Gabfest Reads | The Unlikely Rise of Judy Blume

Gabfest Reads | The Unlikely Rise of Judy Blume

Author: Slate Podcasts April 18, 2026 Duration: 40:15

Emily Bazelon talks with journalist Mark Oppenheimer about his new book

Judy Blume: A Life. Oppenheimer, who spent years with Blume’s papers at

Yale and conducted extensive interviews with the author herself, traces

how a restless housewife in New Jersey became one of the most

beloved—and most banned—writers in American history.


They discuss what made Blume’s frank, funny voice so revolutionary for

young readers in the 1970s, the surprisingly progressive household that

shaped her, and the genius of Forever, her landmark novel in which

teenage sex is depicted as pleasurable rather than catastrophic. They

also dig into the scandalous adult novel Wifey, Blume’s dogged

persistence through rejection, and her tireless championing of other

writers’ right to be read.


Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com.

(Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates

otherwise.)


Podcast production by Nina Porzucki.




Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


You're invited to pull up a chair for the kind of candid, inside conversation that happens when the microphones are off. Political Gabfest brings together the sharp minds and wit of Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz, three seasoned journalists who dissect the week's biggest stories in politics and government without the usual formalities. It feels less like a lecture and more like eavesdropping on the insightful, often irreverent talk you'd hear from friends who really know their stuff after a long week in Washington. This Slate Podcasts production has earned a loyal following, even being called out by Stephen Colbert as essential listening and voted a favorite by Apple Podcasts listeners. Each episode breaks down complex issues into understandable, engaging discussions that are as entertaining as they are informative. For those who want to go deeper, a Slate Plus membership unlocks additional weekly content and an ad-free experience. Tune in for a refreshingly human take on the news cycle, where analysis is served with personality and the stakes of governance are explored through genuine dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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