Forever...

Forever... is a 1975 young adult novel by Judy Blume. The novel tells the story of 18-year-old Katherine’s sexual awakening and relationship with her first love, Michael. The novel follows their relationship as it evolves and ultimately ends in the months leading up to college. Forever... has been celebrated for its honest and healthy depiction of teenage sexuality and banned in some schools and libraries for its explicit sexual content. Important themes include the Exploration of Sexual Identity, The Challenges of First Love, and How Perspectives on Love Change as people grow up. Forever… is the 1996 Winner of the ALA Margaret A. Edwards Award for Outstanding Literature for Young Adults.

Content Warning: Readers should be aware that this text contains sexual content.

Plot Summary

Protagonist Katherine Danziger meets Michael Wagner at her friend Sybil’s New Year’s Eve party. Later, Katherine and Michael begin dating, but as attracted as Katherine is to Michael, she does not want to rush the physical side of their relationship because she believes sex should be special and saved for someone she truly loves.

Katherine attempts to set up Michael’s friend, Artie, with her best friend, Erica. The two get along, but Erica worries that Artie may be gay or otherwise uninterested in her. She resolves to help him figure out his sexuality. After attending Artie’s school play, Michael and Katherine have their first fight over Katherine’s jealousy of another girl at the party. They decide to be honest with each other moving forward to avoid conflict and misunderstandings. That night, Michael tries to convince Katherine to have sex with him in her parents’ den, but Katherine declines; she is not quite ready yet.

Michael invites Katherine to his sister’s ski house over Presidents’ Day weekend. Her father reveals his hesitation over Katherine beginning a sexual relationship with Michael. Ultimately, her parents decide to let her go. During their ski trip, their sexual relationship evolves. Michael introduces her to his penis, “Ralph,” and Katherine learns about how to pleasure Michael and receive pleasure herself. They also tell each other that they love each other for the first time. Katherine feels increasingly ready to have sex with Michael.

When Katherine returns home from the ski trip, her parents articulate their desire that Katherine not settle down too quickly with Michael. They refuse Katherine’s request to apply to colleges in Vermont, where Michael has applied, and share their experiences with first love to show Katherine that she does not need to be with Michael forever.

Michael and Katherine have sex for the first time at Michael’s sister’s apartment. Michael orgasms quickly, and Katherine cannot help but feel that her first time was less than perfect. Regardless, Katherine is grateful that her first time having sex was with someone she truly loves.

Katherine’s mother tells Katherine that she will not forbid her from having sex but encourages Katherine to make responsible decisions. Katherine’s grandmother, who financially supports Planned Parenthood of New York City, mails her informational pamphlets about sex and pregnancy prevention. Katherine makes an appointment at the Planned Parenthood of New York City office and is prescribed birth control pills.

Michael gives Katherine a necklace with her name inscribed on one side and “Forever…Michael” inscribed on the other. Michael and Katherine go to his house and have sex. This time Katherine achieves orgasm.

As the spring wears on, Katherine struggles to find summer employment. Erica reveals that Sybil is pregnant, due in July, and that she plans to place the baby with an adoptive family. In April, Katherine’s father informs her that she will work as a tennis instructor at Jamie's summer camp in New Hampshire. Katherine is furious that her father would have accepted a job on her behalf and worries about spending the summer away from Michael.

That evening, Katherine, Michael, Erica, and Artie celebrate Michael’s birthday at Erica’s house. Artie is depressed, commenting multiple times that their lives are almost over now that they are turning 18. Katherine and Michael retreat to a guest bedroom to have sex, and Katherine tells Michael about her summer job. Michael then reveals that he, too, has found a summer job at his uncle’s lumber yard in North Carolina. Katherine is angry that Michael has not shared this information with her earlier, and the two argue.

When the boys leave, Erica tells Katherine that while she and Michael were having sex, Artie locked himself in Erica’s bathroom and threatened to kill himself. Erica says she broke up with Artie as she can no longer try to help him figure out his problems. Artie’s parents send him to a psychiatric hospital, after Artie’s suicide attempt on Michael’s birthday. Both Michael and Erica blame themselves for Artie’s actions.

June arrives, and Sybil gives birth two weeks early. The friends visit Sybil at the hospital, where she is hopeful her daughter will have a good life with her adoptive parents. Sybil will attend Smith College in the fall and will get an IUD.

Katherine and Michael attend each other’s graduation ceremonies and take one last trip to Erica’s family’s beach house before leaving for their summer jobs. Katherine and Michael write frequent letters to each other proclaiming their ongoing love. Katherine also writes letters to Erica and her parents, telling them about camp and her co-counselors, including the head tennis instructor, Theo.

Katherine becomes friends with Theo, and it’s increasingly difficult for her to deny their growing attraction for one another. Katherine even has a sexual dream about Theo one night, and she questions whether she wants to be with Michael forever.

One night, Katherine receives a call from her parents, who inform her that her grandfather has died. Theo consoles her, and they kiss briefly. Katherine writes to Michael about her grandfather’s death, and Michael writes back multiple times. Katherine does not respond because she feels so guilty about her feelings for Theo, who tells her that he wants to see her again after camp ends. Katherine begins a response to Michael, explaining that she thinks she still loves him, but something has changed: She has feelings for someone else, and she does not know what to do. Unable to send the letter, Katherine rips it up instead.

After receiving no reply from Katherine, Michael flies to New Hampshire to surprise her. Katherine and Michael go to dinner, but Katherine knows that she must soon address her unresolved feelings. They return to Michael’s motel room and try to have sex, but Katherine stops Michael, telling him that they need to talk. She tries her best to explain her feelings for Theo. They argue and decide to break up. Katherine tries to return her necklace, but Michael insists she keep it.

Katherine sees Michael one more time before leaving for college, and they make small talk at a local drugstore. Katherine wishes she could tell Michael that she will never regret their time together, that part of her will always love him, and that things may have been different between them if they had met 10 years later. At home, Katherine’s mother tells her that Theo called while she was out.