In her highly anticipated new novel, Judy Blume, the New York Times # 1 best-selling author of Summer Sisters and of young adult classics such as Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, creates a richly textured and moving story of three generations of families, friends and strangers, whose lives are profoundly changed by unexpected events. In 1987, Miri Ammerman returns to her hometown of … 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 is vintage Judy Blume, with all the hallmarks of Judy Blume’s unparalleled storytelling, and full of memorable characters who cope with loss, remember the good times and, finally, wonder at the joy that keeps them going.
Early reviewers have already weighed in: “Like many family stories, this one is not without its life-changing secrets and surprises. There is no surprise that the book is smoothly written, and its story compelling. The setting—the early 1950s—is especially well realized through period references and incidents.” —Booklist (starred review) and “In Blume’s latest adult novel . . . young and old alike must learn to come to terms with technological disaster and social change. Her novel is characteristically accessible, frequently charming and always deeply human.” —Publishers Weekly
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How great to read Judy Blume as a grown up. I LOVED this book. I could not put it down
I had a really hard time keeping the characters straight.
This book is a fictionalized account of the real-life triple disaster that struck Elizabeth, NJ in a span of less than two months in late 1951 and early 1952 when three commercial aircraft crashed into the heart of the city, killing most on board and many in their homes. Author Judy Blume, having lived through the events as a young teenager, paints an emotionally heart-wrenching portrait of those whose lives were changed forever as a result.
Judy Blume does herself proud with this one! I even bought it in hard copy for my daughter.
This book revolves around actual happenings I’d never heard about in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1951-52. The author lived there at the time so her many touch points of how life was ring so true. And so interesting! The characters are so lifelike and really pull you into so many story lines.
Always fabulous author!!!
Awesome book based on real life events.
I had never heard of these tragic plane crashes and was mesmerized by this semi-historic tale of life and death.
So good! I loved the story and learned some historical facts I didn’t know!!
The author weaves an interesting story of a small neighborhood suffering from a series of tragedies. The characters are vivid and very engaging with surprising turn of events. Beautifully written and very human. An excellent read.
I had heard that Judy Blume was writing books for grown-ups, so I decided to give this one a try. I’m undecided who the intended audience is: there’s too much sex for young adults, but most of the primary characters are under the age of 20. And, there were way too many of them — difficult to keep everyone straight.
It wasn’t until about page 250 that I began to “care” about the townspeople’s stories, about what was happening in between planes dropping out of the sky. I hated the way that the answer to the problem seemed to be to pick up and move — to run away. But once everyone did run away, I half expected another plane crash to happen in another part of the country.
I don’t think that I will seek out another of this author’s books.
Judy Blume should live and write forever. I love her children’s and YA books and love her adult novels; she appeals to every age.
Humorous and sentimental portrayal of a period and place in time.
I very much enjoyed this story. Blume’s writing is always exceptional and well developed.
Loved this book! I think it’s the best of all her books for adults!
When tragedy occurs in the town of Elizabeth, New Jersey from 1951-1952. Based on real-life events of plane crashes that occurred in the town and how three generations of families, friends and stray had their lives changed from the traumatic events.
This wonderful women’s fiction was a delightful read. It did have some high and lows about the book but I still enjoyed reading the story.
Deals with events happening in a period that is nostalgic, but also has its share of tragedies
Easy read, but I found myself a bit bored in the middle. I never really got closure on why the airplanes crashed. I like Judy Blume but this was not my favorite book of hers.
I think I’ve outgrown Judy Blume. Not that I wanted to. In my 70’s , I’ve read her for decades. This novel, despite being based in reality was a stretch as far as my willingness to “feel” for the characters. They seemed less than human : more stereotypes: rich kids, single moms, oldsters falling in love and getting married….I was disappointed . She has done better in her earlier books.
An interesting story, but a little difficult to keep all of the characters straight. A great author, but the story didn’t come capture me the way her other works have.