Book Review: Daisy Jones and The Six
Share:
Daisy Jones and The Six is the story of fictional musicians in the seventies. And I very much recommend this book to anyone in a slump or wanting to procrastinate before exams (like me!)
Written in interview snippets we, learn the ups and downs, the good and bad of how the band was formed. There is realism in the details that make you believe you are reading about a real band. I had never read a book in this style before. But the way Taylor Jenkins Reid writes it gives it the feel of watching a documentary whilst reading, the style evoking strong imagery of the 70s.
It gives you more creative freedom as the reader, to decide who is telling the truth – was Eddie being left out? Was Billy a control freak? Is Daisy flighty? There is no objective truth, just memories which made it interesting to read.
I love 70s music – The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and Nina Simone. Every character feels like an artist you have listened to and read about, which was fun to read. It also made it all more heartwrenching and dramatic.
I don’t like all the characters, but for me, that is always the sign of good writing when I have strong feelings about every character, even the minor characters. I will fight all the sleazy managers who try to take advantage of young musicians with dreams.
Recommended Reading: Book Review – If I Never Met You
Then the members of the Six: brothers Billy and Graham, feisty keyboardist Karen, comparative guitarist Eddie and of course, Daisy.
Daisy was perhaps the most complex lead. A girl who grew unloved by her famous parents Her closest friend, Simone (who is an icon in her own right) sees her as someone who just needs support and empowerment as a woman in the world of music. Members of the Six see her as flighty, beautiful, and an addict. But Billy hates her, loves her. They are so alike. Too alike.
Recommended Reading: Book Review – Where the Crawdads Sing
It is no wonder Daisy and Billy write great music together and fight with each other. They are a reflection of one another. Their wants (stability) and flaws (addiction) are the same. Billy is the first man, in Daisy’s words, “Who really saw her.” She was a mess, but he saw the talent. She appreciated his struggles and could see them as clear as day. It’s heartbreaking because they should not
Camille was perhaps my favourite character, She is the grounding force for everyone else, especially for Billy as his wife and the mother of his daughters. But she is no pushover, shown time and time again. Her tough-love approach when it comes to Billy’s addiction, Karen’s love life and Daisy’s spiral is very much needed.
This book is entertaining and interesting with plenty of angsty and exciting moments to keep you reading.
4.5/5