
In the Unlikely Event
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Narrated by:
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Kathleen McInerney
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By:
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Judy Blume
In her highly anticipated new novel, Judy Blume, the New York Times number-one 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 Elizabeth, New Jersey, to attend a commemoration of the worst year of her life. Thirty-five years earlier, when Miri was 15, 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.
“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)
“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)
©2015 Judy Blume (P)2015 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...




















Editorial reviews
Editors Select, June 2015 - What could be better than a Judy Bloom book to kick off the summer? In the Unlikely Event is accessible historical fiction for adults. At its center is a real-life event that occurred in Blume's hometown of Elizabeth NJ in the early 1950s, when not one, but three planes fell from the sky over a three-month period. This is the common thread that ties together a large cast of characters whose stories span generations - each helping to paint a picture of a distinct time and place and of the long-term effect this shared experience has on an entire community. Personal, informative, and heart-warming all at once - In the Unlikely Event is exactly what I hoped from the renowned Judy Bloom! (Tricia, Audible Editor)
Critic reviews
Featured Article: On the Enduring Legacy of Judy Blume
Judy Blume's middle grade and young adult novels have helped raise generations of kids, reshaping the literary landscape for young listeners. Since the 1970s, Blume's writing has contributed to destigmatizing taboo topics like puberty, teen sexuality, masturbation, menstruation, bullying, disability, and more. And now, rather than her books being deemed outdated or no longer relevant to today's kids, we're experiencing a "Blume-aissance."
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Too Close for Comfort
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Would you listen to In the Unlikely Event again? Why?
Yes and read it again. I love Judy BlumeWhat other book might you compare In the Unlikely Event to and why?
It is similar to Judy Blumes other adult novels, but the central events of the 3 plane crashes is a different elementWhich scene was your favorite?
Certainly the end also the description of the 3 crashesIf you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
In the unlikely event----your life will be changed and shaped by these unlikely eventsAny additional comments?
I loved the book I did not love the narrator. She sounded just too young, while many of the characters are teens, the voice lacked gravitas.Judy Blume you don't disappoint
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As far as how I felt about the story, I enjoyed it very much. My only issue is the high number of characters I had to keep track of. Had the book started with the main group of girls, & talked about their friendship with each other, then followed each of the girls home & introduce their family & connections, it probably would've been easier to keep the girls & their families straight.
Learning about the plane crashes through the eyes of a teenager was an awesome approach. I'm sure it reminded adults how differently kids view various events, compared to their parents & other Community members.
For Teenagers as well as Adults!
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Rambling Story
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People would binge watch
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What made the experience of listening to In the Unlikely Event the most enjoyable?
Judy Blume just knows how to engage me, the characters are loveable because they are so human, so deep.What was one of the most memorable moments of In the Unlikely Event?
It took a while to get into this book because there were so many characters introduced, but once it griped me, I was hooked, and raced out to my car every day after work to hear what happened next.Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kathleen McInerney?
Ms. McInerney has a lovely enough voice, what bugged me is that she "acted" all the characters. So grovely voice for the boys, baby voice for the little girl. Really, it's not necessary, just read to me. You don't have to do a one-woman play.If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
No clue.Any additional comments?
Because I found the narration to be so irritating it took me a long time to get into this book, but I'm glad I did, it was well worth it. I might recommend just reading a paper copy unless you have a long commute and are looking for something nice and long to take up your time, in which case, get it!Great story, terrible narration
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Touching
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the only "off:" about the book is the way people, especially those in live spoke to each other. old fashion I know but still sound so corny
nice to read Judy Bloom again
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Still love how Judy Blume tells a story...
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Awesome!
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