I couldn’t get into this one at all. DNF at 15% after the main character compared her mother to a nazi. Its 2024, why are we still saying comparisons like this

Diva by Daisy Goodwin opens up the fictionalized world of Maria Callas and her affair/romance with Aristotle Onassis. I read this all in the news as it was happening but this book captures the essence of the woman behind the headlines. She was a woman that never felt loved, not by her mother, her husband, and often not by Onassis, although he came the closest. Sadly, in this story he came off as a user, a very rich user, interested in a woman only for the cache she could lend him. He was married when Callas fell in love with him. That fact mattered to her, but never to him. Callas had a reputation as a diva, but according to this book that is not entirely true. She took exceptionally good care of her voice and refused to perform if she was not at her best. This was an extremely readable book about an exceptional talent who was taken advantage of by nearly everyone in her life. It is beyond sad.

Good job, Goodwin. Thoroughly researched and true to the protagonist, you have done an amazing job portraying this woman as sympathetic, lonely, and a slave to her talent.

I was invited to read Diva by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #DaisyGoodwin #Diva #MariaCallas

Synopsis: This is a historical fiction novel about Maria Callas, the famous opera singer. The book begins with just a short prologue providing us with information with respect to her first voice teacher and the fractious relationship that Maria had with her mother. The majority of the novel takes place during Maria’s affair with Aristotle Onassis and ends with the marriage of Onassis to Jackie Kennedy.

My thoughts: Prior to reading this book, I didn’t know very much about Maria Callas other than she was an opera singer and that she had had an affair with Onassis. I found this book fascinating and while it is historical “fiction”, a lot of it was definitely confirmable on the internet. While it took her a while to warm to Onassis, she ended up falling madly in love with him and they travelled together, not only in luxury, but also in celebrity circles including Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Princess Grace and Prince Rainier, Lee Radziwill, and Jackie Kennedy. She was devastated when she learned in the press that Aristotle was marrying Jackie. I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected and I gave it 4/5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a review copy of this book.

Great book. I love the story of Ari and Maria Callas and was fascinated by her humble beginnings and the reference to her using her voice as spending gold coins and to use the “coins” wisely! Thanks for the link to read the book!

As always, Daisy Goodwin shares an intelligent, fascinating story that kept me up way too late reading. In DIVA, she tells the story of Maria Callas, phenomenally talented opera singer passionately entwined with Aristotle Onassis until he casts her from the center of his life to marry widow Jacqueline Kennedy, an ultimate in beautiful, famous, and well-connected. One thing that I loved about this story is that it is not the obvious one I'd known from the media, the simplified version of a perplexing triangle between three fascinating, powerful individuals. The story is so well-written, such a pleasure to read, bringing the dismissed and misunderstood Callas to her dynamic and amazing reality. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

New York Times bestselling author Daisy Goodwin returns with DIVA, a glamorous story of the scandalous love affair between the most celebrated opera singer and one of the wealthiest men in the world.

Maria Callas was known as a DIVA, with her magnificent voice, beauty, and flair for the dramatic — celebrated, famed, and honored by the grandest opera houses throughout the world. Insightful, an immersive tale that transports you to Europe during the mid-1900s and the life of “La Divina” Maria Callas.

Raised in Nazi-occupied Greece by a mother who mercilessly exploited her golden voice, they did not have a good relationship. She learned early in life to protect herself from those who would use her for their ends.

She is wowed by the rich Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis and falls madly in love, introduced to a world of luxury and showered with jewels and other famous and influential celebrities. They were together for nine years. She craved security and faithfulness but did not get the faithfulness.

Their love affair was suddenly over, and Aristotle Onassis would marry the most famous woman in the world, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, leaving Maria.

The author, Daisy Goodwin, brings to life a woman we have read about, a woman of talent, but only in the heartbreak of losing her love did he find her true voice. He did not make her feel safe.

I enjoyed learning about the life of Maria Callas, her childhood, and her sister, Jackie, who was her mom's favorite. She used her talent to help her family, but it appeared they did not appreciate it. Maria married Giovanni Meneghini, who often took advantage of her, expecting her to perform when not up to it.

Beautifully written, a compelling inside story of Maria Callas, her insecurities, dysfunctional family, fears, desires, and talents to the rise and fame as one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century.

