Debut novelist Dawnie Walton has achieved something remarkable with "The Final Revival of Opal & Nev." She has penned a novel about rock music that both evokes the music, in evocative language, and captures the surrounding swirl of business and culture. In New York in the early seventies, just as flower power morphed into something grand, young Opal, an African American singer of charismatic looks, and Neville, a recently arrived white singer-songwriter from Birmingham, click together in the Big Apple. Black funk pairs with white punk to create a fictional, incendiary group that takes the world by storm for a brief period. Now, five decades later, a renowned American music journalist reaches back to construct an oral history, reviving both the facts of two careers but also possible dire skeletons. Constructed as interlaced interview records spiced up with editorial asides and the journalist's own story, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev leapfrogs the boredom often associated with fake oral history, and artfully constructs a thrilling tale replete with rock music's real footprint. Innovative, wonderfully written, and illuminating, it is a ravishing debut.

Because I kept seeing this compared to 'Daisy Jones & The Six' and I really liked that book, my expectations for this one were very high. Maybe they were too high. For the first 30-40% of this, I thought I was on the way to another favourite read. But the story started dragging, and I never really felt emotionally connected to any of the characters. At the end, I was left feeling indifferent about pretty much every aspect of this book. The author clearly tried to make observations about class, race, and gender throughout, but it often came across as quite heavy-handed to the point where it became rather easy to see where the broader story was going to go.

There are plenty of references to the real world, which should have increased the realistic feel of the story. Unfortunately they only served to pull me out of the story world, and it became increasingly difficult to make my way back to the story. If not for the (excellent) audiobook, as much as it pains me to say, I probably would have DNF'd this one.

Comparisons to Daisy Jones & the Six really don't do this book justice. Both are an oral history of a music group's rise to fame, but this book takes this further with a searing look at the racial injustice that is intrinsic to American history and its present, with a blend of real and imagined figures and events that all feels incredibly authentic. Walton's writing is beautiful, immersive and poignant and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.

(Many thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the eARc in exchange for an honest review.)

Nooooo I'm so sad I've finished this book!

I looooved it!!

I haven't read anything like this book before in the way that it was written.

There honestly isn't anything that I didn't like about this book!

The characterisations and develop of all the characters in the story is so good! Opal is a fierce, as is Sunny! I loved the writing and the way I felt like I was actually watching an Opal performance.


Just read this book!

Thank you to quercusbooks and netgalley

I wanted to love this book - I really did. The premise sounds like exactly the sort of book that should appeal to me, and I can certainly see why it's had so many positive reviews, but for me, despite the beautiful writing and the perfect scene setting, the book just didn't cut it, to the point where I couldn't finish it. In fact, I got barely a quarter of the way through before I gave up.

The story is wonderful, the writing perfect but - for me at least - there is something missing. However, I won't score it based on my taste, I still think it's worth four stars, and if you enjoy well-written books, you will almost certainly love this. The fault is in me, not the book.

Trigger Warnings: racism, racial slurs, hate crimes, and drug abuse.

The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton is the oral history of a fictional rock ‘n’ roll duo. Opal and Nev (a Black early Afro-punk singer from Detroit and a white British songwriter from Birmingham) shot to stardom in the 1970s after a tragic and now infamous incident at a record company live showcase. However, while Nev was catapulted to decades-long fame, Opal found herself left behind as the public consciousness unfairly made her the scapegoat for the incident, showing that “repercussions are always harsher for women, especially black women, who dare to speak their truth.”

In 2016, Opal is considering a reunion tour with Nev and acclaimed music journalist S. Sunny Shelton begins compiling a detailed book about the Opal and Nev story. But as Sunny works diligently to interview everyone connected with the duo back at the height of their stardom, a new allegation about what actually happened at the Rivington Records showcase threatens to change everything.

