Good in Bed

Set in Philadelphia, Good in Bed (2001), a novel by American author Jennifer Weiner, tells the story of Candace "Cannie" Shapiro, an entertainment journalist whose life changes forever after her ex-boyfriend Bruce—with whom she only recently, and temporarily, broke up—publishes a magazine article in which he candidly discusses her weight and other issues. This event is the catalyst that compels Cannie to reexamine her life and seek closure for the long-held wounds that resulted from her father's abandonment when she was a child.

The novel opens as Cannie's friend Samantha contacts Cannie to ask her if she has read the latest issue of Moxie. She hasn't, but when she does, she is shocked. Bruce has written an article entitled "Good in Bed," all about his experiences "loving a larger woman." Though he only refers to her in the article as C., Cannie knows it is her he writes about. And so does everyone else in their lives who knew them as a couple for the three years they were together.

Angry and embarrassed, Cannie confronts Bruce, but he can't give her an acceptable explanation for his choice to publish such a scathing piece. She explodes in anger, informing him their breakup is no longer temporary; they are officially over.



Several weeks later, Bruce's father passes away. Cannie decides to go to the funeral to show her support for the family and to perhaps find some peace with Bruce. Her plans, however, hit a snag, and she and Bruce end up sleeping together. This restokes all the old emotions for Cannie, and she starts to see this as a second chance with Bruce—until he tells her he's seeing someone new.

Cannie channels her heartbreak into her work and into improving herself. She joins a weight loss program, and she starts to explore ways to get her screenplay produced. A job calls her to New York City, where she interviews superstar Maxi Rider, and the two hit it off, with Cannie entrusting Maxi with her screenplay and, hopefully, a production deal.

Once back at home, Cannie keeps going to the weight loss program until her doctor, Peter, suddenly refuses to let her continue with it: A recent exam revealed that she is pregnant. She knows that Bruce is the father and that they conceived on the day of his dad's funeral. She considers abortion but ultimately decides to keep the baby. She writes to Bruce and tells him of the pregnancy, urging him to get in touch if he wants to be a father to their child. He never replies, so Cannie commits herself to raise her child on her own.



Cannie settles into the first few months of pregnancy, looking forward to being a mother. Her family and closest friends all support her decision. But when Maxi calls and tells Cannie that some producers are interested in her screenplay, Cannie, knowing this is the chance of a lifetime, sets off for Los Angeles. Hollywood proves to be magic. Cannie hangs out with Maxi, has meetings with producers, and attends industry parties. She briefly debates moving to L.A. but eventually decides that Philadelphia is home.

At the airport in Philly, Cannie runs into Bruce and his new girlfriend. They have an awkward exchange, and Bruce's girlfriend follows Cannie into the bathroom. The two engage in a little verbal sparring, distracting Cannie and causing her to slip on the wet floor. Her stomach hits the sink as she goes down.

When Cannie regains unconsciousness, she is in the hospital, her friends at her side. They inform her that she's going to be okay, but the injury she suffered was severe. So severe that she gave birth prematurely and had to then have a hysterectomy. Cannie names her daughter Joy.



Cannie gets out of the hospital, but Joy must stay there until she is stronger and more stable. Cannie grows increasingly sad and isolated, a mixture of post-partum depression, separation anxiety over having to leave Joy, and despair over her inability to have more children. She also deals with a crushing blow from her estranged father, whom she confronts about his abandonment of her when she was a child, only for him to throw her out of his office. Despondent, Cannie practically stops eating. She takes to going on long walks around Philadelphia. On one of these walks, she spots Peter's clinic. She meets with him, and because he recognizes her symptoms as depression, he takes her home with him to prepare her a homecooked meal. They talk about her feelings, and Peter expresses care and affection for her.

Once Joy comes home, Cannie moves in with her mother so she can have help with the baby. Cannie's depression gradually lifts. She and Peter begin dating, and when it comes time for her to return to her own apartment, she and Peter move in together.

To reclaim her power and resolve the wounds of the past, Cannie goes to Moxie's offices and tells them that she is the notorious C. that Bruce wrote about. The magazine offers her a job writing a regular column called "Loving a Larger Woman."