In Judy Blume, journalist and historian Mark Oppenheimer pens a portrait of the author through extensive interviews with Blume herself, access to her papers and correspondence, and analysis of Blume’s novels.
Nuanced ... If Ms. Blume comes across as a woman of contradictions, it’s because Mr. Oppenheimer’s vibrant, authoritative account—drawn from interviews, correspondence, Ms. Blume’s papers and her own extensive commentary on Mr. Oppenheimer’s draft—leaves nothing to the imagination, preventing the reader from filling in gaps with his own simplifying bias.
Thoughtful, thorough ... Oppenheimer shines in placing Blume’s work within the context of children’s books of the time ... Blume gave Oppenheimer long interviews and copious notes, but their relationship seems to have soured at some point. Even the author’s epilogue bears a tone of regret that he couldn’t do better ... He is being too hard on himself.
Even at more than 400 pages, this thoughtful, detailed, and nuanced biography of legendary writer Judy Blume may prompt yearnings that it were even longer ... Oppenheimer’s first biography is engaging, revealing, satisfying, and a fitting tribute.
