This Rogers Park Author Combined Wuthering Heights And Ice Dancing Into A Bestseller

Layne Fargo's "The Favorites," which creatively intertwines ice dancing with elements from "Wuthering Heights," has emerged as a summer bestseller. The narrative follows ice dancers Katarina and Heath through their tumultuous journey toward Olympic gold amidst personal and professional challenges. Fargo, a Rogers Park author and devoted Olympics fan, was inspired by the public intrigue surrounding ice dancers like Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, particularly during the 2018 Winter Games. Despite initial skepticism from her publisher regarding the book's niche subject, the manuscript quickly attracted attention and sold within a week of submission. Released in January, "The Favorites" became a USA Today bestseller in February and was recently released in paperback.

The novel is also nominated for a fiction award from the Chicago Review of Books, highlighting its local significance. Fargo mentioned that the book has been optioned for adaptation, suggesting its potential for a broader audience. With themes of obsession and competition, "The Favorites" resonates with readers beyond the realm of ice dancing.