In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume is a deeply moving novel that intertwines the personal growth of a young girl with the historical events of the 1950s. The story begins in 1987 when Miri Ammerman returns to her hometown to attend a commemoration of a year that was marked by tragedy. Thirty-five years earlier, when Miri was fifteen, three planes fell from the sky within three months, leaving the community of Elizabeth, New Jersey, reeling. The plane crashes bring some people closer together and tear others apart, creating myths and unlocking secrets. As Miri experiences the ordinary joys and pains of growing up in extraordinary circumstances, a young journalist makes his name reporting tragedy. /n/n Against this backdrop of actual events, Judy Blume weaves a haunting story of three generations of families, friends, and strangers, whose lives are forever changed in the aftermath. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and resilience, set against the exciting and dangerous early days of airline travel.

Reviews

WKAR · 2015-08-13

compelling 4.00

The reviewer enjoys the skillful incorporation of historical events and the wonderful characterizations, finding the novel to be a compelling and well-crafted story.

This review highlights the skillful way Blume incorporates historical events into the narrative, making the story feel both personal and historically significant. The reviewer admires the characterizations, noting that each character is well-developed and adds depth to the story. They find the novel to be a compelling and well-crafted story, with a blend of historical context and personal drama that makes it a memorable read. The reviewer also appreciates the way Blume captures the atmosphere of the time period, adding to the overall impact of the novel.

Quick quotes

Besides the wonderful characterizations, another thing I enjoyed about the work is how skillfully Blume incorporates the events of her story.

The novel is a compelling and well-crafted story, with a blend of historical context and personal drama.

Blume captures the atmosphere of the time period, adding to the overall impact of the novel.

The Guardian · 2015-06-07

extraordinary 4.50

The novel is praised as a perfect blend of narrative and emotion, capturing the essence of a traumatic period with skillful storytelling. The characters and their interactions are highlighted as particularly compelling.

This review highlights the novel's ability to weave together a complex narrative with deep emotional resonance. The reviewer admires how the book captures the atmosphere of a small town dealing with a series of plane crashes, noting the skillful character development and the way Blume intertwines the lives of her characters. They also appreciate the historical context and the way it adds depth to the story, making it a poignant and memorable read. The reviewer finds the characters to be well-drawn and their interactions to be particularly compelling, adding to the overall impact of the novel.

Quick quotes

Blume's first adult novel in more than 15 years, based on three plane crashes in 1952, is the perfect jigsaw of narrative and emotion.

The novel captures the atmosphere of a small town dealing with a series of plane crashes.

The characters and their interactions are highlighted as particularly compelling.

Goodreads · Barb Saffer · 2015-06-02

engaging 3.60

The book is well-written and engaging, with a captivating plot that maintains tension throughout. The reviewer recommends it and finds it to be a great holiday read.

Barb Saffer finds the book to be well-written and engaging, with a plot that keeps the reader interested from start to finish. They appreciate the tension that Blume maintains throughout the story, making it a captivating read. Barb recommends the book, especially as a holiday read, and finds it to be a great choice for those looking for an engaging and well-crafted novel. They also note that the book is a great way to spend a few hours, with its compelling characters and well-paced narrative.

Quick quotes

The book is well-written and held my interest and I'd recommend it.

It's a great holiday read with a captivating plot that maintains tension throughout.

The writing style receives positive feedback, and it's a great choice for those looking for an engaging and well-crafted novel.

Appears in Lists

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