I worried that Sunny’s own arc, primarily focused on the challenges of being the first Black editor of Aural, a legacy music publication, might start to feel sidelined or extraneous, given that it appeared only in editorial notes between the chapters.I should have had faith: Walton structured this book masterfully. The first half of the book builds to a fuller account of the climactic event in the story’s past, and I wondered whether there would be enough narrative momentum left for the second half. At times, I held my breath, wondering if the novel could sustain its tightrope act - balancing its array of voices, its fictional history with actual history, its affection for Opal with the clarity of its portrait of her, its interest in Sunny herself with the story Sunny purportedly set out to tell. It is refreshing to read a book that centers a Black woman who has this many layers, a book that seeks neither to save her from nor punish her for the flaws that make her human. The fake-documentary format gives Virgil’s and Pearl’s voices room to shine and sometimes gently push back against Opal’s story of how she invented herself. Opal can be selfish, defensive and oblivious to what gets lost in pursuit of her own ambition or desire.
Opal’s confidence is hard-won and triumphant, but it’s also connected to the messier things that make her a fascinating fictional character rather than a martyr. How wonderful it is to watch Walton build that complexity, starting with Opal’s fraught music industry debut. Walton brilliantly uses the unfolding story of the present to unspool the hidden story of the past. 'An absolutely brilliant book' SARA COLLINS 'Musical and revolutionary' JASON REYNOLDS 'A marvellous musical tale of friendship, betrayal, and the power that comes with self-reclamation' LAYLA SAAD 'Fantastic.
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. Sunny thought she knew most of the stories leading up to the cult duo's most politicized chapter, but as her interviews dig deeper, a nasty new allegation from an unexpected source threatens everything. Sunny Shelton seizes the chance to curate an oral history about her idols.
Decades later, as Opal considers a 2016 reunion with Nev, music journalist S. 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. 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. 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. Despite her unconventional looks, Opal believes she can be a star. Opal is a fiercely independent young woman pushing against the grain in her style and attitude, a Black punk artist before her time. A night that will define their story for ever. warm and wonderful' Kiley Reid A queen of punk before her time. ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S FAVOURITE BOOKS OF 2021 LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE 2022 'A thrilling work' Ta-Nehisi Coates 'Lovely and lyrical.
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