Book Review: The Final Revival of Opal and Nev

Review Written By: Ryn Baginski

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton is so freaking good. It’s Daisy Jones & the Six dialed up to 11.

Now, I’ll admit that this book already has a lot of elements I like—oral history format, the plot centered around musicians, NYC setting—but this is an objectively superb novel. Dawnie Walton knows what she wants to say and how to say it in the most effective way possible. If this book were a PB&J, the peanut butter and jelly would be perfectly balanced and spread over the entire piece of bread. Each bite, pure satisfaction. 

Opal Jewel is a badass Afropunk singer from Detroit who pairs up with Nev Charles, a white English singer/songwriter who is trying to find a musical partner. Thanks to the unique fashion style curated by her best friend, Opal becomes part of the avant-garde scene in New York City. They team up after Nev sees Opal perform at an underground venue and the duo signs to a label that, unfortunately, also signs an outspoken and racist band. Violence and chaos ensue, and readers get to see how two very close yet vastly different people react to the same racist experiences.

While reading, I never doubted that this was a real story. Part of this is to do with the oral history format (including “editor notes” that add a whole other layer), but a lot of it is to do with Walton’s writing and creation of a story and characters that feel incredibly real. The rock ’n’ roll scene in 1970s NYC already has so much atmosphere, but these characters really make it clear that it was individual people that made the scene what it was. Nev’s character is that of a white ally trying his best but not always hitting the mark, swept up in the excitement. Opal’s character is empowering and flawed and outrageous all at once.

“Looking the way I did, and as poor, as we were, how did I not just let life run me over? I’m sorry, I don’t usually use this word, but it’s because fuck that” (page 37).

Opal’s boldness comes straight out of the 21st century and sometimes errs on the side of recklessness, but even when he disagrees with Opal, Nev tries to support her. He doesn’t always succeed, and they ultimately end up parting ways. Their eventual split creates the illusion that you are witnessing a finite moment in time that will never be repeated, but paradoxically has never really ended for the people involved. Their shared passion and experiences form a lasting bond between the two no matter how far their paths diverge. Because no one really knows what that moment was like except each other. 

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is a story that takes place in the 1970s, but its themes are still incredibly relevant. Artists still get exploited by industry professionals. Some Americans still fly the Confederate flag. Racism-motivated riots still happen. White people still perform their activism without communicating with those they are trying to support. (I am no exception to this, either. Communication about race is only just becoming a larger conversation, and I have certainly made mistakes in the past.)

I cannot truly attest to the relatability or actual reality of this story as I haven’t experienced racism directed toward me, but I don’t always read to relate. I read to think and become more empathetic. This book has value in many ways--as a story, as a statement, as a piece of art--and the rush of Opal and Nev’s tumultuous music career sucks you in like a strong undertow you can’t swim away from. To paraphrase a certain forgetful fish, you’ll want to “just keep swimming.”