For the past year or so, I’ve been making a conscious effort to read more. When I was younger, I read all the time: a handful of books a year. As I got older however, that number dwindled down to more like one or two a year. Some of this was due to a struggle to find books I was interested in, but most of it was because I failed to set proper time aside for reading.
My most recent milestone on this journey, 2019’s “Daisy Jones and the Six,” was the best resolution to both of these issues that I’ve found all year; its engaging narrative and unique execution captivated me to the point of wanting to set aside time to continue reading. I say with all earnest that it is one of the best books I’ve read in my adult life.
The book follows the journey of its namesake, fictional rock band “Daisy Jones and the Six,” as they rise to fame in the 1970’s. When solo artist Daisy Jones is tapped to collaborate with up and coming rock band “The Six,” her and frontman Billy Dunne are forced to facilitate a cohesive collaboration, which initially seems impossible due to their differing styles and approaches. However, as they uncover more about each other and their similarities, they form a connection that produces career defining songs as well as palpable romantic feelings, which both attempt to suppress as Billy is already married with children. As the group gains traction, the tension between Billy and Daisy becomes a matter of public interest, creating further turbulence between them as well as within the band.
Author Taylor Jenkins Reid has stated that the book and its events are loosely inspired by the story of Fleetwood Mac, a real rock band that rose to fame in the 1970s.
The story is conveyed through retrospective interviews with band members and associates: transcriptions sliced together that relay the whole story. At first, I was wary of how I would take to this different style of storytelling, unsure whether or not I would like it. However, I got used to it and even began to admire the style rather quickly. The added layer of individual perspective and retrospection elevated the story and its content greatly, more so than if it were written in the present tense or with only one narrator.
My favorite element of this style was the opportunities it provided to read between the lines of what characters expressed, as well as the sense of uncertainty it created regarding the true facts of the story. Accounts of events often contradict each other in a way that feels purposely facilitated by the author, creating a fascinating commentary about the nature of perspective and the role time often plays in it. Piecing together the journey of Billy and Daisy’s relationship is engaging, as readers are encouraged to analyze context and think critically in order to infer the true sentiments behind expressions.
The cohesion of fact and fiction creates a vivid world that feels true to the 1970’s rock scene while remaining fresh and new. The classic rise and fall story structure finds new life in an expertly woven web of tumultuous relationships and circumstances. Conflicts between other band members hold their own dramatically– just as well as those between Billy and Daisy. All of the characters feel vibrant, layered and three dimensional, further aiding in the drama of their conflicts and the engagement of the story.
If you have any interest in music history, I cannot recommend this book enough. As someone who has read actual music biographies, I would easily say reading this is way more fun, as there is no element of author bias and authenticity to get caught up on. It’s all fake, so it doesn’t matter. Even if you’re not particularly interested in music history or the 1970s, I still recommend this book for its expert exploration of conflict and drama, something almost anyone can get behind. I haven’t felt encouraged to finish a book as quickly as I did this one in years. As I continue my reading journey, I’m confident this book will stick with me and remain a shining example of a good book’s power to invigorate and stimulate.
