Set in the late 2000’s and the start of streaming, The Come Apart by Susannah Felts covers the cusp of a new era of music media. Indie bands, faced with the stress of touring with limited venues, are cautiously optimistic of new ways to reach potential fans. We follow main character Maggie, a singer-songwriter to a new band of an indie darling. The Spinning Birds have just released their first album and are at the tail end of the promotional tour. With the initial rush over, Maggie has to figure out her next steps, with the band, and herself.
Chapters switch between Chicago and Nashville at two points in Maggie’s life. It reflects in a back and forth between the Midwest and the South. Two cultures playing a tug-o-war with Maggie at its center. We feel the tension burst through the pages of this emotive read. Maggie seems to self-sabotage, she is almost uncomfortable without drama as we step into her shoes without the whole picture. Her relationships overlap, even circling back and enveloping Maggie with emotional turmoil.
The writing is raw and visceral. It sets you not only in Maggie’s world, but inside her. We are looking through a point of view of a lone woman in an indie touring band. We see glimpses into the touring process, and that of music writing and criticism. The story is presented as Maggie experiences the world: through song verse, texts, interviews, and thought. Felts makes sure the reader uses all five of their senses. I wonder if there is an official playlist to accompany the book. There certainly is a menu. Beyond the tactile, spirituality also permeates Maggie’s narration. Maggie sees a mysticism hiding in the alleys between buildings and flowers blooming in spring. That magic is captured through the bits of lyrics peppered through every observation. It gives a stream of consciousness style to The Come Apart that makes it feel more alive.
In the acknowledgements, Felts divulges the journey The Come Apart took to becoming realized. And reading it feels similarly cathartic. Her own journey from Chicago to Nashville surfaces in Maggie’s life. If I had to guess who this story was written for, it would be for the lone woman in a band, but more importantly it would be for her band mates and family to walk in her shoes. Additionally the character of Matt Turkish feels like an amalgamation of the “male frontman.” He travels through the world like another story’s main character, and treats those around him as supporting players. It is his turn to play second fiddle in Maggie’s story. We see Felts appear in a different portion of the book as well. Maggie is interviewed by a graduate student in journalism from University of Chicago, Felt’s alma mater. The student is creating a music publication to support women in music. This is the only other character that we see their point of view, without Maggie. Instead of being a jolt out the story, it clarifies what Felts is building towards.
The Come Apart is available for pre-order and will release in June 2026. Just in time for beach reading season or in the case of SoundGirls: tour season for those long hours on the tour bus. Just make sure to grab a plate of chocolate chip cookies, and maybe a mint julep.