Judy Blume

The new adult novel from the beloved and bestselling Judy Blume, based on true events. When a series of passenger airplanes crashed in Elizabeth, NJ within a three-month period in 1951-1952, Judy Blume was a teenager. "These events have lingered in my mind ever since," says Blume. "It was a crazy time. We were witnessing things that were incomprehensible to us as teenagers. Was it sabotage? An alien invasion? No one knew, and people were understandably terrified." Against this background, Blume uses her imagination to bring us the lives of three generations of families, friends, and strangers who will be profoundly affected by these events, either directly or indirectly. But life goes on and Blume digs deep into her characters--we see them coping not only with grief but with first love, estranged parents, difficult friendships, familial obligations, divorce, career ambitions, a grandparent's love, a widower's hope, and everything in between... Most importantly, it is filled with the same warmth and authenticity that have won her the hearts and minds of readers of all generations.

In the Unlikely Event

In 1987, Miri Ammerman returns to her hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey, to attend a commemoration of the worst year of her life. Thirty-five years earlier, when Miri was fifteen, and in love for the first time, a succession of airplanes fell from the sky, leaving a community reeling. Against this backdrop of actual events that Blume experienced in the early 1950s, when airline travel was new and exciting and everyone dreamed of going somewhere, she paints a vivid portrait of a particular time and place -- Nat King Cole singing "Unforgettable," Elizabeth Taylor haircuts, young (and not-so-young) love, explosive friendships, A-bomb hysteria, rumors of Communist threat. And a young journalist who makes his name reporting tragedy. Through it all, one generation reminds another that life goes on.

In the unlikely event

Jackie Cunningham

Having never read one of Blume's adult books I wasn't sure what to expect. I wasn't disappointed, this is classic Judy. Even if you didn't read her as a child you'll enjoy this and marvel at how skilled she is at her craft. Taking inspiration from real life and weaving a tale told through multiple voices and generations she had created a brilliant multidimensional tale that fans will love.

Patricia Nelson

Good book club book; Crazy amount of characters to keep track of, so used a character map; Uses font to set the 1951 scene - very cool. Throwback with dixie cup with wooden spoon. :) Polio is a big issue; Newspaper articles help set scene and time; world has changed so much - for the better? President working in Key West because 3 week courier service; teletype on ship; Truman would walk on beach and swim in ocean - today there would be papparazzi and security.

Amy Thibodeau

I found this book incredibly average. It's probably worth an additional half point at 2.5/5. It's had so much hype, but I think that's because of who the author is and less about the quality of the work. 

The story is compelling, but I couldn't help but feel that there were some deep errors in its telling that made it hard for me to enjoy reading it: 

- There are far too many characters. Each one is somewhat interesting, but the moment I became invested, I was swept away to someone new and then had to build up that interest capital again. And again, by the time I did, we were on to someone new. I didn't feel like I really understood any of the characters or their motivations. 
- Some of the plot lines just ended up fizzling out without much resolution. An example of this was Miri's relationship with her father. 
- There were an incredible number of clichés and examples of where the text could have used a good, hard edit. 

The basic premise of the plot was interesting and the strongest parts of the novel were when new characters were introduced that you just knew were going to end up in one of the crashed planes. There was something eery about these sections and they helped to propel the plot forward. There was also a lot of potential around how a tragedy can break a family or community apart in a way that causes ripples decades into the future. I wish we'd spent a bit more time with the Osner family in the book because they were the best example of this. 

I loved Judy Blume when I was a kid and that's one of the reasons I was excited to read this book. Maybe my expectations were too high but I'm not terribly interested in reading another by her. I think she's best left with fond memories as part of my reading past.

Jeni Enjaian

I could not figure this book out and actually even after I finished have no idea why I persevered in reading this book. I could not understand the point of the narrative or why Blume flitted between so many different characters some of whom she spent precious narrative time on only to have them vanish from the narrative usually because they died.
I also expected a young adult novel and this book definitely does not fit in this genre. I found nothing appealing and still find myself astounded that I actually bothered to read it.

Zoe Smolen

Beautifully written book with a compelling story. Absolutely loved it. Every time I thought I had the plot figured out, I was wrong and Blume managed to surprise me.

In the Unlikely Event

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