ONE NIGHT ONLY

A troubled rock star struggles with the double whammy of drug addiction and cancer in Knudsen’s novel.

On the night of what’s supposed to be her last show ever, struggling musician Sky Black runs into a 17-year-old boy named Sam behind Vancouver’s Imperial Theatre, in an alleyway home to “the destitute and addicted.” Though she already has plenty to deal with—an agonizing pain in her throat, the impending end of her career, and a heartbreak she can’t shake—Sky, three years into addiction recovery herself, sees something in Sam and invites him to watch the show. As it turns out, Sam isn’t the only unexpected guest that night: Rod Birk, an executive from Space Monkey Records, stops by and is immediately captivated by Sky’s performance. Birk rushes to sign her to the label, injecting new life into her career. Sam, who happens to be a talented guitarist, joins Sky’s band and is swept up in the excitement. Sky even begins to reconnect with Joe, her ex-boyfriend and former bandmate. But just as everything seems to be falling into place for her, she’s diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. Against medical advice, she refuses treatment in order to keep performing. The pain and stress of her condition, coupled with the ceaseless demands of her newfound stardom, push her ever closer to her previous excesses. Knudsen’s novel is tense and unrelenting; the author masterfully creates an immersive, claustrophobic atmosphere as Sky’s health, relationships, and sense of self become increasingly strained. Sky remains a likable, if flawed, protagonist throughout, and readers will find themselves rooting for her even as she makes questionable decisions. Though the story is engaging, however, it’s not particularly innovative—the plot is fairly formulaic, and the supporting characters, namely Sam and Joe, are underdeveloped. In trying to incorporate both of their storylines, Knudsen falls short in affording either ample attention, lessening their emotional impact.

An overstuffed but absorbing novel about the price of fame.