Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was looking forward to learning about Callas as I am not familiar with her, or opera in general. It started off somewhat strong, but overall, it just didn't do it for me. The author used three different names for Maria's husband and I found that to be confusing numerous times. The POV was mostly by Maria, but then it would randomly switch for a few sentences here and there, and the overall effect felt clumsy. In addition, the sex scenes were repetitive, cringey, and really didn't seem to serve a purpose to the story. I understand she is trying to portray a passionate relationship, but I found that it didn't work that well. Finally, the last 1/2 really dragged and the opera comparisons and descriptions were cumbersome. However, I am but one reader and I'm certain this will be a better fit for others.

I was in junior and senior high school when the events in this book took place. I had heard the rumors about Maria Callas and Onassis but really didn't know too much about the whole situation. I really enjoyed hearing about this whole time period from Maria's point of view. I know that this book is a fictionalized version but it feels like there is enough truth in. the book to give you a good feel for the kind of life Maria had and what was expected of her. She was a lot braver than I would have been. And Onassis? Well he comes across as a jerk!

This book is perfect for fans of old Hollywood vibes and Maria Callas.
This book tells the story of Maria Callas and her life in the 1950’s up until she ends her relationship with Ari Onassis.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. There were times where I felt the book was really slow and I also have no idea how close to the real story this book is so that is why it got 4 stars from me. Other than that, I really liked this book. I had never heard of Maria Callas before and found her life story to be quite interesting. I liked the plot and the setting. I also like the main character but I didn’t really like any of the others except for Bruna. I would recommend this book to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Diva by Daisy Goodwin

Before reading this novel, I confess to knowing very little about the famous female opera singer—the diva—Maria Callas. This book weaves the story of her extraordinary voice and career, her extravagant life, and her affair with Aristotle Onassis.

I always enjoy a book where facts combine with a compelling story, and this novel did not disappoint. However, the main characters—Maria, her husband, and Ari—were difficult to relate to. It was tough to care about or empathize with them.

This was not my favorite Daisy Goodwin book, but it was an entertaining read. Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an advance copy.

“Diva” is a historical fiction book by Daisy Goodwin. I knew a little about Maria Callas, the main character of this book, before reading this book, but a bit more than I thought I knew (if that makes sense). I knew that the affair Callas and Onassis had was electric and immediate news fodder to the newspapers and gossip columnists. I knew that both were “the most famous Greeks” and possibly could have pushed Burton and Taylor off the front page with the right story. In some ways I really liked this book - including the lovely cover. Ms. Goodwin obviously did research into this book, though I do wonder what parts were fiction or stretched for the story. I did like the parts regarding the theatre and the opera characters, as I know so little about opera (though I’m guessing if you know opera you’d find those parts a bit distracting). I did find sometimes getting people confused (it took me the longest time to realize that Maria’s husband was referred to be three names in this book - his last name, his full first name, and his abbreviated name). I did like that a number of the characters felt real - Onassis could be nasty, Maria probably was insecure but had a fiery temper, though I think other characters may have been stretched a bit. Like others, I found the ending a bit abrupt, but thinking about it, I’m not sure that it was a bad ending … there was no happy ending for Onassis and Callas, even if there became an understanding between them. I did find some of the explicit scenes uncomfortable to read, not from explicitness but from word choice, which read awkardly. Overall, I think if you know very little about Ms. Callas and Mr. Onassis you may find this an enjoyable book. For me, this is probably a 3.75 star read, rounded up to 4 stars.

