Jodie Sadowsky
@josadowsky · 0:49
Atlantic Writer Amy Weiss-Mayer on her April 2023 Story Judy Blume Goes All the Way
In the story you talk about your time you spent with Judy at her home in key west and the tea towel you spotted that said, I go all the way. You couldn't have known you would be so lucky to find that caption in her home. So I'm wondering, what was your original vision for this story, and how did you end up visiting Judy at her home?
So that became the more immediate reason for writing this story now, which is that Bloom's arguably most famous book is being adapted to a movie that's coming out in April. And I got in touch with Bloom and her assistants and asked if I could talk to her in person, because it's always better to do an interview in person when you're trying to understand who someone is and where they come from and what kind of kitchen towels they have
Jodie Sadowsky
@josadowsky · 0:38
But I'm guessing that visiting her in the Keys makes it even better. You mentioned some really sweet moments in your piece about Judy worrying about your travel plans and encouraging you to wear a sun hat. Can you tell us more about your trip and what it was like to spend time together?
I think George was also a good partner in Amy interviewing process because he would prompt Judy to tell certain stories or keep going if he didn't think she gave enough detail, and he shared some really great stories as well over the few days that I was there. The two of them also have such a strong community in Key West and are so involved in the arts and culture scene there. They co founded this nonprofit bookstore, books and Books, at the studios in Key West
Jodie Sadowsky
@josadowsky · 0:41
Oh, my gosh, Amy, those really are fantastic stories. I was sorry to read in your piece that Judy thinks she's likely done writing, because I was really hoping for a memoir by her with all these colorful stories. But your article gate certainly gave us lots of insight into many stages of Judy's life and the inspiration for many of her works. And next month, we'll be able to see the lionsgate film adaptation of one of her most famous books, are you their God?
And I know you mentioned, Jody, that you and your kids listen to the Fudge books on audio, which I think Judy herself reads. So that could also be a fun option to listen to those, although I've I've never had the pleasure myself. There's also starring Sally J. Friedman as herself, which is really Bloom's most autobiographical novel and takes place in Miami Beach in the 40s, based on a very similar interlude in Bloom's life when she was a kid
Jodie Sadowsky
@josadowsky · 0:55
You. That's a super list, Amy. Thank you. I don't actually remember starting Sally j. Friedman, so I think I'll start there. And I have a nine year old daughter that I'm excited to read most of these books with. I know you spoke about book bands with Judy
I think above all, it seemed to me like Judy sees the current move to ban books in school libraries and public libraries across the country as sort of a continuation, but also an amplification of the previous movements to do so, most notably in the 80s when you had the Moral Majority active in national politics. X she she said explicitly, you know, that she feels like we're living in the 80s again, and except this time it's to an extreme
Jodie Sadowsky
@josadowsky · 0:49
And it's not only for authors, right? It's for parents and students who can speak to their board of ed, who can be outspoken on social media, who can let their senators and legislators know that they're opposed to government actors being involved in book selection for school
Jodie Sadowsky
@josadowsky · 0:16
It. Thank you so much, amy, for having this conversation with me and for spending so much time with judy and letting us all in a little bit on her life in key west. It's awesome. I can't wait to see the movie. And thank you again