Hi everyone! I hope you’re well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today is the turn of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six.

Daisy Jones and The Six was first published in March 2019 by Ballantine Books, and is 368 pages long.

The Plot
Set in the 1970s, Daisy Jones and the Six is a captivating novel that tells the story of Daisy Jones, a young and beautiful musician who becomes the frontwoman of the rock band The Six.

Characters
Daisy Jones
Daisy Jones is the story’s protagonist and becomes the Six’s lead singer. She is beautiful, charismatic, and free-spirited. Daisy comes from a wealthy family but has a troubled past, including drug abuse and a strained relationship with her parents. Despite her flaws, Daisy is a talented musician with a raw and powerful voice. Her addition to the band pushes them forward, helping them achieve success. Her substance abuse issues, however, threaten to tear the group apart.

Billy Dunne
Billy Dunne is the Six’s lead singer. He formed the group in his teen years with his brother Graham, calling themselves the Dunne Brothers. Billy is a complex character who struggles with his own demons, including addictions to alcohol and drugs, which threaten the band’s success. Throughout the book, we see him grow and change as he navigates the ups and downs of fame and relationships.

Karen Karen
Karen is the group’s keyboardist and the first female member of The Six. In fact, it is with her joining that the group is renamed ‘The Six’. She is a determined and skilled musician and has always dreamed of a life on the stage. She brings a fresh perspective and becomes a vital part of the band.

Graham Dunne
Graham is Billy’s brother and the bassist of the band. Graham is a talented musician who contributes considerably to the band’s success. He is also the band’s peacemaker, always trying to diffuse tensions if they arise between members.

Graham and Karen begin a secret relationship, leading to conflict and tension between the two when Karen discovers she is pregnant; Graham wants a child, but Karen does not.

Eddie Loving
Eddie is the Six’s rhythm guitarist. He has always loved and had a passion for playing the guitar. He is brought into the group to replace their previous rhythm guitarist, Chuck, who is drafted into the Vietnam War.
He is fiercely loyal to the band and is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their success.

Warren Rhodes
Warren is the band’s drummer. He is the band’s backbone, always fighting for them, even at their worst. Although he likes to have a good time, Warren never loses perspective and keeps his feet on the ground.

Camila Dunne
Camila is Billy’s wife and the mother of his three children. She’s also Karen’s best friend. A strong and supportive character, she is a stabilising influence in Billy’s life and a mother figure to the rest of the band. Camila is a sensitive and intuitive person who understands the struggles of being a musician’s wife. She is an anchor for Billy during his turbulent times and plays a crucial role in keeping the band together.

Writing Style
The book’s narrative style is one of the most striking things about Daisy Jones and the Six. The story is presented in conversational interviews with members of the band, their friends, and their colleagues.

Throughout the book, Taylor Jenkins Reid seamlessly merges the personal stories of the band members with the professional aspects of their lives; it feels as though you are right there alongside them, such is the level of research and detail evident in the book. As a reader, you can get a good impression of what it must have been like to be part of the music scene in the seventies; whether we are learning about drugs, sex, or the politics of music labels, the book does not shy away from the realities of the rock and roll lifestyle.

The book also touches on themes of addiction, sexism, and love, exploring how these issues can impact a person’s life and relationships. Reid does an excellent job of balancing these heavier subjects with moments of humour, joy, and excitement, making the reading experience an engaging and emotional experience.

Final Thoughts
Daisy Jones and the Six is a must-read for any fan of rock music or anyone who loves a well-written book. The unique narrative style, complex characters, and attention to detail make this novel an immersive and unforgettable journey through the music industry of the seventies. The book is a perfect mix of fiction and reality, with the fictional characters and events seamlessly woven into the tapestry of rock and roll history. The story will most certainly stay with readers long after the book’s end.

With this being the second of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books I have read, I have quickly become a fan of her effortless and compelling style.

I am giving Daisy Jones and the Six an 8/10.

Have you read Daisy Jones and the Six or watched the Amazon series adapted from the book? What did you think?

As ever, thanks so much for giving my review a glance. I really appreciate your time.

Until next time,

George

© 2023 GLT

Categories: Book Reviews, Reading

Tags: book, book review, Daisy Jones, music, review, reviews, Rock, Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Six