Book: The Final Revival of Opal & Nev
Author: Dawnie Walton
My Rating: 4 Fist Pumps
Y’all, I miss live music so much. I would pay an exorbitant amount of money to see a band I don’t even like at this point. I just want to be at a concert!! There’s just something about the energy in a venue with live music, and people singing along. There’s always a point in a concert where you realize everyone is singing the same song, and the song means something different to every person in the room. There’s just nothing like it…but I’ll tell you, this book comes very close. It gave me concert feelings.
First of all, this book is such a unique storytelling style, and so well done that I was convinced it was non-fiction. I was trying to google Opal Jewel because she just had to be a real person. It’s reminiscent of VH1 Behind the Music, or a really in depth Rolling Stone interview. S. Sunny Shelton, the first black female Editor in Chief at Aural Magazine is writing a book about Opal and Nev’s early days pioneering the punk rock scene in the early seventies. Now, in 2016 there are rumors that the duo might be getting back together. And as Sunny pieces together the story she uncovers a dirty secret decades hidden.
This story left me grasping for words to describe it. I’ve already heard some comparing it to another rock and roll fiction – Daisy Jones and The Six – and yes, the storytelling style is similar. But honestly, I think comparing this book to anything is just doing it a disservice. The events written here, particularly a riot that skyrockets Opal & Nev into musical and political icons, are all too realistic. A famous photograph is taken and then reproduced over and over again until people don’t even know where the photo came from, or who Opal & Nev even were. I felt like I could see the evolution of the photograph in the newspapers, as a poster taped to a bedroom wall, screen printed onto t-shirts, etc. Dawnie Walton’s descriptions of concerts and music festivals were insanely accurate. As a music lover, it was a decadent read, especially considering how badly I want to be at a concert again. She captured the energy and the emotion perfectly.
Now, understand that this book is basically an oral history of a fictional band. So there is a lot of dialogue, and I mean A LOT. At times, I just had to put the book down and read something with a little action. Talking is great, but I don’t typically read such dialogue heavy stories. Because of this, it took me a month to finish this one and I almost decided not to finish it. However, I’m so glad that I did. Overall, I enjoyed it. But it wasn’t just an indulgent book for music junkies, it was also a raw and uncomfortable look at racism, at activism, at people’s ability to justify their actions, and at their inability to accept responsibility. I want to warn you, it’s a book about punk rock. There are references to all the things you would expect (sex, drugs, rock and roll, etc.) But none of it seems excessive or over the top. I can’t say that I think everyone will enjoy this one, because it definitely has some uncomfortable moments. All I can say is I’m glad I read it, and I think it’s one that’s going to stick with me for a while.
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev will be released on March 30.
Krystle Goodman is a crazy cat lady, who loves to drink exorbitant amounts of coffee, and read a shocking amount of books. She lives in Benton with her husband Josh, her son Roman, and their two cats Roxanne and Abby. When she isn’t reading, you’ll find her cooking, painting, or watching true crime shows. Watch for Krystle’s book reviews every other Friday. Send fanmail to: [email protected]
See more of Krystle’s reviews at www.mysaline.com/krystle.