Reviews with content warning for Violence - Daisy Jones & The Six

It was a good read and the unique method of how it was written, in the manner of interviews with the band and various other adjacent people, really helped sell the "now" feeling of rock and roll and history and messy messy relationships. It was interesting to see the various views of the same event all at once instead of spaced into different POV chapters. This stylistic choice definitely would not work for most but it did here, in a Rolling Stone memorial kind of way. That said, I could not stop myself from constantly thinking "Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood Mac" because, well... Honestly. What other band had such dynamic personalities and messy interpersonal relationships etc? I'm of the age where that real history has become just another pop culture touch-point and I'm pretty sure Reid was fully aware of how she was going to be using that resonance every minute she was writing this book.

Most of the characters were messy and, often, downright unlikeable at various points but it made sense. These were bigger than life personalities and we were not meant to identify with them. Sympathize, maybe. Worry about them, castigate them, definitely. But they are not the sort of character you hang out with and have a nice chat. They're far too narrow-focused to be good company. Which actually made it interesting in the final chapter when we found out what everyone was up to post-band, post-fame.

To be 100% honest, though... I liked The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo better. :)

Content Warnings

audreyariane's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The oral history format made this the perfect story to enjoy via audiobook format. The ensemble cast was superb.

Content Warnings

neliasbookshelf's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

audreyariane's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

katlanmechele's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I read this book in a day and a half. I had read Taylor Jenkins Reid before. My first TJR read was, "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo". While, I thoroughly enjoyed that book, it did take me longer than usual to get into. I kept having a hard time, holding on for the ending payoff. I wanted to give another book of hers a try to see if it was maybe just that particular story or her writing style. I'm so happy I took a chance on this. I somehow managed to miss all the spoilers about this book during the Daisy Jones & the Six TikTok craze era, and I'm so happy I did.

I had so much to say about everything. About everyone. I annotated the mess out of this book. The characters are perplexed and sometimes you root for them, and sometimes you want them to get what the hell they deserve. As we tend to do with people in our own lives. The story explores so many different avenues of life. You root for these people to grow and learn as you would a brother or a sister. Billy is complicated, Daisy is arguably even more complicated. But, the real star of this book for me is Camilla. She represents in many ways the woman we hope we never have to be, and in other ways the woman we hope to become. She sees people for who they are. Past her own pain and disappointment, she can see you. She is the true anchor of this story and she made me cry several times throughout this book.

To me, Daisy and Billy represent two people who love the idea of each other. But, bonding over brokenness doesn't make you soulmates. It just makes you two broken people who understand each other. It is not always the person that you are attracted to, but what they bring out of you or what they see in you. For Billy, Daisy represents a freedom he thinks that he wants. A freedom the thoughts in his mind have convinced him he will never have. Even if he gave it all up, he'd always wonder about what who and what he left behind. For Daisy, Billy represents a man who saw her and didn't want to run at the first glimpse. He knew her in ways no one ever has, and she was able to tell that he knew her without him having to say as much. But, sometimes people can see you so clearly, because they recognize that darkness from a mile away. It once lived in them. The semi-truck doesn't have to flash it's lights at them for them to know, it's headed straight for them.

You watch the characters fight with themselves, with those they love, and with the things they think they're unworthy of. In the end, I believe it's a story about being bold enough to love people as they are. Your heart will break, mend, and leap for the characters in this book. They remind us that most of us just want to be seen.

Content Warnings

apthompson's review against another edition

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reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

zoeysdigest's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

An intriguing piece. Combining the use of the 'unreliable narrator' with a group interview, I found the delivery of the story unique and captivating. I especially enjoyed witnessing the conflicting accounts, and the omission of certain details—they often tell the emotions and tension more powerfully. It's easy to get lost in the dialogue and hard to remember who's who but you'll get the hang of it.

🎯

I especially loved Camila; her and Billy's view and belief on love. Their ability to hold secrets, and their level of trust. Their love was tender to witness and root for.

Their unique take on love,

as well as Billy's chemistry with Daisy and how everything was balanced was one of the main draws for me.

🎯

How the book played out Graham's and Karen's love story was really relatable—people who love each other but don't want the same things. Karen's take on children, how the abortion was freeing, is also a taboo topic explored.

🎯 Some of the characters' growth and admission of failures as they recount their past.
🤔 The front part was slightly too long and draggy, which made enjoying the book difficult. But once you're past Daisy's past and the band's starting days it gets easier.
🤔 The events taking place could feel slightly repetitive

Content Warnings

daydaybookbay's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The story is written as excerpts of interviews from multiple viewpoints. I think this is a fun and unique way to tell the story of all the characters from their own perspectives. The reader can see right away where the story changes based on each person's experience.

There are so many characters involved in this novel, but they are all so distinctly different from one another, you have no problem keeping them straight. Warren is the comic hero of the story. With all the dark themes, his character lightens the mood.

I started flipping to the back of the book where the lyrics of the songs are printed. Each time they mention a new song, I go back and read the lyrics. I think it helps create a better understanding of Billy and Daisy's actual feelings and emotions.

I absolutely loved reading this book. It was fun and uplifting while also being dark and self-reflecting. I hate this feeling I have connecting with Simone. It makes me sad on a personal level, but I think that's why her quotes stick with me so much.

Check the TWs if you have concerns, but I definitely-100%-recommend this book.

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