This book is FABULOUS! Congratulations to Ms. Goodwin for writing the sad, emotional saga of Maria Callas. Diva is the story of the Soprano singers life, her struggles with peers, men and a manipulative mother. I learned so much from this book and have listened to Maria’s songs. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: USA, Italy, Greece
Format: 📖
Release Date: January 23, 2024
Length: 336 pages

Diva by Daisy Goodman is a fictious historical novel that is loosely based on the life of the famous Greek-American opera singer and “diva”, Maria Callas. Goodman not only explores Marie Callas gifts and amazing singing talents she exposes her relationships with a mother that used Maria as well as her failed marriage to Giovanni Battista Meneghini, known as Tita, to her most famous affair as mistress with Ari Onassis to when she was jilted by Onassis for the former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

Diva is filled with stories of career struggles, miscarriages, attempted suicides as well as a host of some very famous people – Prince Rainer and Grace Kelly, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Franco Zeffirelli, Lee Radizwell and meeting Marilyn Monroe the night both performed for President Kennedy at his birthday gala at Madison Square Garden.

I never knew who Maria Callas was and found this this novel came across more as a biographical historical fiction with unexpected sex thrown in. Whether Ms. Callas was or was not in real life, she comes across yes as a diva but a jealous, obsessive, selfish and entitled woman who allowed a man like Onassis to take advantage of her.

Diva is not what I expected – it is a rather sad story than one that paid respect to a woman that that was considered one of the greatest in the Opera world. While it did take me some time to get through, I did learn quick a bit – I listen to some of Callas recording as well as looked up some of the events mentioned in the book.

I did feel the ending was rush making the story feel a unfinished … so 3.5 stars for me.

Thank you, Daisy Goodwin, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on January 23, 2024

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I really enjoyed this book. I knew very little about Maria Callas before this book. She is portrayed as a very vivid character and I had to keep reading to see what happened next. I do struggle with books based on real people. It is hard to know how accurate it is when none of the major characters are alive.

I did find the time frame confusing, the book seems to skip around in time alot especially in Chapter 2 where it says it is New York in 1956 but each of the sub chapters designated with Roman numerals (I, II, ETC) are sometimes in different cities and time periods

Also, Chapter 6 says it is New Years Eve 1957. But it refers to a conversation with Maria’s mentor Elvira as being in the past. According to the end of Chapter 5, the conversation was in Autumn of 1958.

Princess Grace scolds Ari for never hearing Maria in an opera but he did attend one the night he bought the yellow diamonds for Her (Maria)

My thanks to St. Martin’s press for the ARC. The book was fantastic. I knew very little about Maria Callas and was pleased that her story did not leave wanting. It goes into the background of her childhood with a mother who did not appreciate her to her marriage and friends such as Franco Zefferilli. Her life and her feelings are captured extremely well in her relationship with Aristotle Onassis, a man who made being one of the world’s richest men seem fantastic. I will definitely have to study more about opera as she was amazing whenever she performed. It was a book that blended Maria the woman with Maria the world famous Diva. Highly recommend it-could not put it down!

“Diva” is the historical fiction account of the famous opera singer and once lover of Aristotle Onassis, Maria Callas, which covers the time period from 1956 until Aristotle Onassis’ marriage to Jackie Kennedy in 1968. At the beginning of the book, she is already a famous diva married to Tita Meneghini, who was also her manager. The first two thirds of the book details her various opera performances throughout the world and her fear that she will lose her voice and with it her reason for being. Then her life changes completely when she meets and falls in love with Onassis in 1957, after which her love for music was subsumed by her obsession with the Greek magnate.

The author did a brilliant job conveying the nuances of the characters’ personalities through such subtle clues as facial expressions and conversations between the characters. In addition, the settings provide fascinating glimpses into the lives of the rich and famous, such as operas and parties in Rome, Paris, New York and Greece, as well as the opulence of Onasiss’ yacht, Christina as it sails the Mediterranean. However, the best aspect of the novel is it’s depiction of Maria’s struggle with her confidence as well as her jealousy over Onassis’ unfaithfulness. The ending provides a fitting denouement to both her career with a triumphant performance of Tosca and the end of her love affair with Onassis, when he betrays her by marrying Jackie Kennedy and she realizes he never really loved her.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I had a really hard time getting into this book and I have loved all of Daisy Goodwin's books so far. I think it just didn't resonate with me, like the others did. She's an amazing author though, so definitely give it a try and see if it's your cup of tea.

