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.

Critic reviews

"A wry, engaging debut."--People magazine, on Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes

More praise for Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes

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

"Fans of Where'd You Go Bernadette will flip for this clever, drama filled debut novel."--Woman's World

"A smart and delightful story of entitlement, friendship, and overparenting, with page-turning twists galore. West writes across lines of class and generation with grace and ease. A big-hearted debut."--Bruce Holsinger, author of The Gifted School

"As intriguing as it is timely. West provides a funny and shocking glimpse into American parenting through the lens of an out-of-control stage mother who has lost all sense of boundaries."--Amy Poeppel, author of Limelight

"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

"Helicopter parenting and high school politics at their worst--and funniest. A smart, fast-paced, and deliciously entertaining debut!"--Meg Donohue, USA Today bestselling 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!

Great pace, never dull

Enjoyed the fast pace and witty story line. Fun read. It's clever & very engaging

A reflection of my experience

This story reminded me that I am not alone in my experience as a high school teacher. I quit because of intrusive parents, inept administration, and a rampant culture of "teaching to the test." At many points in this novel, my jaw dropped at the similarities. Perhaps this is not the deepest exploration of the human experience, but it made me feel heard. Julia Whelan is a masterful narrator as well. My only complaint is the clunky sentences with too many details and adjectives. Someone should tell the author that she need not be so descriptive.

No, Ms Whelan can not just read a Phone book to Me

Thank heavens this was a $5 sale book. I am going to have to try this at another time, as I have restarted this a couple of times and still can not get into the rhythm of it. Thank goodness,the chapter menu had the names of the characters. If you set it on the that you can zone out a bit and check who is providing thoughtful insight. As I do not have kids and I am not accustomed to today’s thinking teenagers or so called helicopter mom’s, this book narrative is escaping me. At least the young man involved in the school play drama realizes his mother has the “attention of a hamster “. Of course I am a newly minted Ms Whelan fan so when her reads are on sale, I take a chance on the author. This story is a satire on the kids lives today when a parent goes too far out of bounds . I have found Ms Whelan has her own style which is very appealing per her fans, but now I am starting to figure out, no reading a phone book to me is not going to cut it. Check out her read of Delicious and Girl Underwater. Flat out was also a very well done book.
Were my comments of help?