Daisy Jones & the Six: Book vs. Show

Ava Garcia, Managing Editor

WARNING: The following story contains spoilers for “Daisy Jones & the Six”

When Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel “Daisy Jones & the Six” hit the market in 2019, fans went crazy for the story, which follows an iconic rock band reliving the reason behind their breakup. But, the focus falls explicitly on the leading lady, Daisy Jones. She captures the essence of a carefree girl who knows her worth and does not take anything less, giving fans an independent character to follow.

Fans have anticipated the release of the new “Daisy Jones & the Six” adaptation on Amazon Prime, with the cast showcasing multiple household names, including Suki Waterhouse as Karen, Sam Claflin as Billy and Riley Keough as Daisy. Although the books and show carry many differences, they both capture the rock’n roll feel of the 1970s. 

Due to the misconception behind adapting books to movies or shows, people constantly nitpick every minor detail. However, adaptations do not have to directly mirror the book in order to be considered “good.” Spinning a show to alter specific aspects of the book often adds to the viewer’s experience. In the case of “Daisy Jones & the Six,” Billy and Daisy kiss in the show but not in the book, which indicates a difference since the book portrays Daisy leaning in as he backs away to be with his wife. The kiss in the show directly shows their connection and causes the audience to scream at their television not to do it, building a common resentment towards Billy’s character among fans. 

Keough and Claflin did not know how to sing before the release of this show; they went through extensive rehearsals to strengthen their voices to the level necessary to play Daisy and Billy. The cast also went through band rehearsals for a year-and-a-half before they finally began filming, which directly reflects the commitment these actors had to their characters.

The book also had a highly different writing style than Reid’s previous novels, since the book takes place through interviews. The show captures these interviews through commentary on past events the characters experienced, which truly brings the book to life. Although the show and book has various differences, they both hold qualities that contribute to the magic of the story.