This was a brilliantly constructed book that is told entirely through interview transcripts, newspaper clippings, and other primary sources with frequent “editor’s notes” from the fictional editor Sunny S. Shelton who helps bring all these disparate elements together into one cohesive and compelling narrative. This unusual structure (the same style was popularized last year in New York Times Bestseller Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid) helps to make everything feel that much more real, and the way the author seamlessly slips real events and people in amongst the fiction—quotations from Quentin Tarantino, Janelle Monae, and Tom Morello, repeated mentions of famous Vanity Fair and Vogue photos, Opal’s memories of time spent at famous NYC nightclub Max’s Kansas City—blurs the lines between fact and fiction so smoothly that you begin to wonder if you’re experiencing the Mandela Effect and Opal and Nev are, in fact, real people that you have somehow forgotten.

I listened to The Final Revival of Opal and Nev courtesy of Audible and found it to be a thoroughly engaging story that kept my attention for every minute. This was largely thanks to its large cast who fully embodied every character from the passionate and outspoken Opal; her flamboyant personal stylist and fashion designer Virgil LaFleur; Rivington Records founder Howie Kelly who encapsulates everything you ever heard rumored about 1970s record execs, and—of course—the softly spoken yet defiant Neville Charles (Nev). The audiobook could easily have become hard to follow with all these voices presenting their parts of a complex, overlapping story, yet that never happened and I found myself so fully immersed in the story that it felt as if I was really listening to Opal, Nev, and their old friends (and occasional enemies) talking directly to me.

Naturally, in a book such as this one, there are some deeply upsetting elements here too. Racism is a constant presence throughout the story whether screamingly in-your-face or quietly simmering beneath the surface, and hearing some of the worst slurs imaginable spoken aloud made for difficult listening—you may not want to listen to this audiobook around youngsters. The N-word is also frequently used—partly because it features in the title of one of Opal and Nev’s most famous songs which, in itself, says a lot about Opal’s character. While these moments certainly made for uncomfortable listening, the overall storyline will no doubt be depressingly familiar to many Black readers who have grown achingly accustomed to so much of what Opal experiences. Indeed, being authored by a Black woman and featuring Black voices front and center, one of the key themes throughout The Final Revival of Opal and Nev is the way white voices are so frequently amplified over those of Black people, and the repercussions faced by Black women who are silenced to benefit their white and male contemporaries.

This was a powerful, thought-provoking story written in an unusual way that brings the reader into the 1970s New York inhabited by Opal and Nev. It is complicated, provocative, immersive, eye-opening, and occasionally heartbreaking—especially when Opal opines about how little has really changed in America between the Rivington Records showcase incident in 1971 and the America of 2016 in which the interviews largely take place. Music lovers will especially adore this one, but I would highly recommend it to everyone.

⭐️Review time ⭐️

If you’re looking for something fun and engrossing with equal measures of soul and substance look no further than the final revival of Opal & Nev !

Written in the style of a scandalous tell all #thefinalrevivalofopalandnev covers the story of the unlikely punk rock duo and the incident which would come to define them !

This is a book about friendship, love, music, following your dreams , feminism and racial injustice . I think it will be a big hit and it deserves to be !

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @netgalley and @quercusbooks for the E-ARC

Really enjoyed learning about Opal and Nev, this reminded me of Daisy Jones but had more important discussions about race. I loved the 80s setting. I think this is the sort of book made to be audio, so I would have preferred to have read this via audiobook.

I adored Daisy Jones & The Six and wasn't sure if this would just be a copycat of it but it didn't fail to entertain! I loved the characters and the pacing, the rougher edges and the grung'y atmosphere of this one. It's as close as we can get to being able to enjoy live music! It sparkled with rock'n'roll and humour, and I was there for it!

I went into this expecting a rehashed version of Daisy Jones and the Six ( which I loved) but despite the obvious similarities of reportage writing style and the fact it’s set in the music industry these are very different books and so I hope that the word gets out to not do as I did, and to treat them as completely separate entities!

