PERSONALITY

O'Hagan chronicles the rise and fall of a troubled pop singer in his poignant second novel "inspired to some extent by the lives of several dead performers." Young Maria Tambini has a powerful set of pipes: on Scotland's Isle of Bute, where her grandparents immigrated to escape Mussolini, the shy, winsome girl wows residents and wins numerous local talent contests. At 13, she triumphs on TV and moves to London. But as her career hits the fast track, Tambini begins to lose touch with her family and control of her life. Successful albums and appearances with the likes of Dean Martin, Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett abound ("You are such a talented little person I want to kill you," Cavett says), but Tambini develops a laxative habit and begins both starving herself and vomiting. Soon, hospital visits become a regular part of her routine. O'Hagan introduces a romantic subplot when Maria meets a kind former classmate, Michael, who helps nurse her through her struggles, and the climax features a well-crafted confrontation with a deranged fan who continues to stalk Maria even after her career has peaked. Many of the rags-to-riches music scenes are familiar, but O'Hagan portrays Maria's food problems with grace and compassion (diet soda feels "like a passing shower of rain inside, and harmless, under control, the taste of zero"). The additional story line about the struggles of Maria's mother, Rosa, is more hit-or-miss. This novel is a solid addition to O'Hagan's body of work, but the absence of a truly compelling plot makes it a bit of a disappointment after the critical acclaim for Our Fathers, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. (Aug.)

Forecast:O'Hagan, who was named one of Granta's best young British novelists in January, is gradually becoming better known in the U.S. He is said to be working on a satire of what's wrong with America, which is a sure bet for attention on these shores.