A controversial teen classic? (Forever - Judy Blume)

Member Name: Trix1212

Product:	Forever - Judy Blume
Date:	06/05/09 (135 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Openly and frankly explores many tenage 'issues'

Disadvantages: Dated and a little over preachy

First published in 1975, Forever has become one of the most well known books by teen author Judy Blume, due to the ongoing controversy surrounding it. Well known as an author who tackles teen 'issues' in her books, Blume here approaches the issues surrounding teen sex with frank openness and honesty. Even now, when sex has become a common theme of teen books, Forever stands out as being explicit and often bears warnings regarding its suitability for younger readers.

The story is simple - seventeen year old Katherine meets Michael at a party and loses her virginity to him, sure that their love will last forever. As they begin to prepare for college and inevitable separation looms they find themselves with some life changing decisions to be made if they want to stay together but is their first love really going to last forever?

I must admit I was less than impressed by this book as a story - the characters are boring and hardly noticeable and the plot predictable and over simplistic. Katherine is nice to the point of being goody-goody and her openness with her parents comes across as a little false at times.

It did however, do what it said on the tin. Contraception, unwanted pregnancy, impotence, alcohol, jealousy - it's all here. The attitude to sex is somewhat dated - for example Katherine (in her ultra sensible way) goes to a family planning meeting and begins taking the pill - as an alternative to condoms. At the time it was written pregnancy was the main fear of teenagers rather than STDs and the character attitudes reflect this. Michael even admits to having had VD from a previous girlfriend, its just not seen as a big deal.

There is a small introductory page in the newer edition of the book which explains how things have changed and impressing very strongly on the reader that your health and safety are your responsibility and to be careful, etc... As an 'educational' book with a decent message this is ok but it sometimes feels that that's all it is - the strong 'messages' take precedence over the story and this spoils it. There are better books out there, both for readers wanting a good story and parents wanting to give their teen children something to think about. I can see why Forever is controversial, I understand that I has something important to say but, overall, I wouldn't really recommend it.

Summary: Perhaps its time for a new 'classic'...