My Life, the Theatre, and Other Tragedies

By: Allen Zadoff

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

High school sophomore Adam Zeigler, who lost his father to a sudden accident two years ago, thinks the best way to live life is behind the spotlight. As a member of the theater crew, he believes he's achieved it all when he wins the coveted job of spotlight operator. But that was before a young actress, Summer, appeared in his view. Instantly smitten, Adam is determined to win her over. But to do so, he'll have to defy his best friend and break the golden rule of his school: techies and actors don't mix.

Set against the backdrop of a high school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Zadoff's latest is a bromance, a love story, and theater story in one. The politics of love and high school collide as Adam struggles to find the courage to step out of the shadows and into the light.

©2011 Allen Zadoff (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

I really enjoyed this quick read!

After seeing Allen Zadoff at the Teen Author Carnival earlier this year, I decided I'd like to read something that Mr. Zadoff wrote. When I found our My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies was available in audiobook format, 5.5 hours long, and narrated by one of my favorite voice actors Macleod Andrews - paired with the fact that I had a 5.5 hour drive - I knew this was the one to read. Did I like it? Yes, I did.

It's a bit different from what I normally read - don't get me wrong, I definitely read my fair share of contemporary but this one is set in a place that I'm not familiar with - the theater world. I *did* take Theater Arts I in 9th grade but I absolutely hated it, mainly because I don't like to be on stage - that's probably what made me like Adam and the other techies so much. Adam was a likable guy, though a little socially awkward. And I loved seeing him take the reigns and shine when it was his time. He was humble and willing to do what it took to make the high school production a success, and I admired him for that.

I also love seeing Young Adult books with boys as the main characters, especially coming from a male author. It's interesting to see what teenage boys are thinking about and getting in their brains, if only for 300 or so pages.

Overall, I really enjoyed this quick read and will definitely be reading Allen's latest book, Boy Nobody.

PS - note to the publishers out there, seriously, if Macleod Andrews is the voice actor I will 100% listen to the audiobook. This is the 4th audiobook I've listened to with him as the voice actor. He's amazing.