In the Unlikely Event

A well done story that interweaves characters and experiences. Judy Blume has a knack for writing about life in a way that the reader can identify with the emotions her characters feel and grapple with. I like that. Although it's a fictional story, the events that the story is rooted in actually happened.

“Hmmm... I really wanted to enjoy this book. Am I the only one that feels like I grew up but Judy Blume didn't really come along into adulthood with me? Reminds me nostalgically of all my Judy Blume favourites, but I was expecting more maturity from this book written for the adult fan.” — 6 minutes ago

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.

Judy Blume's books were such an important part of my life in the 1970s that I hate to say anything negative about her work. But In the Unlikely Event just did not work for me. The storyline is fascinating, and I enjoyed both the look at everyday life in suburban 1950s New Jersey and the horrible plane crashes that shattered the sense of safety and well-being. But I never really connected with the characters (possibly because there were so many of them) and Blume's writing skills are not what they used to be. I believe this is a story that needed to be told, but I have to admit that I think someone else could have done a better job at telling it.