The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

Written by Dawnie Walton

Narrated by Janina Edwards, Bahni Turpin, James Langton and 5 more

2022 FICTION AUDIE AWARD WINNER!

An electrifying novel about the meteoric rise of an iconic interracial rock duo in the 1970s, their sensational breakup, and the dark secrets unearthed when they try to reunite decades later for one last tour.

A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BUZZ PICK
NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2021 BY BARACK OBAMA * THE WASHINGTON POST * NPR * ESQUIRE * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY * GOODREADS * THE MILLIONS * READER’S DIGEST * PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER * EERIE READER * PUBLIC RADIO TULSA * CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY * KIRKUS REVIEWS

“Feels truer and more mesmerizing than some true stories. It’s a packed time capsule that doubles as a stick of dynamite.” —THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

Opal is a fiercely independent young woman pushing against the grain in her style and attitude, Afro-punk before that term existed. Coming of age in Detroit, she can’t imagine settling for a 9-to-5 job—despite her unusual looks, Opal believes she can be a star. So when the aspiring British singer/songwriter Neville Charles discovers her at a bar’s amateur night, she takes him up on his offer to make rock music together for the fledgling Rivington Records.

In early seventies New York City, just as she’s finding her niche as part of a flamboyant and funky creative scene, a rival band signed to her label brandishes a Confederate flag at a promotional concert. Opal’s bold protest and the violence that ensues set off a chain of events that will not only change the lives of those she loves, but also be a deadly reminder that repercussions are always harsher for women, especially black women, who dare to speak their truth.

Decades later, as Opal considers a 2016 reunion with Nev, music journalist S. Sunny Shelton seizes the chance to curate an oral history about her idols. Sunny thought she knew most of the stories leading up to the cult duo’s most politicized chapter. But as her interviews dig deeper, a nasty new allegation from an unexpected source threatens to blow up everything.

Provocative and chilling, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev features a backup chorus of unforgettable voices, a heroine the likes of which we’ve not seen in storytelling, and a daring structure, and introduces a bold new voice in contemporary fiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Mar 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797118505

Dawnie Walton

Dawnie Walton is a fiction writer and journalist whose work explores identity, place, and the influence of pop culture. She has won fellowships from the MacDowell Colony and the Tin House Summer Workshop, and earned her MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Previously, she worked as an executive-level editor for magazine and multimedia brands, including Essence, Entertainment Weekly, Getty Images, and LIFE. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, she lives with her husband in Brooklyn.

Reviews for The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

[Winston Green · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best book of the year—so far. A spot-on commentary about race, class snd money set against the music and pop culture of the times - 1970’s to today’s BLM movement.

[Tanja · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The audiobook has the different voices of each character and helps the story flow well. The narrative is weaved in a way that I thought it was a biography. Well done!

[Liam Randall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I went on faith for this one. It far exceeded my expectations. I'll be 70 next year, and this took me back to my younger days, a music nerd into Duke Ellington, Aaron Copland, the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Jethro Tull, Steely Dan, AND Steeleye Span. And later k. d. lang, The Dixie Dregs, The Dixie Chicks, The Decemberists. I would have caught on to Opal and Nev on the next go around, as I did Led Zep and Pearl Jam. This is an essential listen, especially if you love rock and roll, and look for strong lyrics and a good reason to fall into a song. Or if you just dig a great tale, well-told. Old white dude, out.

[Taiwo Yetunde Williams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A Soaring, amazing novel; I loved it.
One of my best reads of 2021.

[Angel Gilliard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book, the orators gave life to this book. I had to research to see if it was indeed fiction. Worth a listen.

[Tracy Thomas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Felt like a true story from the beginning! I literally tried researching the characters. I wanted to know more about them. Is this the beginning of a book series? ?

[Alexandre Bellemare · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Production value is outstanding. Great performances. Really liked but didn’t love this book. Overall worth a listen.

[Shawana Purnell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

From start to finish, I was invested. Very hard to believe this was the author's very first novel. So, so good! It while it touches on some many themes, it never loses plot or focus. Definitely goes to the top of my list of best reads for 2021

[Dayna Bennett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For fans of Daisy Jones and the Six with a relevant message for today’s civic unrest around race and what it’s like to be black (and a woman) in America - and the music industry. Fantastically narrated (Bhani Turpin is one of my faves!) it’s serious can’t put down stuff. Loved it, start to finish. Go Opal!

[Cheryl Vandemore · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So convincing I found myself Googling a fictional singer! Really enjoyable and unpredictable (for me anyway) read. Topical but not preachy.

[Matthew Heisler · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun story that I can see being made into a movie. Well written and well read. If you love music and a good story it’s a must read

[Erin Osadjan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

the ending felt a bit rushed in my opinion, otherwise this book was a 100/10. i loved the interview style of how the book was read and how we learn different sides of the story. i absolutely recommended everyone read this book.

[Kayla Mayhugh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For whatever reason, I had a hard time connecting to the first 45ish minutes of this book. I am sooo glad I stuck with it because it is probably one of my favorite books of all time now. The way the author blends fiction with reality seems effortless and reminds you that while this is a story, it comes from a very real, very important place. I would love to meet Opal in real life. In the meantime, I'll just listen to this book again.

[sharon lewis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The honesty of the times. The fact that the times haven’t really changed. Women still don’t have the same power as men. People who aren’t white still aren’t treated with the same respect and equality as white. That respect and equality can’t be legislated, it is going to have to happen in the heads and hearts of all the people of all colors and economic stations.

[Tess Fox · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

transported me to my old flier child hippie days ?

[Anita Grimm-Hohl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

These characters feel so real, I just want to be able to hear their songs - buy the albums! Brilliant.