First published 1974
Danny Stardust climbs toward rock stardom in the gritty music scene of 1970s America. The young musician performs in smoky clubs and chases record deals while battling the pressures that come with success. Danny must navigate relationships with bandmates, lovers, and industry figures who want to use his talent for their own ends. The music business reveals its dark side as Danny struggles with drugs, betrayal, and the cost of ambition. His journey forces him to choose between the fame he craves and the person he wants to remain. The story captures the raw energy of rock music and the human price of celebrity in an era when the counterculture dream was fading into commercial reality.
Genres: american-fiction, 20th-century, music
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, intimate
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: America
Period: 1970s
235 pages · Paperback · Dell
Content warnings: addiction, drug-use