Opal and Nev are an unlikely duo who together form a dynamic combination on stage. We join them as a reunion 30+ years later us being contemplated. And slowly and surely we find out what was behind their split many years before. Told from the pen of a journalist who has her own family tragedy linking her to the band.

But what is so powerful is beyond this basic plot we get to see behind the scenes of the music industry and the struggle black women faced, and still face, to achieve success. The racism and misogyny that stifles every move they try to make. The labels given to black women of difficult, pushy and more vs their white male counterparts.

And this is what makes Opal and Nev stand out. That it is a vital insight into social issues still faced today and every day by black women.

A nerdy, ginger Englishman and a punk-rock, feminist black chick come together in the early ’70s to upset the music establishment. Some 40+ years later, after experiencing two very different career paths, Opal and Nev plan their grand reunion, when Sunny, a music journalist with personal ties to the duo, uncovers an unsettling allegation that could change everything.

I enjoyed this book. I loved the journalistic style in which it was written, so very reminiscent to Daisy Jones & The Six, to which it’s been compared a lot. But there’s a lot more to Opal and Nev’s story. While I could take or leave Nev’s character, it’s Opal who steals the show. Politicised, angry and fed up with being kept quiet, Opal unleashes her fury in one spectacular act of subversion but has to pay bitterly for its consequences.

This book makes one bold statement about how speaking and living your own truth is not the same for women, let alone black women, neither back then, nor today. There’s nothing subtle about the racism and sexism that this book brings to the fore and thus it packs a powerful punch.

However, I found the book just that little bit too long. I wish it could have gotten to the juicy bit more quickly and the big apogee was just a tad anti-climactic for me. I won’t say what I didn’t like about it as I don’t want to give anything away.

Nevertheless, this is definitely worth a read — we need more women like Opal in this world!

The Final Revival of Opal and Nev tells the story of an odd-couple musical partnership - a lanky (white) English singer-songwriter, Nev, and a young black soul singer from Detroit, Opal. He brings ambition and a quirky songwriting talent, she brings electric performances and a stylistic and political edge. From the early 1970s, they spark and fizzle with chaotic energy, leaving a cult following of devoted fans and a trail of tragedy in their wake.

Among the fans is Sunny, a successful music journalist and daughter of Opal and Nev's late drummer, Jimmy Curtis. Over forty years on from Opal and Nev's first meeting, she sets out to interview the pair and many of their supporting cast, for a book, timed to coincide with a potential reunion tour. The novel consists largely of quotes from these interviews, plus newspaper clippings and Sunny's own occasional notes of context or commentary.

At the heart of the narrative is a particular concert that went badly wrong. Tensions fomented by racist fans and band members of the headline act boil over into violence. Unpicking what really happened, who did what and why, and the consequences for the different parties form the bulk of the novel.

The unusual (though not unique) oral-history style - storytelling-through-interviews - was initially somewhat distancing - why not just tell they story from within, rather than reflecting back on past events? But it wasn't long before I was lured in and hooked. It works partly because it is strongly reminiscent of TV documentaries about musical icons of years gone by. And partly because the interviews allow all parties to express their perspectives freely, creating ambiguity where accounts and interpretations of the same events differ. That ambiguity beautifully is exploited beautifully to build tension.

The characters are rich, and the writing captures distinct voices for each of them. Perhaps Virgil laFleur, Opal's stylist, flirted close to caricature at times, but Nev, and Sunny, and of course Opal in particular, will live long in the memory. And the plot builds in entirely believable ways, simple layer on simple layer creating a complex but very real stage for events to play out.

The result is compelling. I fell deep. Multiple times I wanted to turn to Google to see a particular album cover, or YouTube to see a performance, and had to remind myself time and again that this is all fiction. Does Rivington exist? Derringdo? That photo? Still now, I desperately want to hear the songs. I have rarely felt so immersed in the world of a novel.

