Daisy Jones and the Six - I don't know if you've heard of this book...?😜
There was a lot that was unappealing for me. It wasn't the interview format, which was fine. I looked forward to experiencing a different style. The first problem for me was that the characters all sounded detached. There were no feelings here.
Like when Daisy described her first time, I thought, where was the emotion? I would have expected more descriptive words to be chosen, particularly from a song writer. But it felt lacking.
As well, the band members all sounded the same at the beginning. I kept searching for, and hoping someone would have a different voice.
It also was turning out to be quite predictable. I really enjoy an alt gritty lifestyle story, that's what makes reading so enjoyable, being able to escape into another life. But I was finding this had... no soul.
But then things fortunately changed when the dynamic between Daisy and Billy got interesting.
Some may like Daisy's confidence, some may be turned off by it. I had a hard time understanding her. Rock stars are full of themselves though, and this story improved when author Taylor Jenkins Reid allowed Daisy to go deeper into her insecurities. We finally got to learn that her big ego and self importance came from a sense of having no self worth.
The dialogue improved when Daisy & Billy began working together, they started to develop and show feeling, and utter something other than cliches and typical defensive responses.
The Six became interesting then too, especially Karen & Graham's relationship.
I suppose that could be the point TJR had, to start off with characters that want to appear aloof, like they are just old rock n rollers, reminiscing about their party years,and then eventually, get to the real deal.
Reading this did make me think a lot about my favourite band, Fleetwood Mac, and wonder about what Stevie Nicks and Lyndsey Buckingham and Christine and John McVie went through.
I liked Daisy's voice comparison with Billy: "I sounded like a cool new pair of jeans and Billy sounded like a pair you've had for years."
Her observation when Hank became aggressive, she thought of all the decisions she made that brought her there would flash before your eyes. "Something tells me men don't do that same thing. When they are standing there, threatening a woman, I doubt they count every wrong step they made to become the asshole they are. But they should."
Her explanation about getting high: "It's funny. 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 discover your 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."
I received Daisy Jones and the Six in a giveaway.
Until next time,
Kara
