Review: In the Unlikely Event

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a pleasure to return to Judy Blume's clear, detailed, and friendly writing style. I enjoyed how the overwhelming crush of characters in the beginning slowly deliniates and individualizes over the course of the book, into warm, likable people for the most part. And In the Unlikely Event opens up a lost, sweet world of community on the cusp of a new cynicism. However, I kept thinking that Blume wanted to go a little stranger in her storytelling than where she ended up. The book starts to hint at a supernatural/paranormal element, but shies away from entering that with any depth. I got very excited when it started heading that way, and disappointed when it stayed rather familiar and realistic. Miri, the main character, is a nice girl, and the book ultimately follows her down a safe path in her recognizable life. It's not that Miri is dull or boring -- she shows glimmers of self-reliance and strength, and a pleasing matter-of-fact attitude -- but I'm not sure she or her story are groundbreaking, either. Overall, the book was enjoyable, interesting enough, and well-written but not particularly challenging in its approach or themes.