A love story set in 1969 at the crossroads of rock and folk, Songs in Ursa Major is shot through with the lyrics, the icons, the lore, and the adrenaline of the late 60s music scene. The year is 1969, and the Bayleen Island Folk Fest is abuzz with one name: Jesse Reid, whose intricate guitar riffs and supple baritone are poised to tip from fame to legend with this one headlining performance. That is, until his motorcycle crashes on the way to the show, and local band The Breakers takes his place ...
Musical novels are having their moment in the spotlight. Taylor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones and the Six was the trailblazer, and now books featuring soulful storylines are finding their way into the hands and hearts of readers. Combining both riveting narratives and magical melodies, these reads are often packed with intrigue and drama, and are positively unforgettable. Some of these novels, such as Daisy Jones, are even inspired on real musical acts, as is Emma Brodie's debut, Songs in Ursa Major, which is loosely based on the short-lived relationship of folk singers James Taylor and Joni Mitchell.
Jane Quinn and her band The Breakers are not on anyone's radar to make it big on the music scene. However, when they are a last-minute replacement at a local Folk Festival for superstar Jesse Reid, who crashes his motorcycle on the way to the venue, they find their star steady on the rise. Jane and Jesse grew up on Bayleen Island together, but they come from different worlds, never intersecting or coming in contact, but that is quick to change when Jane and The Breakers are given the incredible opportunity to record an album under the same label as Jesse.
As Jane helps nurse Jesse back to health after his near-fatal accident, he assists her with her album and navigating the industry, and the two soon form a bond that transcends their shared passion of music. But as their ardor for each other grows and their bands head out together on a head-spinning tour full of shared moments in the spotlight and plenty of boozy late nights, they find themselves dancing too close to the sun, sure to be burnt. When things come to a head and life-altering secrets are revealed, no one will walk away unscathed or the same.
The late 60s and early 70s were such an iconic time in history, and especially in music, making it the perfect backdrop for Brodie's folk music-inspired novel. Trailing Jane as she contends with standing up for herself as a woman in a world that caters to men, while also coming to terms with the fact that she became a star by riding Jesse Reid's coattails, Songs in Ursa Major shines a spotlight on the hoops women have to jump through to be taken seriously in the music industry. Readers will root for Jane as she grapples to find footing as a musician in her own right, and fights to take control of her life and career.
Also tantalizing is Brodie's use of music and lyrics throughout this euphonic novel. Interweaving songwriting and lyrics with narrative, Songs in Ursa Major envelops readers with the music of Jane Quinn and Jesse Reid, providing for an immersive, reflective reading experience. Brodie captures a moment, a place, a person in Songs in Ursa Major, and has created a resounding tale of the music scene.
Where Songs in Ursa Major falters is in Jane's connection with readers. By telling this story in third person, Brodie misses an opportunity to allow readers to really associate with Jane on an intimate level and fall in love with her, which happens to be my biggest issue with this book. I did not like Jane. I feel like Brodie only gave us what Jane would want us to see of her, and because we are not let in, it is difficult to elicit feelings of endearment or sympathy towards her as she struggles to find her way.
Soon to be a motion picture, Songs in Ursa Major will most appeal to readers who enjoy books about the music industry. While this novel has a different feel and story structure from Daisy Jones and the Six, readers who enjoyed the musical aspects of that novel will also find much to love about Songs in Ursa Major.
Availability: Book Rating: **** Stars (I really liked it) Reviewer: Brooke, Public Relations Librarian
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GENRE: Historical Fiction; Love Stories
THEME: Musical Reads (These stories harmonize in the musical world, with featured performances from musicians, composers, and music-lovers.)
TONE: Atmospheric; Bittersweet; Haunting
WRITING STYLE: Engaging; Richly Detailed
STORYLINE: Character-Driven; Unconventional
TIME PERIOD: 1960s; 1970s
SUBJECT: Ambition; Drug Abuse; Fame; Folk Music; Mothers & Daughters; Music Festivals; Music Industry & Trade; Musicians; Rock Concert Tours; Rock Music; Secrets
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