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The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

By: Dawnie Walton
Narrated by: Priya Ayyar, Matthew Lloyd Davies, David Sadzin, Dennis Boutsikaris, Fiona Hardingham, Gabra Zackman, George Newbern, Inés del Castillo, Jackie Sanders, James Langton, Janina Edwards, Leon Nixon, Pete Simonelli
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Summary

A queen of punk before her time. A duo on the brink of stardom. A night that will define their story for ever.

Opal is a fiercely independent young woman pushing against the grain in her style and attitude, a Black punk artist before her time. Despite her unconventional looks, Opal believes she can be a star. So when the aspiring British singer/songwriter Neville Charles discovers her one night, she takes him up on his offer to make rock music together.

In early '70s 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 politicised chapter, but as her interviews dig deeper, a nasty new allegation from an unexpected source threatens everything.

Provocative and haunting, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev introduces a bold new name in contemporary fiction and a heroine the likes of which we've not seen in storytelling.

Full list of narrators: Priya Ayyar, Matthew Lloyd Davies, David Sadzin, Dennis Boutsikaris, Fiona Hardingham, Gabra Zackman, George Newbern, Inés del Castillo, Jackie Sanders, James Langton, Janina Edwards, Leon Nixon, Matthew Lloyd Davies, Pete Simonelli, Priya Ayyar, Robin Miles, Steve West

©2021 Dawnie Walton (P)2021 Simon & Schuster Audio
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Critic reviews

"One of the most immersive novels I've ever read...a thrilling work." (Ta-Nehisi Coates)

"An absolutely brilliant book." (Sara Collins)

"One of the books of the year." (Stylist)

What listeners say about The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

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This is a fantastic audio production.

I really recommend consuming this novel via audio if at all possible as I should imagine it's the best way to differentiate between all the different colourful characters featured.

On one level this is very entertaining and upsetting in equal measure spoof aural history of a spoof of a 1970s Anglo American pop duo and on another it says something important about racism sexism and capitalism on both sides of the Atlantic.

I think fans of Daisy Jones and the Six would really like this as they are similar in both Audio and print. I would say The Final Rival of Opal And New has another strand to it though.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Stunning

Wonderful story and very vividly told. Hope to see more of this writer. Totally gripping and well narrated.

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10/10, no notes

This was the most sublime book. I initially read the physical book and loved it, but I love the audio version even more. The narrators are excellent. The characters are so vividly written and the story is captivating. Above all, I love how real everything and everyone seemed.

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Absolutely loved this!

I have to admit that when I first started listening to the audiobook I thought the numerous VO’s - who had to state their name each time they spoke - would really grate on me. I was so wrong, Infact I would say this is definitely a book that benefits from being in audio format.
As for the story, I loved the documentary style approach - naming and associating the fictional story with real people, artists, music and events.
It’s a riveting story. OK one or two bits felt a tad long in places, but nothing to diminish the narrative.
I finished the book wanting to hear Nev & Opals music and wishing Opal Jewel actually existed. The world definitely needs more of her kind!

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Boring

No intrigue. Just a really dull book. I always try to persevere with books but couldn’t push myself to finish this one it was so bad.

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Interminable

Full disclosure: this was a book club choice; I doubt I would have selected it for myself. I could not engage with the characters, which I think was down to the way the book is structured. It ended up feeling like the rough notes for an documentary on some obscure band. The underlying story was skinny and could have been told more succinctly and compellingly using a conventional narrative. I could barely wait for it to end.

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