In the Unlikely
Event
Judy Blume
In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume is a great story that everyone likes and we
are all happy we read. Blume’s strength shines through her perfect
characterizations. Each character comes to life and feels real. Blume is from
Elizabeth, New Jersey and lived through the plane crashes. The historical
aspects of this story were interesting to everyone.
We cannot imagine living in a town
where three planes crash in a 58 day period. Imagine the terror and the feeling
of hopelessness. The plane crashes lead many of us to think of September 11th and
the fear of planes at that time. Many others remember doing atomic bomb drills
and hiding under their desks at school. One member saw a bomb explosion on
television and froze whenever a plane flew overhead. We can understand why Miri
and her schoolmates were so afraid, it does seem like the planes are trying to
kill kids by narrowly missing schools and the orphanage.
There are so many characters but we
love how Blume weaves all their stories together. Each person’s story touches
another’s because of these unlikely events.
Doctor Osner is one of our favorite
characters because he takes care of everyone. He is a stable, caring,
understanding man who wants to take care of everyone. His affair with Rusty did
shock us and we did not see it coming. However, Corinne Osner is such an
unsympathetic character we did not feel for her. We are happy that Rusty and
Dr. O make each other happy.
Miri is a typical teenager. The plane
crashes affect her deeply but she tries not to worry her family with her fears
of future plane crashes. Miri is in love for the first time and has so many
emotions. Blume does an excellent job writing teenagers. Miri is trying to
navigate her increasingly complicated relationship with Natalie.
Natalie is so sensitive and the plane
crashes affect her deeply. We do not fully understand why she believes Ruby is
living inside her, but it is her way of dealing with all that is happening.
Natalie goes on to live an unconventional life which makes sense for her.
Moving to Las Vegas seems sudden and we
did not see this coming. However, we are happy most of the family is together.
Henry moving to Washington DC seems out of character for him because he is so
close to Irene, Rusty, and Miri. However, we know this is how his career will
grow. We all enjoy his close relationship with Miri.
We all enjoy going 35 years in the future to see how
everyone’s lives turn out. We are happy Natalie and Dr. O eventually make up.
Miri forgives Mason and although they are both tempted by each other they
remain faithful to their spouses, which we all appreciate.
