Daisy Goodwin has written a captivating story about one of the most well-known opera singers of the 20th century, Maria Callas. I think one of the highest compliments a reader can pay to a historical novel is to immediately want to find out more about the author's topic. Goodwin stirred my curiosity and I've spent some time today looking for more information about Maria Callas.

"Diva" spans Maria's life from young girl to just after her break-up with Aristotle Onassis. She found out two days before the wedding that he was marrying Jacqueline Kennedy. Goodwin writes about the various operas in which the singer starred and about her extensive travel. Maria's anger at her mother and sister persisted throughout her life; when young, Maria started believing that her mother preferred her sister. The portrayal of this and other foibles makes Maria come to life.

I would describe the late Maria Callas as talented, fascinating, and troubled. "Diva" is a well-written book and one I would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of "Diva."

A great story about an amazing woman who is most likely the most talented opera singer there ever was - Maria Callas. I don't know anything about opera but certainly knew who she was even though I was a babe in arms during her time. Maria was a complicated woman who struggled to find love in her life. Her commitment to her art was her life and she rarely faulted in her dedication to that. The author does an amazing job in bringing Maria to life and really making the reader feel her every emotion. I loved it! Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Beautifully written, this is a passionate story of a woman that had just about everything in life except a ring on her finger from the only man she loved.

The author’s story is about Maria Callas, one of the most famous opera divas with a voice that moved an audience to tears. She was known worldwide and even asked to perform for JFK on his 45th birthday along with Marilyn Monroe.

It's easy to get caught up in the book about this woman who was consumed by her dress, makeup and presentation. She said, “When you are Maria Callas, the whole world expects you to play the part.” My sister who was working at the Seattle Opera House in 1974 said, “I remember the many shoes she had to have for the opera performance and how difficult she was – I was the bookkeeper.”

The story takes the reader behind the scenes into her life as a young girl. She was resentful to her mother for exploiting her voice to sing for the soldiers during WWII. She also carried a bitter hatred toward her mother for loving her sister more.

She had money, power and admirers worldwide. People would practically bow down to her. Yet, there was only one thing she desired: to marry Aristotle Onassis. He gave her expensive necklaces and earrings with glowing diamonds. He bought an island for her to enjoy and an apartment in Paris. It wasn’t enough. Her life was like one of the characters on stage with a dramatic display of deep love and sorrowful devastation.

Many of us have heard of Maria Callas from five decades or so ago. But this book shows how this brilliant, talented opera star ended up as a lonely woman in her bedroom. There are pieces of history from the early 1940’s to the late 60’s that can motivate one to read other related publications. It’s well written with an impressive amount of research. It inspired me to glance through Google, see some of the photographs and listen to her voice. We learn from stories – like this one.

My thanks to Daisy Goodwin, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of January 23, 2024.

Before she was known as a “Diva,” before she became an incomparable opera star, Maria Callas was a young girl with a gifted talent. Born in New York City and living in Washington Heights, she was 13 years old when she left with her mother to live in Greece. She was, overweight and insecure, but she had a God given talent. Her sister, Jacky, was her mother’s favorite, so much so that as the years went by, Maria and her mother became estranged.

We first meet her in 1940 in Greece and it is there that Maria attends the Conservatoire taking singing lessons with the great Spanish soprano, Elvira de Hidalgo. From the very beginning of her career she was already dubbed as a “phenomenon” and the “divine one.” Establishing herself as a Diva, no longer overweight, she had lost the pounds and now she was beautiful and truly “chic.” Temperamental, she could fly into a rage at any given time, but then she was artistic. In 1957 while she was still married, she was introduced to Aristotle Onassis at a party given in her honor by Elsa Maxwell. The undercurrent between the two was instant. At that time Onassis was also married, but his flirtations and affairs were understood by his wife, as she too had her own lover. As we, the readers, take the journey with the two of them, it is hard to believe the opulence, the luxury that surrounded the couple. Both being Greek they had much in common, the language, the background. She fell madly in love with him With his wealth he introduced her to a world she never knew, as her career was always foremost, what she lived for. Now with him she traveled extensively, associating with celebrities, as he fed her with jewels as well as the security of feeling safe within his arms. After nine years, it was over…the year he married Jackie Kennedy. Onassis was definitely a sexual man, and due to his wealth he was able to seduce many women. Was he a womanizer, read the book and decide for yourself?

Well researched and well written, the book was amazing as you observe the lives of the rich and famous, their ups and downs, the scandals along with their emotions. By no means was this novel a fairy tale…at times their relationship was difficult, both of them having strong personalities. Reading this you realize no matter the wealth, no matter the celebrity, you really can’t have it all.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This novel has already been reviewed on Goodreads with a five star rating.

Diva was a hard book to put down. The writing was done with finesse and left me wanting a sequel. This book is a great 5 star book.