"This book is an attempt to piece together a clear portrait of how the renowned 1970s rock band Daisy Jones & The Six rose to fame—as well as what led to their abrupt and infamous split while on tour in Chicago on July 12, 1979."
This novel is structured as an oral history, which is basically the textual equivalent of a documentary. This paragraph is the very first in the book, appearing under a prefatory section titled "Author's Note." While novels can and have certainly featured notes from the author, this type of introductory material is more often found in non-fiction. And that is the point. The premise and purpose of the book is create wonder or doubt in the reader that perhaps the story being told is history. That readers may confuse fiction with fact may seem unlikely. In fact, blurring the line between fiction and biography has become almost faddish in recent literary history. Nothing is presented in this extract or the rest of the "Author's Note" that gives any hint or indication that this is not a true story about an actual band. The decision to set the story so far back in the past only serves to enhance the possibility that younger readers will not know the difference.
"KAREN: Rod told me to wear low-cut shirts and I said, `Dream on,' and that was about the end of that."
The "Author's Note" goes on to explain that the writer conducted a series of interviews with members of Daisy Jones & the Six, along with friends, family members, and others. This quote is an example of much of the textual structure. The keyboardist was actually named Karen Sirko but quickly earns the quirky stage name Karen Karen, which is a very nice touch that helps to intensify the verisimilitude of the fiction. This quote also highlights what some critics have pointed out as a flaw. This quote is basically it as far as sexual exploitation of the band. Of course, in reality, especially at the time, this rejection would most definitely not have constituted "the end" of that issue.
"Author’s Note: While I have made a concerted effort to remove myself from the narrative, I have included here a verbatim transcript of one conversation I had with Daisy Jones because I am, in fact, the only one that can corroborate this essential piece of Daisy’s story."
The identity of the writer of those notes from the authors remains a mystery for most of the book. Very deep into the story, this "Author's Note" suddenly intrudes into the interview. The author asserts that anonymity has been attempted up to this point, but from this point on the identity of the person responsible for putting the oral history together will be known. The revelation of the author is not presented as a major plot twist that changes everything, but it does put certain aspects of the narrative into a finer perspective. The revelation is also highly contributory to sustaining the entire premise of the book itself as a seemingly factual account of a true story.
