Rock and Roll Dream
Daisy Jones & The Six discover the price of Fame
By PHOENIX CARLISLE | Cover courtesy of RANDOM HOUSE
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a complicated yet compelling story set the behind the scenes of tortured artists in the 1970s.
The novel follows Daisy Jones’ rise to fame while simultaneously discussing the rise of a boy band named “The Six.” Daisy Jones is a girl from L.A. with a beautiful talent that is just getting recognized in the late ’60s. Meanwhile Billy Dune is starting up his band that is hitting and climbing the charts rapidly.
While The Six is on tour, we watch Billy battle addiction, almost losing the love of his life and his child. Then Daisy’s and Billy’s producer suggests recording a song together, and the real star of the show finally takes center stage. Daisy will go on to join the band despite Billy’s protests. A short time later, Daisy achieves her fame while the band reaches the top and stays there. As their fame increases, so will an explosion of love, heartbreak and addiction.
This book is like no other I’ve read, simply from the style of writing to the aesthetics. It is written in interview form, allowing every character to share their experiences on the life-changing events that made them and then broke them. This book invites you to follow Daisy as she navigates fame, The Six, and her addictions through the late ’60s into the late ’70s.
One of my favorite genres is the tortured artist. Celebrities who fly too high, are adored in the public eye, who are broken and looking for a way out. The idea of someone being so perfect, yet tragic in the background is what Daisy Jones & The Six is all about. Reid gives readers seven complex characters that we are able to analyze — seven characters who are tortured through their love of fame. We see every perspective, seven different opinions and sides to one whole event. It’s beautiful because it’s so real, every story is different to everyone, fiction or not. Seven artists who sold their life, love and souls to be on top, achieving the rock and roll dream. Through drugs, depression, hiding from the public and torn relationships, they did it. They were on top and stayed there. Daisy and Billy are the focal points, leading us to know every dark secret kept in a quest for fame.
The book’s interview style provides an enjoyable perspective. Reid takes each event in order, gives us a mini summary, then the characters talk about their experiences. You feel like you are sitting in front of the characters, talking to them. Reid has this amazing talent for making her characters come to life.
Now for the book’s aesthetics. The 1960s and ’70s are two of my favorite eras. The fashion … the life … the history … the social and political movements. This novel gives us all of it. Reid doesn’t glaze over history, she talks about Vietnam protests while staying true to the plot. Daisy Jones is the definition of a ’70s wild child. This story is wild, fun, and feels like a party.
Daisy Jones & The Six is a complex story that follows beautiful people as they battle fame, addictions, and pressure. This novel is broken in the best ways. I recommend this to fans of “Almost Famous” (2000), the ’70s, and those who enjoy knowing the dark side of fame. If you enjoy this book, I also suggest The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. You’ll love it too.
