In Chris Heuston's I Hate the Music, self-aggrandizing disc jockey Danni Shaw pursues fame with blindness that yields horrifying and hilarious results.
Danni, who recently turned 40, toils on the midnight shift of Fun FM, a classic rock station that ranks third in Sydney, Australia's radio market. She covets a morning drive-time slot held by two hosts she loathes. Danni thinks her talent, attitude, and music knowledge are what the station needs to lift itself to number one.
The station's management isn't interested in furthering her career or changing the music format. The status quo makes a tidy profit, and that's what matters--something that Danni can't grasp or accept.
In reality, Danni only cares about herself, not the music. Relying on her belief that she's fated for great things, she acts impulsively to achieve her goal of celebrity.
"In the end, Danni's deep-rooted ambition, along with her even deeper-rooted desire for fame (and fortune), drove her to look for alternative methods to unseat the immovable pair."
Danni's tactics land her in prime time at the station, but she finds that fate is a two-edged sword that keeps satisfaction beyond her reach. Nothing she achieves is enough, driving her to more desperate acts involving a music festival, reality television, a game show, and even a siege at Fun FM. However, the joke's always on Danni.
Heuston's exploration of Danni's personality is fascinating. In her mind, because she thinks she is famous and talented, she is. Her narcissism is astounding, and its effects leave a trail of heartbreak. His take on the allure of fame is spot on, but he makes his point through humor rather than tragedy—a deft touch that keeps the novel engaging.
I appreciated Heuston's energetic, concise writing style and realistic dialogue. The plausible, page-turning scenarios of Danni's quest for fame and their outcomes are a delight.
Ultimately, Heuston's novel dissects the cost of celebrity, leaving us to wonder why anyone would trade their soul for fame and fortune. I rate the novel five stars.
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