And to top it all off, we are given a hugely sensitive and honest depiction of race and racism in modern America - from overt white supremacists to more subtle forms. This is where the novel really pays off - the characters, the world, the music, and everything else - are important but arguably secondary, put into service in a fascinating exploration the theme of racism.

In short, this is a spectacular debut by a very talented author. I look forward to a surely inevitable movie, to mess with our minds on what's true and what's fiction all over again.

- - - - -
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a review copy of the book, in exchange for an honest review.

This book tells the story of fictional Rock n’ Roll
Duo, Opal & Nev, told through an oral-history and interview-style which reveals parts of their rise to fame and the life-changing events which subsequently followed.

The spoken-style of writing complimented the story extremely well as it enabled the characters to come to life, which was only strengthened further by the inclusion of real-life celebrities and events which were woven throughout the history.

The story also touches upon issues of race which are still so deep-rooted within our society. Dawnie expertly highlights just how much there is to unpack with regards to the way in which the confederate flag is viewed upon, and how devastating the impacts of this attachment can be.

I found this book very compelling and was drawn in to the story and life of Opal especially within the first few pages. However, I did struggle with the style of writing and found myself quite disconnected at times as a result. However, I would still recommend this book as I think it is incredible unique and special in so many ways.

In "The final revival of Opal & Nev", we follow the rise and fall of this fictional duo through interviews to them and the people around them. The comparisons to "Daisy Jones and the Six", by Taylor Jenkins Reid comes to mind as soon as you start reading. What makes it different?

Opal is a Black woman, and her perspective of racism in the music industry brings a new freshness to the format. She's a very vibrant character, opinionated, sassy, and daring. She won't do something she doesn't want to do. She's a human, and she can be frustrating to people around her and to the reader, especially in the events leading to... (I won't spoil)

I really enjoyed this book, mostly because of the exploration of race and racism, and the change of focus on the narrator from 'Opal and Nev' to 'Opal' at some point during the book, bringing her character to the light and focusing on her experiences.

This review is based on an advanced reading copy of the book. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of "The final revival of Opal & Nev" in exchange for an honest opinion.

The easiest, and most applicable, comparison to this book would be 'Daisy Jones and the Six' by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Both are about fictional bands from the 60/70s, told through multiple recounts attempting to reconstruct what went on during their rise and fall.

The biggest difference would be the weight of what goes on within those events. Walton deftly explores race within the music industry, and society overall, in such an emotive and thought-provoking manner. Pearl is a wonderful character, an enigma we're desperate to explore.

What I really enjoyed here is how unpredictable it was. Emphasis is placed on parts of their journey that would be rushed in other stories. And the reveals along the way are wonderfully engrossing.

All in all, this is a real gem.

The life story of fictional afro-punk pioneer Opal Jewel is narrated by the journalist Sunny, aka SarahLena. She explores Opal's rise to fame, her trials and tribulations, through interviews with the people that were part of her life, her career. Sunny so has a very personal reason for getting so involved in this story... Although this might seem like a cluttered approach to a novel, it results here in a vivid and very realistic story that I hugely enjoyed reading. It touches on important subjects like racism, sexism, and gives a riveting insight into the world of rock music from the 1970s to now. I just wish I could listen to some of Opal's music, but in the meantime I'll rock to X-Ray Spex!

Blessed be but Opal Jewel is my Spirit Animal!!
Opinionated AF ✔
Fashion Killah ✔
Daring ✔
Confident & Sassy ✔✔✔

My grandma always has a quote for me handy every time I go whining to her when the world (read grad school) is kicking my ass ''Believe and it shall BE!" She's all the waaaay in Kenya & I miss her so much but she's always right.

Opal came into the scene and she knew that she was going to be something special. Afro Punk RocknRoll Queen! She dared to not only take up space she ensured that she would be seared into peoples memories for all eternity. At such turbulent times when racism was everywhere, when white people did so little to hide their aggressions against us. Opals strength and confidence was positively inspiring.