I just reviewed Diva by Daisy Goodwin. #NetGalley

I knew just enough about Maria Callas before reading this book to be dangerous! With that said, I was a bit skeptical about the story that Daisy Goodwin weaves. I did enjoy reading the book, but wonder about the liberties taken in this historical novel. Maria Callas was a complicated diva - not unlike other divas with whom I am familiar. This was an easy read and would be a good one for those readers who are unfamiliar with Maria Callas.

I like Daisy Goodwin's books. This one was good but started very slowly. It took me quite awhile to get into it and I probably would have not continued it if I had not agreed to review it. It felt like it took forever to delve into Maria's relationship with Onassis. Also, I thought it was hurried toward the end, after Onassis met and married Jackie. I was curious as to what happened to Maria after that. It could be put in an epilogue if not in the body of the book.

All in all, I would recommend it with the caveat that people know it takes awhile to get where it's going.

3.5 stars

I received a complimentary Kindle e-book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to Daisy Goodwin, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I am really torn on this book. I liked this book but didn't love it.

The storyline is primarily about Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis's torrid love affair. I really wanted to know more about her life and felt like the bits and pieces didn't help me understand WHY she would allow a man to treat her so disrespectfully - she was the Diva of her generation!

Recommend!

A very interesting story about a complex woman. The characters and relationships were wonderfully written. I would definitely recommend this book!

Big fan of Daisy’s work. This one didn’t disappoint. I love the characters on the plot and I would recommend anyone who’s a fan of historical fiction.

I had heard of Maria Callas but didn't know anything about her career. This book really gave me a glimpse into her performing and personal lives. She was a true diva and I think you need to be when you are an opera singer. The art requires a lot of the performer and this story demonstrates how Callas worked hard for her art. I really felt for Maria as she struggled to be true to herself while inhabiting the larger than life role of the diva.

This is a novel about the life of the great Maria Callas. It touches on her career but the primary focus is on her relationship with Aristotle Onassis. She is obviously a very complex and talented woman. The book delves into her thoughts and motives. There is a lot of material for book discussion groups here. It held my interest but I never warmed to the characters.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eGalley of this title.

Interesting story of the life of Maria Callas - how her mother favored her sister over her, leading Maria to always try to make her mother proud of her. How she found her voice and then how she met Aristotle Onassis, and became his lover.

One of those books that has you questioning whether this is art imitating life, or life imitating art. That is something that I often ponder while reading Historical Fiction. The book Diva is based on the life of the great operatic diva Maria Callas, but liberties and literary license were taken for the sake of a coherent story. Though I am familiar with Maria's place in history, I really knew nothing about her at all. There are other characters in the book though whom I knew much more about, but even some of the details of those individuals are not fully clear to me. Obviously, conversations must be imagined, even while placing them between historical and provable facts. It's just that I really don't have much of an idea of how much of this is fictionalized. Though it does read as though the author tried to take great pains in being as accurate as possible, but I can't prove any of that. It was mostly Maria's personal feelings and heartaches that I find to be the most questionable. Without them included though, the story would have been cold and even unreadable. Goodwin breathed life into the possible personal feelings that Maria surely may have experienced.

The story is written well enough and is easily readable. There were times when I felt that I was getting a true understanding of the protagonist, Maria Callas. For me though, that is yet to be confirmed because I just don't know much about the diva herself. It just felt genuine. Sometimes my heart went out to her and found myself rooting for her in challenging situations, while other times I felt like I wasn't all that fond of her. But, after all, she was a diva. The book is written in a manner that led the reader to favor Callas over her rivals, but I guess that is the author's job at times when it comes to Historical Fiction. Unless it's a hit piece, of course, which this is not.

Within the story, you'll find yourself on various world stages, as well as what it takes to prepare for such events. Then there are the frequent sailings through the Mediterranean with Aristotle Onassis, Jackie Kennedy and her sister Lee Radziwill, Grace Kelly and her husband Prince Rainer. If you find those people or that lifestyle of interest, you will most likely enjoy reading Diva.