Dawnie Walton’s ‘Final Revival of Opal & Nev’ wins Mark Twain award

“The Final Revival of Opal & Nev,” written by Dawnie Walton, has been chosen for the 2022 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award, The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford announced on Sunday.

The award is given annually to a book that “speaks with a distinctly American voice about uiquely American experiences,” in the tradition of Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”

“Opal & Nev” tells the story of an interracial rock duo that becomes famous in the 1970s. The group then breaks up. When they announce a reunion years later, unpleasant secrets come to the surface.

Walton’s book was chosen from 60 eligible titles. The short list also included “Damnation Spring” by Ash Davidson, “The Five Wounds” by Kirsten Valdez Quade and “Virtue” by Hermione Hoby.

Last year’s award winner was Stephen Graham Jones’ “The Only Good Indians.” Other previous winners include Ocean Vuong’s “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous,” Jesmyn Ward’s “Sing, Unburied, Sing,” Bill Beverly’s “Dodgers” and T.C. Boyle’s “The Harder They Come.”

The award, which comes with a $25,000 prize, will be presented on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. at a dinner gala at the Twain house. Author David Baldacci, the award’s benefactor, will present it to Walton, who will read at the event.

Those who want to attend the dinner ceremony on Nov. 4, which is $175 per person, can register at marktwainhouse.org/mtavlcelebration.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.