The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

Hardcover, 368 pages

English language

Published by 37 Ink.

ISBN:
978-1-5294-1449-3
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5 stars (3 reviews)

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, …

4 editions

Review of 'The Final Revival of Opal and Nev' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

3.5 rounding up to 4 stars. Full disclosure: I really enjoyed Daisy Jones & the Six and headed into this hoping for a similar experience since the format (a compilation of interview snippets with the people behind the music) was the same. Which goes to show: comparison is the thief of joy. Had I listened to this without the comparison, I think I would've enjoyed it more. This story has more to sink your teeth into since it's not just about a band and romance (as Daisy Jones was) but also about the ongoing struggle for racial justice. As much as I enjoyed the format for Daisy Jones, I found myself wishing this story were told in a more conventional structure. I wanted to spend time with the characters and follow them for more unbroken time, without having other perspectives interjected like popcorn. I felt like the format distracted from …

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rated it

5 stars

Subjects

  • Historical fiction
  • Music history
  • Rock & Roll
  • Music Journalism
  • Black Civil Rights Movement
  • Detroit
  • 1970s