With the release of the show Daisy Jones & the Six in March 2023, fans of the book found themselves experiencing a new perspective on the novel’s events that inspired it all: Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. As an avid listener of 70s rock music and someone newly obsessed with Fleetwood Mac, I found myself running to the show and novel this summer. The more I watched, the more I was impressed by many aspects of the show, like the original cast recordings and the immersive storyline—a love letter to 70s rock. Due to my love for the genre, it may be surprising to note that my favorite part of Daisy Jones has nothing to do with the music at all, but with the characterization of and relationships between prominent female characters.
As every fan of the book or show knows, the women within the world of Daisy Jones have every reason to have antagonistic relationships with each other. Camila Dunne and Daisy Jones, for example, should be at odds over their love for Billy Dunne, played by The Hunger Games actor Sam Claflin. However, none of the women in the book or the show adaptation are singled out as love interests or pawns in a love triangle. One of the most famous quotes from the novel, from Daisy herself, lets you know from the beginning that this is a different kind of story: “I had absolutely no interest in being somebody else’s muse. I am not a muse. I am the somebody.”
“I had absolutely no interest in being somebody else’s muse. I am not a muse. I am the somebody.”
Daisy Jones & the Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid
The interactions between Camila Dunne and Daisy Jones are arguably one of the most significant aspects of the book and the show. Daisy and Camila are both portrayed as strong, sensitive, and complex people who have differing views, dreams, and ambitions. As a result, both characters are fully formed, with as much emphasis placed on Daisy’s passionate trailblazing as Camila’s subdued steadiness.
When the two women are forced to confront their complicated dynamics, Billy Dunne’s individual relationships with each of them become a major source of pain for both characters, yet Daisy and Camila don’t turn on each other in jealousy or cruelty. They listen to each other with compassion and understanding, which makes them unable to be classified simply as romantic rivals or narrative enemies.
Camila is conflicted about Daisy because of her similarities to Billy, and she cares for her despite her and Billy’s undeniable connection. During their conversation, Daisy is vulnerable with Camila in a way she rarely is with anyone else. In a scene from the book, Daisy explains the meaning behind Camila’s favorite song by the band, which many assume to be about Billy. Daisy reveals that the actual inspiration for the song was “wanting something she can never have” and her own desire to have a family despite feeling that she is too damaged to ever experience it. Daisy even confesses her longing for Camila’s life: “And I look at you and everything that you are and I know it’s everything I can never be.”
“And I look at you and everything that you are and I know it’s everything I can never be.”
Daisy Jones and the Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid
Camila’s response to this is what further sets these two and the novel in general apart from other media. Despite Daisy’s love for Billy and their own opposing natures, Camila is the only character to encourage Daisy in her desire to become a mother: “Don’t count yourself out this early, Daisy. You’re all sorts of things you don’t even know yet.” Throughout the novel and the show, Camila advocates for Daisy, even encouraging Billy to include Daisy in the band after his initial reservations. Daisy, in turn, respects Camila’s devotion to her children and her family. Both women love fiercely, and this isn’t exploited for conflict but for a connection they share and a tentative link between the two even when they have every reason to hate each other.
Both of these women are strong and unique, with individual feelings, dreams, and motivations that don’t exist just for them to clash and allow them to treat each other with mutual respect. This impactful departure from the usual portrayal of women with every reason to pit themselves against each other adds a level of complexity and understanding that every character deserves and raises the standard for what women in stories should be: complicated, messy, sturdy, and, above all, unique.