The novel is broken out into Acts One, Two, Three, and the Final Curtain, with globe-trotting as Callas performs in the classic opera houses of Europe and the US from the 50s to 60s with glitz and glamour.

DIVA is a compelling, absorbing historical fiction, meticulously researched with vivid settings and characterization—of love, art, and ambition— a spectacular fictionalized account of the life of famed opera singer Maria Callas. Elegant, visceral, and tragic.

AUDIOBOOK: I enjoyed the e-book and the audiobook narrated by a favorite award-winning, the fabulous Lorelei King, which includes a bonus conversation between the author and her singing teacher, soprano Josephine Goddard. It also contains music from Maria Callas. I highly recommend the audiobook.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for a gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest opinion.

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@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 23, 2024
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
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Born in New York and taken back to Athens by her Greek mother, Maria Callas grew up in the shadow of her older sister until her mother discovered her incredible voice. Daisy Goodwin presents an engrossing story of Maria’s life from an unhappy overweight teen who was exploited by her mother to the chic, stylish diva who filled opera houses and performed before royalty. .It was not until she met Aristotle Onassis that she felt recognized for the woman that she was rather than just for her voice. At the time she was married to an older businessman who became her manager. Ignoring her needs and wishes, he was more concerned with the money that she could earn and became just one more person who exploited her. The rigorous training, the backstage preparations, the competition and the ever present media are presented in a way that keeps you glued to her story. She had been warned by Tina, Ari’s wife, that their affair would not last.. When the relationship ended and he married Jacqueline Kennedy she was devastated but she drew on her experiences with life and love to come back with a new understanding of the roles she played. This is a delightful book that brings Maria Callas to lie for the reader. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for my review.

Diva, by Daisy Goodwin, is a fascinating novel that takes a look at the passions—music, money and men—of famous opera singer Maria Callas.
Told in present time, circa 1968, it slips back and forth to vignettes of her early years in New York City during the Great Depression, her adolescence being pushed by her mother to earn money singing in the streets of Athens during WWII, and finally her rise to triumph as “La Divina,” the opera diva in the 1950s. As Maria is swept up by the fame and attention of celebrities of the era, the novel also becomes a who’s who of notables—Elsa Maxwell, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Franco Zeffirelli, Marilyn Monroe, and the Kennedys. Of course, her most notable connection with celebrity was her long-time love affair with billionaire Aristotle Onassis, and sadly, her connection to and betrayal by Ari is one of the most memorable notes of her time in the spotlight.
The details of her relatively short life—1923-1979—are rich in this tome, and kept me fully engaged in her story, describing her “gift” of the soaring soprano voice and its light that burned so bright, then her final years in isolation, and her death in Paris at age 53.
Throughout the book, Maria is portrayed as passionate about her art. She is also well aware of the limited number of “gold coins” she possesses, as the years her talent will carry her, before her voice fades, as is the destiny of many great singers, and becomes unreliable.
Growing up she was exploited by her mother, who called her ugly and fat, and openly favored Maria’s sister, Jackie. As an adult she was also exploited and bilked by her husband/manager Tita, and then famously betrayed by the serial womanizer Ari Onassis, who set Maria aside when he wooed and wed Jackie Kennedy.
Goodwin’s writing is colorful and detailed, from descriptions of opera houses, to jewelry, to the lifestyles of the wealthy celebrities of the time. The story drew me into feeling kindly, and sadly sentimental, for the woman inside the Diva.
This is a tale of survival, hard work, and the tenuous threads of talent and fame which defined the life of “La Divina” Maria Callas.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review

I knew of Maria Callas but not about her. This is an interesting fictionalized look at her life and career, her drive for and focus on career and success and her relationship with Aristotle Onassis.

Having been a fan of Daisy Godwin’s previous books I was so looking forward to this read and have totally enjoyed every minute. Thankfully it was a rare rainy morning in southern CA as I have enjoyed sitting on my couch immersed in this incredible historical fiction about the famous Maria Callas. I admit to knowing very little about her other than she sang opera and was in a relationship with Aristotle Onassis. Godwin’s writing brought her into the room with me - a living breathing powerful woman so very helplessly in love with a man who truly did not deserve her. Her childhood background helped shape the woman she became - strong, competitive, contemptuous of others she felt did not earn their place in the world. I understood her conflicted feelings about both her mother and her sister, knowing that those emotions served as the impetus for her competitive nature. Her mother showed her true colors but I did feel sorry for Jackie, her sister. I was actually shocked that she stayed married to her husband, Tita, as he was not looking out for her best interests and seemed like such a weak character.

