Forever... (novel)
| Forever... | |
|---|---|
 1st edition |
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| Author(s) | Judy Blume |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Young adult |
| Publisher | Bradbury Press |
| Publication date | 1975 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 224 |
| ISBN | ISBN |
Forever... is a 1975 novel by Judy Blume dealing with teenage sexuality. Because of the novel's content it has been the frequent target of censors and appears on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000 at number seven.[1][2][3]
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
Katherine, in the middle of her senior year in high school, finds herself strongly attracted to Michael, a boy she meets at a New Year's party. As their relationship unfolds, the issue of sex comes up early on, more as an emotional and health issue than as a moral one. Both of them are aware that physical intimacy is both common and complicated. Michael has been sexually active, Katherine hasn't. Their relationship progresses slowly; they are accompanied on various meetings by her friend, Erica, a realist, who has known Katherine since 9th grade and believes that sex is a physical act and not a romantic act. They are also joined by Michael's friend, Artie, who, with Erica's help, explores and acknowledges some uncertainty about his own sexuality.
When they do, by mutual consent, have sex on Michael's sister's bedroom floor, they are sure it seals a love that will be "forever." However, separated for the summer by work that takes them to two different states, Katherine finds herself aware of the limitations of the relationship and ultimately attracted to a tennis instructor, Theo, who is older and more experienced in life. She takes responsibility for breaking the news to Michael when he comes on a surprise visit, the summer she knew was over, and Katherine recognizes the loss as a stage in movement towards more complex, probably more satisfying relationships in the future.
[edit] Major Characters
- Katherine Danziger - Protagonist of the book, and who the story is told through the eyes of. She is a senior in high school getting ready for college. She goes by Kath by everyone until she works at a camp over the summer, when others start calling her Kat.
- Michael Wagner - Boy who Katherine meets and falls in love with. He is a senior at another high school nearby.
- Sybil Davidson - Katherine's friend (and Erica's cousin) who later gets pregnant when having loveless intercourse.
- Erica Small - Katherine's realist best friend.
- Jamie Danziger - Katherine's little sister. She is proficient in music, art, and cooking. She is in the seventh grade and looks a lot like Kath.
- Roger Danziger - Katherine's father, a pharmacist who owns two drug stores.
- Diana Danziger (née Gross) - Katherine's mother, a librarian.
- Hallie Gross - Katherine's maternal grandmother, a lawyer and progressive liberal.
- Ivan Gross - Katherine's maternal grandfather, who had previously had a stroke, and would have another one later in the book which would claim his life.
- Artie - A boy who is friends with Katherine and Michael who has questions about his sexuality.
- Theo - An older boy who Katherine inadvertently falls for while working at a camp, which spells the end of her and Michael.
- David - A boy Jamie falls in love with.
[edit] Criticism and controversy
The book is often cited as controversial because of Blume's use of suggestive language, the detailed depiction of sexual intercourse, and because her character Katherine goes on the pill. Criticism of the novel often comes from sexual abstinence groups, as well as religious groups who consider the use of 'the pill' unsuitable for Blume's teenage audience.[4]
Katherine and Michael discuss their feelings carefully before deciding to have sex; when they finally have it, they talk about it thoroughly and obtain contraception from a family planning clinic.[4]
| “ | Judy Blume, an author of books for young readers, caused a scandal in 1975 with Forever... (1975), which is commonly considered the first YA book to deal with teen love and teen pregnancy. Although Bradbury Press infuriated Blume by advertising the book as Blume's first adult book, Forever... is a Young Adult novel; it soon made its way into the teen audience, and is now being read by some preteens.[5] | ” |
Judy Blume considers this book to have had one "odd and lasting side-effect of its popularity"; the decline in the popularity of the name Ralph. Throughout the book, Michael consistently refers to his penis as "Ralph",[4] and the subsequent generation who grew up reading Forever seemed unwilling to consider it as a suitable name for their children. Blume responded to several concerned Ralphs with "I apologize to all of them. It's nothing personal."[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "In recognifion of, alas, banned books", Fahrenheit 451: Banned Books, Pelham Library, 2006-9, http://pelhamlibrary.blogspot.com/2006/09/in-recognition-of-alas-banned-books.html, "Judy Blume Forever Censored?".
- ^ "IL, Elgin: Forever, by Judy Blume, Returned to School Libraris in IL District", YFen, National Coalition Against Censorship, 2002-01-23, http://www.yfen.org/literature/20020123~IL-Elgin~Forever_by_Judy_Blume_Returned_to_School_Libraries_in_IL_District.cfm, "NCAC Applauds Decision To Return Judy Blume's "Forever" To Elgin, Illinois Middle School Libraries' Shelves".
- ^ The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–1999, American Library Association, http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedbydecade/1990_1999/index.cfm.
- ^ a b c d Crown, Sarah (2005-06-08), "Interview: Judy Blume", Unlimited Books, UK: The Guardian, http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/childrenandteens/story/0,,1500565,00.html.
- ^ "Judging a Book by Its Cover: Publishing Trends in Young Adult Literature", Lion and the Unicorn, Project Muse, JHU, http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/lion_and_the_unicorn/v029/29.3yampbell.html.
