Superstars (Ann Scott novel)

Infobox Book
name = Superstars
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Cover of "Superstars"
author = Ann Scott
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = France
language = French
series =
subject =
genre = Fiction
publisher = Flammarion
release_date = November 19, 2000
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardcover)
pages = 310
isbn = ISBN 9-782080-678379
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Superstars", published in France in 2000 by Flammarion and translated in several languages, is the second novel by Ann Scott. Relating the tales of the techno culture emerging in France and in Europe in the late nineties, this pop novel instantly gave it’s author a cult status. [ By French writer and book critic Frédéric Beigbeder in the TV show "Rive Droite Rive Gauche" and later most of the french press stated the same, including Le Monde, 20th august 2005)]

Plot summary

This novel, set in Paris, portrays the economically bleak and emotionally taut lives of three roommates craving for artistic recognition and fame. Evolving in the trends of glamorous parties, borderline sex and designer drugs, Louise, the main character, just turned thirty, is facing an identity crisis. Now working as a techno deejay and a producer, she used to be a bass player for rock bands. Entering the world of electronic music and raves, she also became bisexual. Now she's wondering where this is all leading her.

Literary significance

An entire generation found itself represented in these dilemas of heterosexual vs bisexual identity and rock vs techno tastes. [ [http://www.cairn.info/article.php?ID_REVUE=SOC&ID_NUMPUBLIE=SOC_072&ID_ARTICLE=SOC_072_0009 Cairn - X-tazy roomulatortm rave on experience (extraits de « superstars ») ] ]

This novel pays a tribute to seventies rock musicians such as The Rolling Stones, eighties punk musicians such as Johnny Thunders or The Ramones, and worldwide known deejays such as Jeff Mills, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, DJ Rush. It also pays tribute to french female deejay DJ Sextoy who died in 2002. [ [http://infos.tetu.com/rubrique/infos/infos_detail.php?id_news=3606&date_info=2002-02-08/ Disparition de DJ SexToy ] ]

It's pop content of music, arts, fashion, sex and drugs turned it into a bestseller in France.

The novel was criticized by some gay and lesbians associations in France who felt that Ann Scott was depicting a very ironic portrait of gay behaviors and gay people in general. Ann Scott declared that being bisexual brings some kind of balance to her life, but that the gay relationships she's been in were all rather pathological for her. [See "Nova Magazine", February 2001]

A movie is on the way.

Footnotes

Editions

* Hardback : Editions Flammarion, october 2000 (ISBN 9-782080-678379)
* Paperback : Editions J'ai lu, april 2002 (ISBN 9-785590-351673)