How to Kill a Rock Star

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More About This Book

Overview

Written in her wonderfully honest, edgy, passionate and often hilarious voice, Tiffanie DeBartolo tells the story of Eliza Caelum, a young music journalist, and Paul Hudson, a talented songwriter and lead singer of the band Bananafish. Eliza's reverence for rock is equaled only by Paul's, and the two fall wildly in love.

When Bananafish is signed by a big corporate label, and Paul is on his way to becoming a major rock star, Eliza must make a heartbreaking decision that leads to Paul's sudden disappearance and a surprise knock-your-socks-off ending.

Praise for Tiffanie DeBartolo's God-Shaped Hole

"From highs to heartbreak, DeBartolo conjures an affair to remember."—People

"Honest, raw, and engaging."—Booklist

"This generation's Love Story."—Kirkus Reviews

God-Shaped Hole was a Book Sense Top 10 Paperback Selection.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
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.... [i]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. (Sept.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
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 clich s (particularly the Jesus imagery), music fans will love this gem. Recommended for all public libraries.-Amanda Glasbrenner, New York Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
More Reviews (1) Fewer Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
A rock journalist sacrifices her relationship with a brilliant rock musician when her fear of flying threatens to hold back his career. DeBartolo (The God-Shaped Hole, 2001) treats rock music as high art in this self-important romance. After landing an interview with her idol, legendary rocker Doug Blackman, fledgling journalist Eliza Caelum moves to Manhattan to take a job with a music magazine. She finds herself sharing an apartment with Paul Hudson, lead singer of the band Bananafish, who takes his music very seriously and loves the same Doug Blackman song as she: "The Day I Became a Ghost" (Blackman's no Dylan, or even Dave Mathews.) Soon, Paul and Eliza have fallen deeply in love. Paul's talent begins to bring the band attention both from an independent producer and from a mega-corporate record company. Drawn to the independent, Paul nevertheless signs with the corporate jerks for the sake of his fellow band members' financial interest. Despite his own misgivings about becoming a sellout, Eliza is thrilled for him. He, in turn, proposes marriage and wants her to accompany him on tour. Unfortunately, that would entail flying. Her airplane phobia began when her parents died in a plane crash and intensified after she witnessed the 9/11 attack. Not about to let her unwillingness to fly derail Paul's career, she lets Doug Blackman's son Loring, a handsome mainstream musician (i.e., sellout) with an obvious crush on her, kiss her when she knows Paul will see them. As expected, Paul assumes the worst. He goes on tour alone and sleeps with a groupie. Eliza moves in with Loring while pining for Paul and his pure rock-'n'-roll soul. Paul's album bombs because it isn't commercial enough. Pauland Eliza reunite and make love. Paul commits suicide. Or does he. Either DeBartolo's satire is very subtle or this is the most pretentious novel about rock music ever written.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781402205217
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated
  • Publication date: 9/1/2005
  • Pages: 288
  • Sales rank: 531,939
  • Product dimensions: 5.13 (w) x 8.00 (h) x 1.15 (d)

Meet the Author

Tiffanie DeBartolo is the author of a previous novel, God-Shaped Hole. She also wrote the Columbia Tristar release Dream for an Insomniac. She lives with her husband in Boulder, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 48 )

Rating Distribution

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(40)

4 Star

(7)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 48 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 21, 2012

    Surprising story

    At first I thought it would be a slow read but after the first chapter , it got rolling right along . I loved the story . The music story line was really refreshing and created a linkbetween the characters.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 2, 2012

    Amazing book, amazingly written. I found myself emotionally inve

    Amazing book, amazingly written. I found myself emotionally invested in Paul & Eliza's story and never wanted it to end.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 12, 2012

    On my top five list now

    Awesome story, and very well written.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 26, 2012

    Not worth the time or money

    Another book where the female protagonist makes stupid choices for no good reason. Drugs and sex and a bad name for rock and roll. This book is not reccomended.





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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 20, 2012

    WOW!

    This story was truly an emotional rollercoaster. I found myself so emotionally invested in story & lives of Paul & Eliza. Phenomenal is the word i would best use to describe this book. I look forward to the author's future work.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 11, 2012

    WOW.

    this book was amazing. it makes you go through the whole spectrum of emotions. you laugh, cry, get angry, be smitten. what a terrific book. one of the best i've read. and i've read a LOT.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 2, 2012

    Coolness

    Cool story living in the city being a rockstar and falling in love. Funny, witty, sarcastic all the makings of a good romance set in new york. I recommend

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 20, 2011

    Emotional Heaven

    Emotional Heaven

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  • Posted June 29, 2011

    Another Great One!

    This one isn't as AWESOME as 'A God Shaped Hole', but she def did a great job with this one as well!

