Holly Brickley’s debut novel Deep Cuts has already achieved every author’s dream: a movie adaptation. The A24 film, directed by Sean Durkin and starring Cailee Spaeny and Drew Starkey, is set for release next year. Despite being barely into production, the movie has already garnered a casting controversy as non-Latina actress Odessa A’zion dropped out of the project after facing backlash for being cast as a Mexican-Jewish character.
The book’s quick timeline from release to filming is admirable and a testament to the overall quality of Brickley’s concepts and characters. Additionally, the story is the perfect fit for the vibe of A24, combining romance with music, set against a 2000s and early 2010s backdrop. Following the relationship and lives of music writer Percy Marks (Cailee Spaeny) and aspiring musician Joe Morrow (Drew Starkey), the novel chronicles years of history between the two.
It starts with their first meeting in a University of California, Berkeley college bar, where Percy overanalyzes “Sara Smile” by Hall and Oates. Beside her sits Joe, who, recognizing her analytical talent, quickly asks for feedback on his music. Percy agrees to listen to his song, hoping to scratch her music itch. Brickley makes it clear that Percy lacks musical talent, a quality she compensates for in her avid critical understanding. After listening to Joe’s song, Percy recognizes its massive flaws, but also that Joe possesses immense talent. Their partnership deepens as Joe improves his music thanks to Percy’s help.
Their relationship is fueled entirely by a mutual musical understanding. Yet, the two initially refuse romance, as Joe remains dependent on his punk girlfriend Zoe Gutierrez (to be played by Ariela Barer) and her stable family. Confusingly, Zoe is a lesbian, a fact the couple at first refuses to acknowledge until later on. Zoe continues to float through Percy’s life, eventually becoming a great friend and confidant.
Another reason Joe initially refuses to deepen his relationship with Percy (or at least, label it) lies in her undeniable talent in writing and production. He is deeply aware of his own academic failures, stressing a need to make it big. The novel makes it clear that Percy’s collaboration is integral in jumpstarting and sustaining his career — she’s literally the subject of Caroline’s (his band) most popular song. Still, their chemistry is undeniable, especially during postgrad, where Joe begins to see success while touring and Percy moves to New York City.
Within the novel, Percy and Joe’s relationship shifts from collaborators into untraditional lovers, and eventually to strangers; however, within each stage they are thinking of each other. As the story is mainly from Percy’s perspective, we see how she manages to keep tabs on him during the rise and fall of his career. Zoe additionally provides Joe’s perspective when he is unable to, managing to keep the story rooted in deep love and admiration, even during the rougher patches of their relationship.
A main hallmark of this book is how perfectly Brickley discusses music. Having created a playlist with all the songs mentioned, her love for music is palpable in the ways she discusses the anatomy of choruses, bridges and tunes. Through her career, Percy continuously analyzes songs, starting with Zoe’s punk zine before expanding to blogging. Her analysis always manages to include personal anecdotes along with real music facts, expanding the world of the character while simultaneously including realism and relatability.
Although Percy and Joe tend to operate in the stratosphere of indie 2000s rock, the book features a multitude of artists and genres from Outkast to Kate Bush. Percy even gets flak from Zoe and her punk friends for choosing to defend No Doubt as high art, a moment that connects the girls beyond Joe. The book includes clips of her writing, along with music reviews for Joe’s album, building an immersive story.
The greatest part of Deep Cuts is how human Percy and Joe feel. They love each other, yet both desire fame and recognition outside of each other. This issue is one Percy especially grapples with, as Joe even refuses to give her writing credit on songs she clearly worked on. Joe’s decision is not one of malice — likely self-protection — yet his cowardice is constant in the destruction of their relationship. Percy also contributes with judgemental tendencies and an overall pretentious nature.
Past their flaws remains a pair deeply intertwined. It’s something Zoe picks up from the beginning, telling Percy and the reader that Joe and her have something deep, able to withstand years of anger and pride.
Their love for each other is akin to how they see music: never ending, even when it probably should.
Kate LaGatta is a member of the Class of 2029 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a columnist for the Arts & Culture department and can be reached at klagatta@cornellsun.com.