I avidly read of her incredible grueling preparations for her performances and will definitely be listening to at least one recording. The description of Greece and the history involved was also fascinating. The descriptions of her costumes, designed for her performances as well as her time aboard the Christina, were fascinating.

The instant electric connection she felt upon meeting Onassis changed her life forever. Her love for him was all consuming. Her loss was so immense and I felt so sorry for her, especially knowing that it solved all of his problems. He must have been very charismatic given the number of women he enticed. I never knew about his connection with Grace Kelly. Lee and Jackie - so very twisted in my eyes.

Bruna was the glue that held Maria together and I so admired their connection. Elsa used her connection to befriend her and then to demean her.

Many many thanks to Daisy Goodwin, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for affording me the absolute pleasure of an opportunity to read an arc of this intriguing glimpse into the life of Maria Callas, to be published on 1-23. A true 5 star read!

I absolutely adored this book as it is a retelling of the life of Maria Callas, a diva and world famous opera singer. We start from the early stages in her life and evolve with her as she navigates her own struggles, mostly centering around her love affair. We also meet Aristotle Onassis, a man who she falls deeply in love with, despite the obstacles that were in place. For years he showered her with expensive gifts, only to never give her what she truly wanted, his commitment. I also enjoyed the various influential personalities that are mentioned throughout the novel. Because this is a historical fiction, we are introduced to historical figures that impact Maria’s life in ways that she does not expect. There is a sense of sadness throughout the book as Maria tries to fulfill her life in any way she can as she learns to navigate her fame and ever changing life. Something admirable is how we were able to see the “Diva” for who she truly was as opposed to the persona that she played up while on stage. We see her real life struggles as she worries when her career will end while simultaneously willing to end it for the man she loves. The humanizing of Maria, rather than just seeing her as a famous singer, is what makes this novel so moving and emotional. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book.
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Read if you like: character-driven books/books based on historical figures
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The book follows the life of Maria Callas, a famous Greek opera singer who embarks on a scandalous affair with one of the richest men in the world.
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Overall, the book was interesting and I had to keep reminding myself that Maria was a real person and not just a dramatic figure made up. I like how Goodwin portrayed her. One thing I wanted more of was Maria's experiences in Greece during WW2 but I understand that the author was not trying to write a WW2 novel and wanted to focus on the later part of her life!

A sweeping novel about a celebrated opera diva in the 1950’s and 1960’s. I had no knowledge of Maria Callas prior to reading this book. Daisy Goodwin explores the life of this diva and her life on and off the stage. Maria came from a humble background to grow into one of the most desire artists of her time. Love affairs, music, and the rich & famous intermix. I feel more intrigued by who Maria was and am now a fan!

Thank you NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and author Daisy Goodwin for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Highly entertaining historical fiction based on the love affair between Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis before he married Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Engaging, imaginative look into what is was like to be one of the greatest artists of all time, and the tumultuous love life she endured with the richest man in the world.

Fantastic, well written, and researched historical fiction, Daisy Goodwin enveloped me in the life of Maria Callas. I especially liked being on board the Christina with celebrities and royalty. Maria is the definition of a Diva. She had high expectations of herself and how people treated her. Borderline bitchy at times. The romance between her and Onassis was sexually charged and equally heartbreaking when her expectations of the relationship didn't add up. Also, the relationship with her mother and even her sister was explosive with resentment.

Diva had me checking people, locations, and even food I'd never heard of (chateaubriand anyone?). I even pulled up a live recording of Callas to hear her famous voice. I recommend Diva for historical fans.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy.

I love reading historical fiction. I tend to especially love novels that are based on real people and a "take" on a part moment in their life / outsiders perspective of their story. I appreciate the amount of research that goes into creating the story - especially when an author decides to write about a well known individual.

This is the story of Maria Callas. La divina. We start at the end of her relationship with Aristotle Onassis - and then make our way back to before they met, to when she started to come to term with the fact that her voice wouldn't always be there - and wouldn't always perform as needed. This is a story about a woman who, in her mid-30s finally falls in love. A woman who is willing to give up the stage if only he would pick her.

It's also about a woman who holds a grudge - against her mother and sister. Against those who never appreciated her and used her for her voice.

