In the Unlikely Event

By: Judy Blume

Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

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 Audio

Critic reviews

"Characteristically accessible, frequently charming, and always deeply human." ( Publishers Weekly)

"Narrator Kathleen McInerney creates a vibrant audio version of the interlocked lives, families, and generations in Judy Blume's arresting, sometimes harrowing, new novel.... McInerney's vocal technique is marvelously flexible..." ( AudioFile)

Too Close for Comfort

The Audible office is close enough to Newark airport that this story occasionally hit a little too close to home. I do love Judy Blume though, and it's such a treat to have a new book from her. The story and performance definitely kept my attention (and made a long dentist appointment much more enjoyable).

Judy Blume you don't disappoint

Would you listen to In the Unlikely Event again? Why?

Yes and read it again. I love Judy Blume

What 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 element

Which scene was your favorite?

Certainly the end also the description of the 3 crashes

If 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 events

Any 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.

For Teenagers as well as Adults!

I can understand why some reviewers complained that this book is not just for adults. However, I can also see why this book might be classified as adults only! Having children with anxiety disorders, I am aware how tragedies can affect children & create anxiety's, either from hearing about a real occurrence, watching a movie, or from a book. Although this book is basically told from a 15 y.o. girls' perspective, it is centered around the 3 airplane crashes, that happened in less than 90 days, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1951-1952. My 19 y.o. would've had a lot of anxiety about airplane crashes if she read this book at 15 y.o. If she listened or read this book now, I'm sure she'd have increased anxiety whenever my husband has to fly somewhere for business. Every person is different, and erring on the cautious side, for the rating, was a smart idea, IMO!

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.

Rambling Story

I liked the idea behind the book but not the execution. I agree that the author has a gift when writing about young love but it wasn't enough to redeem this story. There were too many characters and most were not fully developed. Also, the characters were unpredictable and for some, their stories had no true resolution. It was just sad - the events, the choices of most of the characters, and the ending.

People would binge watch

Interesting ! But slow! And little action. Really a young adult novel. But so sweet and would make an entertaining tv show where characters could develop more clearly

Great story, terrible narration

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 book with lots of detail

This was a great book. Can't wait to listen to it again. A lot of information and great characters

Annoying narration

The narrator's cheery delivery and little girl voices were a constant distraction for me. I kept asking myself who the intended audience is for this book as the author does seem to keep straying back towards her young-adult fiction roots - the voice did not do the novel any favours.

Good story. Characters very well done.

Really enjoyed listening to this book. The characters are many, but all so effectively developed. Recognized so much of my own parents' reminisces & a bit of my own. Thank you.

Good story

Good story, likable characters. Enjoyed it!! Narrator clear and easy to understand. Based on actual event.
Nice description of life in the 50s