“When you think of me, I hope it ruins rock ‘n’ roll”

On March 5, 2019, Taylor Jenkins Reid gifted readers with her new novel, Daisy Jones & The Six. The story, set in the same universe as her previous book, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, follows an up-and-coming rock band and the challenges they face on their way to fame, as well as their inevitable end, and their final concert. Set in the 1970s, the book feels like a sentimental homage to Fleetwood Mac and an escape to the past. But the story of Daisy Jones & The Six didn’t just end on these pages.

In July of 2018, a copy of the book made its way into the hands of actress and producer Reese Witherspoon, who immediately saw its potential for adaptation as a TV series. Starring Sam Clafin, known as the king of book-to-movie adaptations, and Riley Keough, the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, the show quickly garnered an extreme amount of hype. 

Both the show and the book begin with the childhood of Daisy Jones, who grew up on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Daisy’s early life is less than the glamourous LA fantasy we may envision. She has a strained relationship with her parents, which pushes her to pursue the rock ‘n roll dream early on. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, Billy Dunne is forming a small-town band, the Dunne Brothers, with his brother Graham. Eventually, the band, growing both in popularity and members, decides to leap of faith and move to Los Angeles. The band grows to include members Eddie, Karen, and Warren, and coining themself “The Six.” Eventually, the band meets the eccentric Daisy Jones, who is still establishing herself in the rock scene, leading them to become Daisy Jones & The Six. 

The book immediately piqued my interest due to its distinct writing style and format. The entire book is an interview – an unknown, unnamed interviewer asks the different members various questions in order to learn the details of the band’s break up. Throughout the novel, the reader gets an explanation of the events rather than watching them unfold. Due to this, we get to understand each character’s (often contrasting) perspective of the events that occurred.

Another aspect of the book that makes it so compelling is its vivid snapshot of the spirit and energy of the 1970s, which the show only amplifies. Taylor Jenkins Reid did a brilliant job of bringing the era to life through the music, fashion, and culture described in the novel. We get the authentic feel of ‘70s freedom and the decade’s passion for music. Throughout the book, we get mentions of familiar names from the time, like David Bowie, Bob Dylan, and the Beatles, which makes the book feel more real and genuine. 

Each character from Daisy Jones & The Six feels genuine and flawed. Although the characters’ stories are all epic and bigger-than-life, they have a humane, relatable feeling that makes the book all the more alluring. The characters deal with real problems: relationships, families, addiction, and friendship. You can feel the connection and chemistry between the band members, making it hard to believe that the band is fictional. 

The show, released on March 3, 2023, is an almost perfect replica of the book. It reflects the show’s energy, its drama, and its nostalgia. The show makes a few changes that I believe only change the story for the better. They added more drama and gave us a deeper look into the music-making process. The reader gets to hear the music that the book only spoke about. It brings the fictional band that readers only dreamed of to real life. 

Daisy Jones & The Six, both the book and the show, are a dreamy, dramatic, and enjoyable storytelling of a Fleetwood Mac-like band. It is truly a love letter to the ‘70s, with masterful writing, imagery, and characters. The show doesn’t stray far from the book’s plot, and only adds more depth by expanding on its most endearing parts. I recommend this book to anyone of all generations who wants a fun, simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking read to explore the complexities of this era with its complicated and relatable characters. Daisy Jones & The Six is a beautiful ode to 1970s fashion, music, culture, and love.