“I am the somebody” A Daisy Jones and The Six Review:

  

     “Men often think they deserve a sticker for treating women like people.” Page 29

Taylor Jenkins Reid is the master of writing riveting stories with complex characters and profound passages, this book was no exception.

Daisy Jones and The Six is an enigmatic novel about a band's rise to fame during the mid sixties - late seventies. This book goes through how Daisy Jones and The Six became one of the most famous bands in the world before suddenly splitting in 1977. The story is told in a very unique way, through a “transcript of interviews” where readers get to learn first hand accounts of the band from bandmembers, friends, and family. 

The book starts with someone interviewing people involved with Daisy Jones and The Six. Daisy Jones is described as a solo artist, while at the same time, a small band called the Dunne Brothers were trying to earn their big break. Over a series of events the aspiring rock artists meet and eventually form the band, Daisy Jones and The Six. They write numerous hit songs together and become one of the best rock bands in the world. However, despite their ongoing success personal dramas arise and, in October of 1977, the band plays together for a final time and they never play together again. Throughout the “interview” the reasons behind the sudden split of the band are revealed.

I absolutely loved this book! I personally think Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of the most incredible authors and she really outdid herself with this book. One of my favorite parts of this book is how it empowers women. Despite being set in the 1960-1970, in a predominantly male dominated industry, Taylor Jenkins Reid is able to weave in threads of feminism in her novel.

“I used to care when men called me difficult. I really did. Then I stopped. This way is better.”

For example, most of the women in the novel are not interested in stepping aside and letting the men have the spotlight. Daisy repeatedly states that she is sick and tired of being used as inspiration for some guys' success. In what I feel is one of the most iconic lines in the novel she says,

“I had absolutely no interest in being somebody else’s muse.

I am not a muse.

I am the somebody” Page 16

Historically, men often get credit for women's achievements so I think it is so empowering to see Daisy demanding for credit where credit is due. I also appreciate how the women in this novel do not conform to who or what the men want them to be. For example, Daisy always chooses to wear what she wants no matter what other people feel about it. At one point in response to someone commenting on her thin tank top and shorts Daisy says,

“I’m not going to sit around sweating my ass off so men can feel more comfortable. It’s not my responsibility to not turn them on. It's their responsibility to not be an asshole.” Page 156

Additionally, I love how throughout the story women support other women. In many books the relationships between women get put on the backburner in order to favor relationships with men. In fact in many of the books I have previously reviewed, women are competing against each other for some guys' attention. I really appreciate that in Daisy Jones and The Six, despite there being a small love triangle, the women still support each other.

Another thing I liked about this book was the style of writing. I think the way the story is told in an interview format adds a unique element to the story. My favorite aspect of the "transcript" writing is that readers could see how different characters viewed certain scenarios in different ways. I thought this was an interesting commentary on how sometimes we remember things the way we want to remember them instead of how they actually were.

I have heard some people say that the writing style was more difficult to get into than some of Reid's other books, and I agree. However, once you get into it, the writing is very enjoyable and helps you better understand each individual character. I would also HIGHLY recommend the audio book if you are having trouble getting into the book. The audio book has some amazing voice actors and it really feels like a movie in your head.

While reading this book I also fell in love with the many multifaceted characters. I really enjoyed how none of the characters were two dimensional. They all had faults and they all made mistakes. Billy Dunne, one of the main characters of the novel is written as a likable guy that readers are supposed to root for. However, he is far from perfect. Over the course of the book he makes mistakes and often his bandmates question his decisions. Yet, he is still one of my favorite characters. 

One final thing that I loved about this book was the way it touched on addiction. I appreciate how Taylor Jenkins Reid was able to lean into the destructive nature of addiction without glamorizing it. Throughout the story Billy and Daisy both battle their addictions in a way that perfectly portrays the substance abuse and drug culture of the 1960-1970. I think their stories can bring hope to people who face similar difficulties. At one point in the story Daisy describes her addiction, 

“At first, I think you start getting high to dull your emotions, to escape from them. But after a while you realize that the drugs are what are making your life untenable, they are actually what are heightening every emotion you have. It's making your heartbreak harder, your good times higher. So coming down really does start to feel like rediscovering sanity. And when you rediscover sanity, It's only a matter of time before you start to get an inkling of why you wanted to escape it in the first place.” Page 278

I think this line is extremely thought provoking and is a good description of the cyclical nature of addiction.

Overall, I think this is an amazing book. It really made me think deeply about things and I loved the elements of feminism that were sprinkled throughout the story. Although, I think the ending could have been a little stronger after the build up, I still think this is an incredible book that everyone should read at least once. 

• Written by Julia

ALSO: If you really like this book please check out the show based off of it on Amazon Prime it is pretty good!