How to Kill a Rock Star

July 25, 2005
DeBartolo looks into the love affair between an aspiring rock journalist and a "spirited maverick" musician in her clunky, earnest sophomore outing (after God-Shaped Hole
). When Eliza moves from Ohio to New York to work for a music magazine, she finds herself rooming with Paul, the lead singer in her brother Michael's band. Paul and Eliza hit it off immediately: both love the same singer/songwriter (who says things like "rock 'n' roll music is a dying man.... t's a man being crucified"), both are orphans, and both think the other is hot stuff. It could be a decent romantic comedy, but DeBartolo aims for drama, and serves up uninspired prose and a skimpy plot. Paul and Eliza fall in love; he writes a song about her ("She is a virgin. She is a whore. She gives it all and I beg for more"); her fear of flying (her parents were killed in a plane crash) gets worse after September 11; Paul, on the brink of megastardom, refuses to tour unless she comes along; she sacrifices their relationship for the sake of his art. Complications (note the title) ensue. This is best read by younger adults, who might be more forgiving of the inelegant writing and the characters' classic concerns of waning adolescence.

September 1, 2005
In her second novel, DeBartolo ("God-Shaped Hole") introduces Eliza Caelum, who moves from Cleveland to New York City in her quest to become a music journalist. Passionate about rock'n'roll, Eliza finds herself in a potentially dangerous situation when she moves in with and falls for Paul, the womanizing lead singer of her brother's band, Bananafish. As their relationship develops and the band gains popularity, Eliza and Paul find themselves frequently enmeshed in conflict. Of course, fame -or near fame and a big advance -isn't all it's cracked up to be. This realization, however, does not come as tritely as it might in someone else's hands. DeBartolo delivers an unpredictable, engaging story with likable characters. Their missteps and ill-advised choices in the name of love and/or rock'n'roll make for an enchanting tale that readers will find difficult to put down. Though there are a few cliché s (particularly the Jesus imagery), music fans will love this gem. Recommended for all public libraries. -Amanda Glasbrenner, New York

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