However, I'll be fair by saying that I also think that Opal was quite flawed as well. At times, she could come across as bullish and overly stubborn as shown by how Jimmy and Sister Pearl would get short and frustrated with her multiple times. That's what made me love her even more though, she was multifaceted and human though.

The incident that led up to the death of Jimmy's death just goes to show how close to nothing has changed in America since 1970 and 2021. Some might say its just fiction, but is it really?

Dawnie Walton has done such an amazing job creating an amazing multifaceted heroine with the perfect balance. I related to this fictional world with reference of wash days and twist outs with the Blue Magic and Hot Combs lol. I laughed out loud on some parts and bawled my eyes out on the most important scene.
Viva Ms Walton, Great Debut!

This book. I don’t even know where to start. I have never taken notes on a fiction book (outside of school) but a quarter way through The Final Revival of Opal & Nev I knew that I had to somehow keep track of my thoughts. This book is incredible, gut-wrenching, thought-provoking, and challenging. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It took me twice as long to read it than I expected because each word is chosen with such care. You have to pay attention to all the nuances packed in each word, each sentence. This book is such a searing commentary and indictment of the past and current state of gender, race, capitalism, police brutality, politics. It hammers home the fact that everything is political and staying silent or declaring your actions apolitical IS political and frequently a form of violence. I won’t go through all my notes, one, because there are too many and two, because I don’t want to spoil any part of this stunning book. What I will say though, is that Dawnie Walton has written one of the most perfect books I have ever read and shined a light on a Black woman’s experiences in a world and industry made by and for white men.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fantastic, I really enjoyed reading every bit of it.

This book had come up on a lot of lists of 'ones to look out for in 2021'. so I jumped at the chance to read it. It centers on the fictitious afro-punk duo, Opal & Nev, how they got catapulted into the limelight in the early seventies, before Nev became a household name as a solo artist. The book is set in 2016 when Opal and Nev are about to embark on a reunion tour.

Written in an oral history format its easy to get to forget that you are reading fiction. Everything was so vivid, that I felt a deep connection to the events described and was fully immersed with the characters and their stories; rooting for some, hoping that others would have their comeuppance. What I really liked was that this was not just the story of the band but an excellent social-political commentary on key historical events that happened during the time period covered, juxtaposed with our current climate, highlighting both how far we've come but also how little has changed. Thought-provoking yet highly entertaining read. Opal just might be my favourite ever character.

This book is something special.

Told in oral history format, you would be forgiven for thinking that it is a true story. It is told in interview style with editor's notes added in.

Opal Jewel and Nev Charles are an unlikely duo. She is a Black American woman and he is a redheaded Englishman.

S. Sunny Shelton is editor at Aural magazine and is writing a book on Opal and Nev, following a potential opportunity for the two of them to play together for the first time in decades.

We discover how Opal and Nev came to be, their childhood backgrounds and it follows the rise and fall of their musical careers. There is a personal aspect to this too. Sunny is the daughter of Jimmy Curtis, a backing drummer for the duo. Opal had an affair with Jimmy whilst Sunny's mother was pregnant with her.

The crux of this story is the Rivington Showcase. Opal and Nev are signed to Rivington records in the early 70s and the label decide to host a showcase gig of all of the bands they have signed. One of the bands, the Bond Brothers, carry a Confederate flag and this then causes a riot. Jimmy is tragically beaten to death by the bands racist supporters.

Racial divides, Black Lives Matter and the Me Too movement are prominent features throughout the book and the Showcase lights even more of a fire under Opal when it comes to activism and helping minorities. It touches on real life events like the Watergate scandal and I loved the fictitious transcripts from real people like Quentin Tarantino, Henry Rollins and Tom Morello.

It is so beautifully written and I was totally immersed in this world. It is full of depth, following a lot more than just their time together. The characters are fleshed out and I genuinely felt like I was watching a documentary on an old 70s band while reading.