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breeinreadingland's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Grief, Racism, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Sexual harassment
prettycloud's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is so compelling. So concise and yet with such gorgeous visuals and descriptions of music, so focused and yet so devoted to the nuances of the story and the supporting cast. It reads like a book written by a journalist, asking important questions and pushing the reader to think critically, but never dragging the way more self-indulgent literary books do. It focuses on racism, sexism, misogynoir, and the far-reaching effects of structural inequality and subcultural resistance, and yet it comes off emotionally real rather than preachy. If you liked "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," you're likely to get a lot out of this one too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Police brutality, Sexism, Violence, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Blood, Cursing, and Addiction
Minor: Abortion, Car accident, Medical content, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
This book is ultimately more adventurous than dark in tone, so though it shows racist violence and bigoted attitudes, it lingers more on subcultural connection, healing, and inspiration. The book centers around the death of the narrator's Black father during the riot that launched the eponymous band to stardom, and the narrator's ongoing quest to learn more about that night and its key players. One of the key players is at the time of narration dying of cancer. There is a twist related to that night, but no surprise violence or illness or anything.ame_lepage's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
If I could describe this story in a few words, I would say that it's Daisy Jones & the Six with Black Lives Matter.
Of course, I think it wouldn’t be fair to reduce this story to a copy of Daisy Jones, but I think it is relevant for fans of Daisy Jones to know that you might find a new favorite story in this book.
We follow a pretty big cast of characters, but mainly Opal Jewel and Nev Charles, who both come from very different backgrounds. Opal is a black American, while Nev is white and comes from Britain. They form an unlikely pair, but they will be brought into the spotlight when they start making music together. People that have had an impact in their lives over the years will also share their version of things.
I would like to start off by saying that Daisy Jones being one of my favorite books of all time, I have made a lot of comparisons between the two books from the beginning. Therefore, my opinion might not be completely objective.
The strongest aspect of this novel certainly is the discussion surrounding racism. I feel like it covered every single declination of racism. I wouldn't say The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is a book only about racism, but I would say that it is a common thread throughout the entire story. Opal's voice was very evocative for the reader and I learned a lot from her.
I would say this book had one major flaw: the format/narration style.
First, this book is in an interview format, which I absolutely adore. At least, usually.
Secondly, in this book, the interviewer’s father had an affair with Opal and was killed during one of the duo's shows. The interviewer therefore has a very personal connection to Opal’s story. That’s why she is the one writing their book. This fact, in itself, isn't a flaw.
However, it made the formatting of the book very unrealistic.
I was reading a book that was supposed to be a kind of biographical, non-fiction about fictional characters. What you get is a woman, using Opal and Nev's story and partnership, to find out everything she can about her father.
If it wasn't supposed to be a kind of biography, I would have been fine with that. But when you're supposed to read about the duo's story and you get an editor's note at each three chapter, it loses its realism. An editor is supposed to be impartial. It doesn't mean that they can't have a personal connection to the subjects, but it is in their job description not to push their own beliefs and assumptions in the narrative. I felt like the editor pushed their own experience in a book that wasn't supposed to be about them.
I don't feel like I have read a book about Opal & Nev. I feel like I have read about about a girl and her father and that telling Opal and Nev's story was just a means to an end.
In general, it wasn't a bad book, but it's formatting was really a miss for me. I would still recommend it because what was a problem for me might not be a problem for you.
Of course, I think it wouldn’t be fair to reduce this story to a copy of Daisy Jones, but I think it is relevant for fans of Daisy Jones to know that you might find a new favorite story in this book.
We follow a pretty big cast of characters, but mainly Opal Jewel and Nev Charles, who both come from very different backgrounds. Opal is a black American, while Nev is white and comes from Britain. They form an unlikely pair, but they will be brought into the spotlight when they start making music together. People that have had an impact in their lives over the years will also share their version of things.
I would like to start off by saying that Daisy Jones being one of my favorite books of all time, I have made a lot of comparisons between the two books from the beginning. Therefore, my opinion might not be completely objective.
The strongest aspect of this novel certainly is the discussion surrounding racism. I feel like it covered every single declination of racism. I wouldn't say The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is a book only about racism, but I would say that it is a common thread throughout the entire story. Opal's voice was very evocative for the reader and I learned a lot from her.
I would say this book had one major flaw: the format/narration style.
First, this book is in an interview format, which I absolutely adore. At least, usually.
Secondly, in this book, the interviewer’s father had an affair with Opal and was killed during one of the duo's shows. The interviewer therefore has a very personal connection to Opal’s story. That’s why she is the one writing their book. This fact, in itself, isn't a flaw.
However, it made the formatting of the book very unrealistic.
I was reading a book that was supposed to be a kind of biographical, non-fiction about fictional characters. What you get is a woman, using Opal and Nev's story and partnership, to find out everything she can about her father.
If it wasn't supposed to be a kind of biography, I would have been fine with that. But when you're supposed to read about the duo's story and you get an editor's note at each three chapter, it loses its realism. An editor is supposed to be impartial. It doesn't mean that they can't have a personal connection to the subjects, but it is in their job description not to push their own beliefs and assumptions in the narrative. I felt like the editor pushed their own experience in a book that wasn't supposed to be about them.
I don't feel like I have read a book about Opal & Nev. I feel like I have read about about a girl and her father and that telling Opal and Nev's story was just a means to an end.
In general, it wasn't a bad book, but it's formatting was really a miss for me. I would still recommend it because what was a problem for me might not be a problem for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexual violence
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