Shannon's Reviews > Deep Cuts

I feel so lucky and grateful to have come across a book like this, a story about my two favorite things: writing and music. Deep Cuts puts us in the perspective of Percy, a fresh out of high school music lover and writer. I am a music enjoyer and a writer, but not a music writer, so it was a beautiful few days living as Percy and seeing songs through her eyes. On more than one occasion, she observed a piece of music with such sensitivity and insight that I couldn't believe my dumb ears dared to hear the same song and go "that was a fun one, next!" It made me want to take more time with music, allow the songs I love to breathe, and not be afraid to ask questions.

And of course, running through most of the story of Percy's life and career was the watery presence of Joe, the high school friend turned mega musician, the once destined love of Percy's life, but the free bird unable to settle. So much of their dynamic gets in their own way: Joe is not a natural song writer, but Percy has that untapped skill- can they be a collaborative songwriting duo, or do pride and ego get in the way every time? Their relationship is often at odds, clashing with one another's work, each other's identities. They need one another, but they keep hurting the other person. Their relationship is messy and vulnerable.

Others may call it toxic.

I appreciated when the story's romantic subplot settled for a period, and we got to spend time exploring Percy's own agency and confidence. It was satisfying to see Percy work in songwriting outside of Joe and still find success and personal validation. She deserved that.

I did find the ending abrupt. (view spoiler)[At a certain point I stopped rooting for them, assuming that their Happily Ever After wouldn't have anything to do with one another, and that felt right to me. Joe especially spent so much of the book hurting Percy or using her, and she spent so much time forgiving him. He was despicable more than once. I feel like they both settled into one another too quickly.

However, none of that really dissuaded my enjoyment- their dynamic felt real. Real people don't always do what's best for them. They may not be in it for the long haul, but they're both young enough to try one another and decide they've either made the worst mistake of their lives, or the best. (hide spoiler)]

The reading experience was serene and contemplative, even when the story elements were busy or noisy or drug-addled, and the scenes between Joe and Percy at the wedding were some of my favorite moments in the book. All in all, a beautiful and entertaining story woven story about music, vulnerability, agency, and finding one's footing in an industry where you can't often stand up straight.

5/5