Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes

By: Kathleen West

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Perfect for fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette and Small Admissions, a wry and cleverly observed debut novel about the privileged bubble that is Liston Heights High - the micro-managing parents, the overworked teachers, and the students caught in the middle - and the fallout for each of them when the bubble finally bursts.

When a devoted teacher comes under pressure for her progressive curriculum and a helicopter mom goes viral on social media, two women at odds with each other find themselves in similar predicaments, having to battle back from certain social ruin.

Isobel Johnson has spent her career in Liston Heights sidestepping the community’s high-powered families. But when she receives a threatening voicemail accusing her of anti-Americanism and a liberal agenda, she’s in the spotlight. Meanwhile, Julia Abbott, obsessed with the casting of the school’s winter musical, makes an error in judgment that has far-reaching consequences for her entire family.

Brought together by the sting of public humiliation, Isobel and Julia learn firsthand how entitlement and competition can go too far, thanks to a secret Facebook page created as an outlet for parent grievances. The Liston Heights High student body will need more than a strong sense of school spirit to move past these campus dramas in an engrossing debut novel that addresses parents behaving badly and teenagers speaking up, even against their own families.

©2020 Kathleen West (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A cutting and witty examination of modern parenting that excels in suburban relatability, West's debut novel will pique the curiosity of fans of Maria Semple's Where'd You Go, Bernadette." (Booklist)

"Just as good as Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies." (Kirkus, starred review)

"Helicopter parenting and high school politics at their worst--and funniest. A smart, fast-paced, and deliciously entertaining debut!" (Meg Donohue, USA Today best-selling author of You, Me, and The Sea)

So much deeper than at first expected!

On the surface, this appears to be a light, rather satirical view of a privileged community and the school located there. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that the author has so much more to impart. She has created multi-faceted characters, The kind of people we have all encountered in our every day lives. Their trials and tribulations, hopes and dreams, echo those of every person existing in the world today. This is a poignant, powerful story, one I am eager for the world to embrace.

Good read.

I loved it! At first it was hard to keep up with everyone but once I got them all down I loved it! such a good little story!

Narrator makes up for a very mundane plotline

The exceptionally talented Julia Whelan does a phenomenal job narrating the boring day to day drama of a typical helicopter mom, a tenured liberal teacher, and a fresh faced new teacher of an upper middle class high school. The book takes place in a predictable and stereotypical western Minneapolis suburb with a focus on the town’s private/charter high school’s drama department. Ironically, the book lacks significant drama and with only a few slight plot twists, it was difficult to continue to the following chapter. Saved by Whelan’s talent and expression, this book is a straight up snoozer with a very LITERAL title.

I did enjoy the attention to detail from the author in regards to the different social media platforms and just how ridiculous they have become and how pivotal of a role they play in modern society.

Fun!

This was such a fun listen! I devoured it within 24 hrs. As a former teacher, I recognized a lot of the characters. The author did a good job of making each character's voice unique and clear; it was even easy to empathize with the "bad" guys in the story. I would say this has a similar feel to Big Little Lies, but just lighter.

Loved!

Must read for fans of Big Little Lies. Though there is no murder here, I loved the author’s use of the different points of views.

Moms Behaving Badly

With multi layers, entertaining characters, insightful social commentary and sharp-witted dialogue this was a really SOLID satisfying read. The narration was perfect, Julia Whelan is always on point!! If you’re looking for a “smart”ish escape, this one is such FUN!!!!

Definitely enjoyed it

Light read. This performer is my favorite....she could read me some economics book and I'd love it. Its a good story.

Awful adults, great kids

Audible listen. The wonderful narrator Julia Whelan elevates every book she reads.

Parents and teachers behaving badly. Nearly every adult in MINOR DRAMAS & OTHER CATASTROPHES is awful and the ones who aren’t terrible are only slightly above average. The kids behave more maturely than the adults, and they made the book listenable.

I had empathy for Isobel, she didn’t push the envelope beyond what a good English teacher would, though I can see why the heads helicopter parents would explode. I’d want my child to be taught by an Isobel.

MINOR DRAMAS & OTHER CATASTROPHES is an above average story only IF you have a high tolerance for privileges characters behaving badly.

Delightful take on overzealous parents!

A fun easy read. Chapters are laid out by person. Very easy to follow. A fun and intriguing plot, ties in real high school experiences and what high school looks like with Instagram and Facebook. I’d you’ve ever had a teenager in high school, you’ll find this fun and entertaining! A great narrator. Each person has a different voice.

Hit close to home!

Well written and believable storyline, kept my attention with great narration. I’ll be recommending to a few friends who may see themselves in the characters!