertaining read.
Besides the pot shots at vegetarians and Phish fans (!), I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was published in 2001 and was a New York Times bestseller.
Jennifer Weiner published another novel after this, In Her Shoes, which I’m looking forward to reading next!
