Tales from the Bed: A Memoir (Paperback)

~ (Author), Valerie Estess (Author), Katie Couric (Foreword) "MARCH 17, 1997, was a very windy day in New York City..." (more)
Key Phrases: motor neuron disease, New York, Naked Angels, Rock Island (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

By the time 40-year-old Jenifer Estess died of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) last December, she and her sisters had founded an organization-Project A.L.S.-to find a cure for this fatal neuromuscular disease. This fast-paced, witty book, written with one of her sisters, is both a memoir of Jenifer's six-year struggle with the disease and a chronicle of Project A.L.S.'s birth and work. Unfortunately, the beauty of the writing and the story is compromised by a too-casual structure; even simple chapter titles could have remedied the book's scattered feeling. This haze appears elsewhere, too: for instance, after deciding to found Project A.L.S, the sisters recruited theater colleagues, including Ben Stiller, to help, but they don't explain how Jenifer had made those contacts in the first place (the necessary details of her profession as a theater producer aren't revealed until the book's second half). Flashbacks to Jenifer's romantic history and to her mother's love life are well written and funny, but sometimes feel inappropriate to the story. The book does engage, however, when it details Jenifer's relationship with her supportive friend Reed, who liberates-and loves-the wheelchair-bound Jenifer. But later, as Jenifer describes her inability to speak or write, readers may wonder how she managed to create this part of the book. The final chapter, though, is beautiful: in a clever, poignant twist, Jenifer continues to narrate her death and its aftermath, bringing the sisters' love and closeness full circle as readers wonder where Jenifer ends and Valerie begins.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Filled with Jenifer's singular grace and exquisite wit, [Tales] had me laughing and crying, often at the same time." -- Peter Hedges, screenwriter and director of Pieces of April

"Jenifer's unique wit and self-effacing charm pull you right into this touching and inspiring memoir of her remarkable life." -- Sarah Jessica Parker

"Once you meet Jenifer Estess you’ll never forget her..." -- Michael J. Fox, author of Lucky Man

"To read this story is not only to be inspired, it literally makes you see the world around you differently." -- Ben Stiller --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Washington Square Press (November 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743476832
• ISBN-13: 978-0743476836
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #275,993 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KACZOR REVIEW COMPLETELY WRONG!, April 25, 2005

By	Sally (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales from the Bed: On Living, Dying, and Having It All (Advance Reader's Excerpt) (Hardcover)

Kaczor completely missed the point of this book. Judging by this reviewer's other reviews, she's just looking for the gory details. TALES FROM THE BED is not about dying, it's about living, and living life to the fullest. The pain and despair of what Jenifer Estess and her sisters go through is theirs and theirs alone--it's a testament to Jenifer that she didn't want to burden the reader with this; no great writer spells it out the way this reviewer wants it spelled out. And if you really read the book (more closely than this reviewer did), you are inspired by the author's humor, warmth, insight, and generosity of spirit in the face of tragedy. This is a beautiful book--read it!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GIFT OF A BOOK!, July 21, 2004

By	J. S. WILLARD "eclectic reader" (CHARLESTON, SC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Tales from the Bed: On Living, Dying, and Having It All (Advance Reader's Excerpt) (Hardcover)

Such an amazing read. Read it in a day. This a rare autobiography where the spirit of the writer actually shines through. Roaringly funny and punch you in the gut devastating. I laughed out loud and moments later I would put the book down while this wave of sadness washed over. God bless these sisters and their work. Read this and count your blessings.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL, November 16, 2004

By	Mother of Four/Sister of Three (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales from the Bed: On Living, Dying, and Having It All (Advance Reader's Excerpt) (Hardcover)

I cannot remember the last time I read a book that was so beautifully written--so powerful and inspiring. The words--the story had me laughing, crying and reflecting on my own life. Because of this book--I am more thankful for each day that I have and more appreciative of those I love and who love me.