Representation and its significance take center stage in Dawnie Walton’s debut. Inspired by the author’s own deep desire for an Afro-punk role model during her teenage years, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is a fictionalized account of Opal Jewel, a Black singer ahead of her time navigating the world of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1970s.
Readers will appreciate Walton’s examination of the entertainment world, particularly the industry’s attempts to center whiteness and contain women. Through a vivid cast of characters and a slow build, readers witness the power of being seen and of being looked out for. The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is an utterly absorbing addition to contemporary fiction.This article originally appeared in the Spring 2021 print edition of BUST Magazine.
Tags: Dawnie Walton , The Final Revival of Opal & Nev , Books , Rock n Roll , Music , Music Industry , Book Review