Stuff I Read: The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton

When a reclusive proto-Afropunk legend commissions the editor of a popular trade magazine to write a memoir in advance of a comeback tour, it uncovers secrets, lies, and dirty deals all done in the name of art, music, and stardom. The intersection of race, gender, popular music, and fame is explored in Dawnie Walton’s debut, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev.

MILD SPOILERS AHEAD.

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev follows 70’s punk-before-punk icon Opal Jewel (nee Robinson) as she hires S. Sunny Shelton to write a book about her career. Opal is considering a comeback tour with her former musical partner, Neville Charles, who has become wealthy and famous since their dup broke up more than 40 years prior. Sunny’s relationship to Opal is complicated by the fact that her late father, formerly the drummer for Opal & Nev’s backing band, died in the incident that made the duo famous—while having an affair with Opal. Sunny interviews record executives, fellow artists, receptionists, and even Opal and Nev themselves, and as she unravels the story of this lightning rod of a duo, she comes across a piece of information from a questionable source that changes the context of the incident and her opinions of everyone involved.

I tore through this book in less than a week. I’ve developed a taste lately for oral history novels, because the characters are explored more deeply and precisely through the interviews than in most other storytelling styles. Opal & Nev is no exception. Everyone the narrator interviews feels so real that you’re tempted to Google search them just to make sure they’re not. On top of that, the characters feel distinct in their looks and mannerisms, from Opal shaven head (she was diagnosed with alopecia early in the story), to Nev’s bright red hair and disproportionately large laugh, to Chet’s drawl and love of the Confederate flag. I also enjoyed that the author tackled complex issues of race and sexuality—specifically Black femininity—in a way that is both era-specific (much of the story of Opal & Nev takes place in the early- to mid-1970’s) and currently relevant. Walton has accomplished something rare and noteworthy—a timeless contemporary novel.

My complaints are minor. The “Editor’s Note” portions of the story, where Sunny contextualizes the events described in the previous chapter, aren’t as compelling as the interviews themselves. Sunny’s notes take you out of the flow of the story somewhat, but not in a way that detracts from enjoying the narrative. There’s also a perspective shift in the latter portions of the book which can be a bit jarring. These are blips in an overall masterful story and are only mentioned because I was searching for something to complain about.

Last year, the best book I read was Daisy Jones & The Six. It’s fitting that another fictional oral history, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is the early front runner for this year. I can see how someone could paint this as “Daisy Jones if the characters were Black” given the era in which the stories take place and the overall similarities between the novels’ styles. And hey, if that’s what gets you in the door, I’m not mad at you. But this book is so much more than that, and I think that readers expecting more Daisy Jones are better for it.

Buy this book.

Pros: Great characters, solid interviews, riveting story, quick and compelling read

Cons: Editor’s note sections are slightly less compelling

Rating: 5 of 5 stars.