Susannah Felts' novel, 'The Come Apart', is a captivating exploration of Chicago's indie music scene, offering a unique blend of personal reflection and creative storytelling. This book is a testament to Felts' deep connection with the city's vibrant music culture, and it's fascinating to see how she weaves her own experiences into the narrative.
What makes 'The Come Apart' particularly intriguing is its ability to transport readers back to the early 2000s, a time when Chicago's indie scene was thriving. Felts, a Nashville native, captures the essence of the city's music scene with remarkable detail, from the iconic venues like Empty Bottle and Lounge Ax to the emerging artists and the passionate fans. Her writing is a love letter to the city's music culture, and it's easy to see why she was drawn to it.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is its focus on Maggie Corbin and her band, Spinning Birds. Felts creates a relatable and complex protagonist in Maggie, who is a young artist struggling to find her place in the music industry. The story follows Maggie's journey as she navigates the challenges of creating a sophomore record during the Great Recession, while also dealing with personal and family drama. Felts' attention to detail is impressive, from crafting Maggie's catchy lyrics to creating mock interviews with a music journalist.
What makes 'The Come Apart' stand out is its ability to blend personal reflection with creative storytelling. Felts, who has a background in writing for the Chicago Reader, brings a unique perspective to the novel. She explores the idea of a parallel life, where she could have been an indie rocker in Chicago, recording with Steve Albini and getting signed to a major label. This parallel life adds a layer of depth to the novel, as Felts reflects on her own experiences and the choices she made.
The novel also delves into the impact of Bloodshot Records on Felts' worldview. As a Nashville native who grew up hating country music, Felts' experience with Bloodshot Records was a revelation. She found herself drawn to the raw and unfiltered sound of the label's artists, and this experience shaped her understanding of music and the industry.
'The Come Apart' is a testament to Felts' ability to blend personal reflection with creative storytelling. Her writing is engaging and thought-provoking, and it's easy to see why she has been working on this novel for over a decade. The book is a love letter to Chicago's indie music scene, and it's a must-read for anyone interested in the city's rich musical history and the artists who shaped it.
In my opinion, 'The Come Apart' is a masterpiece of creative non-fiction, and it's a testament to Felts' skill as a writer. Her ability to blend personal reflection with creative storytelling is impressive, and it's clear that she has a deep connection with the city's music culture. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in music, Chicago, and the power of art to shape our lives.