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  • Posted December 2, 2010

    awesome

    this book is not as good as god shaped hole, but is great none the less. it made me want to download all the music in the book to get to where eliza and paul were.

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  • Posted October 22, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    THIS IS BY FAR MY FAVORITE BOOK!

    I have always been interested in reading this book after an old friend of mine told me about in the 8th grade. Well two years later I finally purchased it and I'm so belated that I did. I'm into classic rock and I could relate to the views of the characters easily. Eliza and Paul are more romantic then Bella and Edward. I love how the author never held back and she gave us all the facts by giving everyone's point of view. I highly recommend this book! I think I'm going to go read it again. :]

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  • Posted April 9, 2010

    If you loved God Shaped Hole...

    If you loved God Shaped Hole as much as I did, you will love this book just as much. You will scream and cry while reading it, but that's just how great it is! You will more than likely read the entire book in one day because it's impossible to find a good stopping place...if you do stop, you will not be able to concentrate on anything else because the thoughts of this story will be consuming your brain. The overall experience was heightened for me with an iced tea, blistering sun, beach chair, and feet in the sand :)

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  • Posted August 3, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    One of my favorites

    This book is so amazingly written and original. It feels like your watching a movie. The story movies smoothly and the plot thickens drastically. It has mature themes but if you you think you can handle it I will be the last person to stop you!

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  • Posted March 2, 2009

    A+++++++++++++++++!!!

    I loved this book. Tiffanie DeBartolo is such a poet with her words. A must read with a highlighter because some of the lines in this book are so deep that you won't want to forget the page! The romance between Paul and Eliza is great. Paul is so cute you will fall in love with his the first time you read his words. There are so many twists and turns in this book I found myself often yelling at the pages! EVERYONE MUST READ THIS BOOK!!! I read it when I was 17 and I will never forget it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 24, 2008

    what a rockin love story

    How to kill a rock star was a book I picked up because the title jumped out at me. I am so glad that I did, this page turner made me anxious to see what happened next. The rock star Paul brought to mind Jim Morrison'it's too bad his outcome didn't end up like Pauls' or did it'Loved this book so much that I bought God Shaped World, hope it's just as good.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 11, 2008

    life changing

    As an aspiring journalist, and a teenager with a love for music, this book solidified my dreams, and irrevocably changed my beliefs in life, and love, and success, and music. It made me realize that words and art and music can be realized in a way I didn't think possible. That success should not be measured by the money you have in life, but by the enjoyment you get out of what you do. For Paul, all he needed was his guitar and his girl, nothing else. That idea made me realize that all anyone really needs is love and a passion. The setting was perfect for the story, and the characters were raw, and real, and honest. It isn't something that you get very often in a novel, either. It was also a big transition book from the fantasy I more commonly read into the world of realistic fiction and modern-contemporary literature. Definitely worth reading, if not for the music references and the ultimately bohemian love story, then for the honesty, and the pure, unadulterated wit contained in the words written.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 9, 2008

    Read it twice in two weeks

    This book made me want more from Tiffanie DeBartolo! This book is romance with reality. Each character is important and adds value to the story. Very readable and hard to put down (even the second time).

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 28, 2007

    A reviewer

    Im a music freak and the title was enough to catch my interest, this book is so REAL, it gives you everything you look for in a book!! There was a great story line that draws you in and makes you feel what the charactors are feeling... its raw, theres cussing and sexual language, it really gives it to you real no bull$hit she says it like it is, and it just adds more to the book, the love traingles were amazing and i fell in love with both men... Paul has the sex appeal with his COCKY ASS SMILE and the whole 'PAINED ARTIST SOUL' with a deep love for music the makes you see music in a whole new light, and the other man Loring a sweet single dad who has a pure sweet soul that you cant help but love, both guys are very diferent but damn this is a great story!! THE ENDING WILL HAVE YOU ON THE VERGE OF TEARS... ITS EFFING GREAT!! read this book its soooo worth it!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 4, 2007

    A truly excellent book!

    This is the way books are suppose to be written. Eliza and Paul's love story was beautifully written. When a third party gets involved you can't help but feel for all three characters. You won't find any thinly written characters in this book. Everyone's flaws are exposed and you love them all the more for their flaws. I truly cared about the characters. I stayed up late and got up early just to read this book. I can't wait to read everything this author has written!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 18, 2006

    Tiffanie DeBartolo is Brilliant!

    I honestly think I have found my new favorite writer. The only book that rivals How to Kill a Rockstar is her other work of art, God-shaped Hole. Her words are eloquently pieced together to form one of the greatest stories you will ever read. If you like strong female writers telling modern-day love stories, read this and fall in love just as I did.

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