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coralreef's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
lisamchuk's review against another edition
4.0
The obvious comparison here is Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - but this story is maybe better? While the comparisons are strong, Opal and Nev seems to infuse more current societal influences that make this a read for the times, both a song and a story. I found it a bit of a roller coaster, enjoying certain parts more than others, but overall it was a good read.
svenseven's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Opal and nev will be reuniting for their first concert In 40 years. What led to their breakup and why are they getting tge band back together?
What an interesting look at 40 years of music. The trends and influences, who gets popular and who struggles. How does race affect your career or how people view you.
The best part if this book was the interview snippets. Seeing how different characters viewed an event differently. It was always consistent with their world view and added depth snd nuance to the events.
Opal Is the most fascinating character. Her rise to fame and struggle to regain it in her solo career. The socially conciscous punk rock of th 80's. Trying to help people in her weird and off beat way alienating the people in power that could resurrect her career.
The concert event at the end of the book did a great job putting you in a music festival. It felt like you were there. It's a perfect ending for this book.
What an interesting look at 40 years of music. The trends and influences, who gets popular and who struggles. How does race affect your career or how people view you.
The best part if this book was the interview snippets. Seeing how different characters viewed an event differently. It was always consistent with their world view and added depth snd nuance to the events.
Opal Is the most fascinating character. Her rise to fame and struggle to regain it in her solo career. The socially conciscous punk rock of th 80's. Trying to help people in her weird and off beat way alienating the people in power that could resurrect her career.
The concert event at the end of the book did a great job putting you in a music festival. It felt like you were there. It's a perfect ending for this book.
meghan_plethoraofpages's review against another edition
5.0
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton
A wildly impressive debut featuring a fictional 1970’s musical duo, Opal and Nev, it’s told in a flawless oral history format, where each voice is so well done, it flows so easily, conversationally. The story chronicles the group’s origins, how the pair each individually come to music, how they find one another, their rise to entering pop culture stardom. There’s been rumblings of a reunion following a twenty-plus year hiatus of the duo, and rock journalist Sunny is getting a complete picture for a possible book timed for release after their re-entry on the music scene. After a disastrous showcase in the 1970’s where the duo’s Black drummer was beaten and killed, they were thrust into the spotlight, getting their chance at stardom. Sunny is the daughter of that drummer; her research interest is not only professional but personal.
Due to the similarities of both format and time period, this book will likely be compared to Bookstagram-favourite Daisy Jones & The Six. While both music groups felt real, and were engrossing reads, that’s where the comparison can end. This book has something to SAY and it’s delivery was incredible.
Opal is this amazingly complex character; she’s a performer, she’s got nerves of steel, she’s loud, creative, and she’s not afraid to shy away from confrontation for what is right. She’s Black, and through her oral history she shows us the ugly faces of racism and sexism she’s had to face time and again. Her musical partner, Nev, is a British white guy, and their relationship, both friend & professional is slowly extracted by Sunny throughout the interviews.
The characters all felt so real; it’s a real feat. Characters make bad decisions, deal with addictions, love & betray each other, have ups and downs.. I only wish I could hear some of their music!
Overall, this is an awesome, timely, thought provoking debut novel. I’m so grateful to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for access to an e-copy of this book in change for an honest review. This publishes March 30, 2021!
A wildly impressive debut featuring a fictional 1970’s musical duo, Opal and Nev, it’s told in a flawless oral history format, where each voice is so well done, it flows so easily, conversationally. The story chronicles the group’s origins, how the pair each individually come to music, how they find one another, their rise to entering pop culture stardom. There’s been rumblings of a reunion following a twenty-plus year hiatus of the duo, and rock journalist Sunny is getting a complete picture for a possible book timed for release after their re-entry on the music scene. After a disastrous showcase in the 1970’s where the duo’s Black drummer was beaten and killed, they were thrust into the spotlight, getting their chance at stardom. Sunny is the daughter of that drummer; her research interest is not only professional but personal.
Due to the similarities of both format and time period, this book will likely be compared to Bookstagram-favourite Daisy Jones & The Six. While both music groups felt real, and were engrossing reads, that’s where the comparison can end. This book has something to SAY and it’s delivery was incredible.
Opal is this amazingly complex character; she’s a performer, she’s got nerves of steel, she’s loud, creative, and she’s not afraid to shy away from confrontation for what is right. She’s Black, and through her oral history she shows us the ugly faces of racism and sexism she’s had to face time and again. Her musical partner, Nev, is a British white guy, and their relationship, both friend & professional is slowly extracted by Sunny throughout the interviews.
The characters all felt so real; it’s a real feat. Characters make bad decisions, deal with addictions, love & betray each other, have ups and downs.. I only wish I could hear some of their music!
Overall, this is an awesome, timely, thought provoking debut novel. I’m so grateful to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for access to an e-copy of this book in change for an honest review. This publishes March 30, 2021!
pippa_monckton's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this and I really enjoyed parts of it but just found the pacing weird and I struggled to care at times
kellyhollingsworth's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
ccoulton's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75