It's about a woman who wanted to be loved for being Maria. Not because she was Callas.

This was fine. I just think it lacked a little something for me to be completely enamoured by it. Perhaps it was my state of mind reading it, or perhaps you have to go into it having known more about Maria Callas. That said - well written, well researched and I did feel terrible for her.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This was a captivating book about Maria Callas. I enjoyed reading about her childhood and relationship with her family. It certainly explains some of her diva attitude. There was a lot more detail about her relationship with Onassis. If you’re into celebrities and Hollywood gossip you’ll enjoy this. Onassis was a big part of her life and I understand the focus for this book. But I think I would have liked to read more about her opera roles and the other relationships in her life. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

DIVA by Daisy Goodwin should be at the top of every historical fiction reader. Goodwin has outdone herself with the research into the life of Maria Callas.
There is nothing quite like learning true history through the great writing of an author. Callas's life explodes on the page in this tell-all novel filled with exotic locales and riches beyond compare. Throw in the clandestine love story between the richest man on earth and the greatest soprano. This story is on fire. I loved it.

This review will be posted on January 23, 2024 to: https://instagram.com/amandas.bookshelf

As a long-time opera fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this! (I hope a playlist of Callas' arias and scenes referenced throughout the novel will be released to accompany the novel.) I was especially curious to see how Mary Ann, the woman, would compete with Callas, the celebrated soprano. Indeed, that was one of the prime sources of conflict. I really appreciated how Callas is shown leaning in to the power of her characters to get what she wanted and to assert her independence. Goodwin never forgot the woman behind Callas and I think folks will really enjoy meeting Mary Ann too. #diva Rating: 😊 / really liked it
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This book is scheduled for publication on January 23, 2024. Thank you @stmartinspress for providing me this digital ARC via @NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review will be posted on 1/23/24

Most people know Maria Callas as the famed opera singer and longtime mistress of Aristotle Onassis, the richest man in the world. However, there is so much more to Maria than just that. Maria grew up in Greece with an overbearing mother who favored her much thinner sister, Jackie, and never really appreciated Maria's talents, but rather exploited them. This haunts Maria for the rest of her life. As she gets older and more famous in the opera world, she is then married to Meneghini, who also serves as her manager. This relationship is also toxic as he exploits her, controls her money, spends it freely and without her consent. Then comes Aristotle Onassis. He presents her with such luxury. Although he is married, she feels they are soulmates and he sees her like no one else. However, we know how things end for this fated love affair despite their actual chemistry. Once again Maria's heart is broken. Despite being one of the most talented women in the world, her personal life is in shambles. Thankfully, Maria eventually finds her way. Daisy Goodwin's Diva is a deep dive into Maria Callas, specifically looking at the 1950s and 1960s, her career, and her love affair with Ari.

Maria can be rough around the edges in Diva, but I liked that about her. She works hard and holds herself to a high standard. After losing a part due to her weight, she was determined to become healthier and succeeded even more. She brushes elbows with Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and royalty like the Duke of Windsor and Princess Grace. Ari takes her gorgeous places aboard his yacht, Christina. She lives a life of luxury, but her personal life has always been difficult. Her husband exploits her career and controls her money poorly. This was difficult to watch and what broke my heart was that she trusted him. I was glad to see her divorce him. But then she enters a relationship with Ari, which is heartbreaking. She tried to be independent from him, but they kept finding each other again and again. I don't like Ari, as he is present in many of the books I've read about the Kennedys and Jackie, so I may have gone into this with a lot of bias, but he was manipulative and cruel. I think Maria could do a lot better, and in the end, their tumultuous love affair broke her heart. But don't count out Maria!

While I really enjoyed Diva, it's not my favorite of Goodwin's biographical fiction novels. I feel like she could have fleshed more more about Maria's relationship with her mother and sister as this seemed to be where a lot of her problems first started. Readers get to witness her childhood through flashbacks in Diva, which provide insight as to why Maria acts the way she does. It was nice to see her get all the attention in this novel after reading about her through the many biographies of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and the Kennedy family; she is a force and deserves her own story. Fans of historical fiction will relish the chance to learn more about a renowned and internationally acclaimed woman in music. I know Diva made me Google Maria and pull up videos of her singing and hear her stunning voice for myself.

Do you plan to read Diva this winter? Are you a fan of Daisy Goodwin or interested in Maria Callas? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.