Forever

Reader reviewed by Adriana M.

I read "Forever" because it's a YA classic. I don't think you can possibly compare it to the YA fiction that is coming out now, but there are still YA elements that allow it to be shelved in this area in a library (although much of the sexual content is very explicit, which in my mind makes it too racy for some teens).

Katherine is a teen on the brink of adulthood. She's actually on the older side compared to many teens today who lose their virginity at a much younger age. During her senior year and summer before college she meets and falls in love with Michael. At first it seems that he has total control over the relationship, but as the story continues you see Katherine becoming more assertive and in control. She makes her own decisions and even though she is totally in love with Michael, she soon realizes that forever doesn't last as long as she thought.

The writing style lacks depth, although it is very easy to follow and not as dated as you would think (other than the STD and pregnancy concerns, which are addressed in a disclaimer at the beginning of the novel). I wouldn't recommend this book to a teen, unless they are an older teen, and if a younger teen inquires I would ask that their parent read it first so that they can decide if their child is mature enough to handle it.

Reader reviewed by Lisaisbusynerding

in a sentence or two: Katherine is a senior in high school who takes the time to really think through relationships and sex. so when she meets Michael, she will have to decide if and when she is mentally, emotionally, and physically ready for...should she even think the words 'sex' and 'love'?

Katherine and Michael meet at a new years eve party, where he is so immediately interested in her that he comes back the next day for a chance to see her again. their 'weekend only' relationship is tough for the puppy love teenagers. but as they learn more about each other and spend more time together, the pressure for more physical expressions of their relationship start.

throughout the book, we have Katherine and Michael, Katherine's friend Erica and Michael's friend Artie (Artie might be gay, but Erica is determined), and Sybil (the girl who hosted the NYE party and is intimate with far too many guys). Blume takes the time to explore all of these relationships in her story, which creates a diversity and realistic feel. she takes a good look at the journey of first love. the inside cover blurb says that Katherine is in love with love, while Michael is in love with Katherine. i'd say that's a pretty solid analysis, at least for Katherine as the narrator.

i've heard sooooo much buzz about this book, and i think i expected more. now, of course this was written in 1973 so the subject manner (sex) and the way it was dealt with (not scary, but thoughtful) was groundbreaking. i think some of that is lost on me because of the generation i come from, but i still found myself giggling at parts and nodding in understanding at parts. proof that first love and relationships have some undeniable similarities.

at times poorly veiled advice for sexual relationships, at other times insightful, this book was one that kept me thinking after i'd finished. Katherine's family is understanding, supportive, loving, and patient. i think that of all the advice Blume sprinkles in the book - that is the nugget i took out of it. the good news is, there are many nuggets to choose from!

fave quote: "...because I love you too,' I whispered into his chest. Saying it for the first time was the hardest. There"s something so final about it. The second time I sat up and said it right to him. 'I love you, Michael Wagner.' 'Forever?' he asked. 'Forever,' I said." (75)

fix er up: while i know that some people find the idea that Michael calls his weenie Ralph, i find it bizarre and silly goose. there's just something about penis-names that weirds me out.

Reader reviewed by -rosy

This book starts out like an innocent high school romance. But towards the middle of the book, things start getting a little explicit. This book is really only for teens thinking about sex and trying to find true love

Personally, there was too much sex and not enough depth to the book. But I also loved the way Katherine developed as the story went along. Not the best of books, but a good read for anyone curious about sex and HS love.

Reader reviewed by Jennifer

This book starts out with Katherine, a senior in High School, going to a party and meeting Michael. After a few dates they are completely infatuated with each other. They believe they will be together forever...

In this story Katherine and Michael deal with young love and growing up. I thought that this was a good story, but a bit outdated. It was inappropriate for younger readers.

Reader reviewed by Sarah

Forever.... Katherine and Michael, seniors in high school fall for each other and begin having sex. There are explicit descriptions of sex as well as the characters' considerations of VD and pregnancy.

It's honest. EASY read, sort of gives the air that Katherine - the narrator is a little dumb. The middle of the book focused highly on the sex, but the end of the book lent itself more to the actual character of the girl and her issues with the :forever: commitment she thought she had with Michael.

A good book for more mature teens dealing with sex and relationships. I'd have loved more character development, less sex.

Reader reviewed by Kate

Forever is a book that is definitely a little.. explicit? The premise seemed like an okay one, and I had always seen this book on lists of must-reads, so I picked it up at the library. I was expecting something light-hearted and maybe even funny.

I ended up disliking it for a few reasons-- mostly because of the really sexual parts, they were sort of long and got uncomfortable after a while. I felt that the emotions Judy Blume wrote about were very honest and very real. The concept of forever is something that I agree with-- nothing lasts forever! If I could take away one thing from this book, that would be it.

Okay.

Reader reviewed by Ashely

this book was very, very, VERY, intamate. it was surprisingly good though. I think that it was a liitle to vivid, but then again, Judy always does that in her books. I admire her for her courage in writing this book, even though it was a little crude. It was certainly a wierd book.

Reader reviewed by Holly

Forever is a great young adult romance that isn't cheesy! It's a great older book of Judy Blume's and the story of Katherine and Michael's love is joyous, filled with all the wander of "the first time." Although this is a great read, I only recommend this for older teen. (15+)

Reader reviewed by Mariah

I actually just recently read this book for the first time in one of my college classes. I'm surprised that I hadn't read it before, because it seems like just the sort of thing I would have read when I was in middle school.
This book really made me think about when I was in high school. I went through many of the same experiences as Katherine, and I enojyed reading about it from someone else's perspective. Some of the scenes can be a bit detailed when it comes to sex, but it's nothing that I think a younger reader wouldn't understand. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

Reader reviewed by lookwhaticando

This book explors the sexual intamicy that two teenagers have together. It is a very intimate book that details the whole process of having intercourse. This is not meant for kids. I loved it and read it 5 times.