In the Unlikely Event

By: Judy Blume

Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

The new adult novel from the beloved and best-selling author Judy Blume.

When a series of passenger airplanes crashed in Elizabeth, New Jersey, within a three-month period in 1951-1952, Judy Blume was a teenager. "These events have lingered in my mind ever since," says Blume. "It was a crazy time. We were witnessing things that were incomprehensible to us as teenagers. Was it sabotage? An alien invasion? No one knew, and people were understandably terrified." Against this background, Blume uses her imagination to bring us the lives of three generations of families, friends, and strangers, who will be profoundly affected by these events, either directly or indirectly. But life goes on, and Blume digs deep into her characters - we see them coping not only with grief but with first love, estranged parents, difficult friendships, familial obligations, divorce, career ambitions, a grandparent's love, a widower's hope, and everything in between.... Most important, In the Unlikely Event is filled with the same warmth and authenticity that have won Blume the hearts and minds of listeners of all generations.

©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)

Teen Writing & Narration

I am new to Judy Blume's writing and took a chance with this book. I know she usually writes for a child and/or teen audience. All of the 5 star positive reviews here made me decide to give this "adult" entry a try. That was a mistake. After listening for several hours I found that I could not go on. The book was adolescent and totally geared towards teen listeners. I found the narration childish, cloyingly sweet, sing song and grating. Can't recommend unless you are a fan of teen books and narration.

43 of 56 people found this review helpful

New meaning to term:"HOPE FOR BEST,PLAN FOR WORST"

Would you consider the audio edition of In the Unlikely Event to be better than the print version?
NO. THIS WAS ONE BOOK THAT I APPRECIATED MORE IN THE WRITTEN VERSION. I PAYED MUCH CLOSER ATTENTION WHEN READING, AND AFTER COMPLETING I'M SO GLAD I DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THIS AMAZING (PART BIO, PART FICTION) TRAIL BLAZER OF A BOOK.! TREMENDOUS PLOT, AND BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN. WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING!

What other book might you compare In the Unlikely Event to and why?
A BOOK THAT COMES IMMEDIATELY TO MIND AS A GREAT EXAMPLE IN WHICH STRONG COMPARISONS CAN EASILY BE MADE TO: "IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT" IS PHILIP ROTH'S: "NEMESIS". IT IS A NOVEL ABOUT THE POLIO EPIDEMIC OUTBREAK, & THE LIMITATIONS CAUSED BY THE FACT THAT NO ONE KNEW WHAT TO DO, (OR IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE) TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND CHILDREN FROM CONTRACTING THIS KILLER. JEWS BLAMING CATHOLICS AND VICE VERSA. HENCE, THE FINGER POINTING THREAD BETWEEN BOTH NOVELS. PEOPLE DESPERATELY NEEDED/WANTED TO KNOW WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING AND WANT ANSWERS YESTERDAY!!!SAME GOES FOR:"IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT" NO ONE KNEW HOW TO STOP, NOR WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PLANE CRASHES, POINTING FINGERS WAS COMMONPLACE, AS PEOPLE NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND "WHY" IT WAS HAPPENING, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHY IT WAS HAPPENING TO THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, ETCETERA... HUMAN NATURE AT ITS BEST

Which character – as performed by Kathleen McInerney – was your favorite?
THE PROTAGONIST LITTLE GIRL, WHO LIVES WITH MOM AND HER GRANDMOTHER, WAS MY FAV. CHARACTER. SHE IS THE ONE PERSON I GOT A SENSE AS DEMONSTRATING A REAL AUTHENTICITY.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
"ONCE BURNED, TWICE SHY." CHOSE THIS BECAUSE IT IS A FAMOUS MANTRA. THE CHARACTERS WOULD HAVE BENEFITED FROM IT'S STRENGTH IN THEY WERE AWARE OF/APPLY TO THEIR DAILY LIVES.

Any additional comments?
FAVORITE JUDY BLUME BOOK EVER! THIS BOOK IS NOT A PRE-TEEN, TEEN OR RACY ADULT BOOK EASY FOR CHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND, YET WRITTEN FOR ADULTS ENJOY AND HOPE OTHERS ENJOY(ED) AS MUCH AS I.

11 of 14 people found this review helpful

Touching

So nostalgic of the 1950's. it was like a time warp to the past.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

My first Audio Book

What did you love best about In the Unlikely Event?

This is my first audio book and I enjoyed having someone read to my while on my walks and while I drive.I liked that the plane crashes were based on actual events. And how Judy Blume tied her childhood memories into this book.. A good story line!

What does Kathleen McInerney bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoyed Kathleen as a narrater. I will look for more narrations done by her.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

In the unlikely event you fall in love with this book

I remember Judy Blume books growing up so I had to download this at the first chance I got. Good storyline and I cannot imagine growing up with 3 plane crashes in my town let alone 1, could you imagine if that happened today? There would be riots.

I really enjoyed the narrator Kathleen she gave a voice to every character and I'm going to download another book right now that she narrates.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Another solid story from Judy Blume

As an avid fan of Judy Blume's books since I was a child, I can fairly state Judy's works are imperfect, in my very humble opinion, but engaging. The intricacy with which she weaves so many characters in this book is outstanding. The slight downside is, because there are so many characters, most are not as fully developed as I think they should be. I also feel like the end is a little too neat.

The performance was wonderful and definitely added to the excitement of listening to the story. I recommend this book to anyone who is a tween or older. I also think it's fun to hear about specific places in New Jersey I recall as a child, but was not yet born during this time period. It's a great read when you want something to take your mind away from the world.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Gripping & heart wrenching

I've not read Judy Blume before. This is so well written with complex character relationships, as well as a view into the cultural norms of post WWII families. I can't imagine how difficult it was for Ms. Blume to write this story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

loved it

Took a while to get into, but it's an engaging read with complex characterization. Didn't want to put it down.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Submerge yourself in another time

Totally engrossing story and then to find out that this is based on true events makes you want to research afterwards. Love Merri and Blume totally wraps up the story in a satisfying way for the reader.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful