Historical fiction fans will love this one. It’s the story of opera star, Maria Callas, with lots of dirt on Aristotle Onassis. Drama to the max but also luscious, beautiful settings.

Im obsessed with this book. The drama, the glamour, the history... I didnt know anything about these people before reading so I was along for the ride the whole time not knowing what happens to anyone.
I felt so deeply for Maria and her story, especially her relationship with her mother. The men in her life I feel overtook her-- her had this edge when it came to her career but she seemed to lose her backbone when it came to Tita and Onassis. I wish she had realized how incredible she was as a woman and stood up for her worth . This book is unputdownable .

This story was fascinating!
I had no idea about this love affair and Daisy Goodwin did an amazing job telling it.
Moving, heartbreaking and epic, the audio was fantastic, I loved it.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this complimentary audiobook.

𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗮 by Daisy Goodwin released January 23, 2024.

Maria Callas was a world-famous opera singer. In this fictionalized account of her life, we see that despite her fame and success, she has a habit of choosing the wrong man. Her most famous companion was Aristotle Onassis, who she dated immediately prior to his marriage to Jackie Kennedy.
Diva was definitely a page-turner for me.

A great telling of the lives and lives of the great Maria Callas. Artfully told with a great touch of the operatic drama and raptures that the Diva deserves.

I tried listening to this audiobook a few times, but I have finally given up. I suffer from chronic eye migraines, so I listen to audiobooks while lying in the dark. I find a good speed that doesn't irritate my head/ears and then find a good volume. Unfortunately, this audiobook doesn't work for me. I can't have a good speed for talking, which is the same speed for the music. Most of the time, my audiobooks are set on timers so I can sleep if my body lets me, and I'll doze off only to be woken up by horrible screeching from music. And I don't have the capability to keep switching when I hear a song.

I'm sad because the book sounds excellent. But this audiobook does not work with my health.

Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the ALC!

I love when I open a historical fiction about a famous person in time or character that I’d known nothing about prior to reading, and find myself so captivated that I want to google everything I’m reading about, as was the case with DIVA. From the side characters, setting, and various locations she attended, I just loved living vicariously through her eyes of that time.

As soon as I started reading, I gravitated immediately to the story of the great opera singer, Maria Callas, and her love affair with Onassis. I enjoyed the timeline, with snippets of true historical events, including Marilyn Monroe, the Kennedy family, and life at large with Aristotle Onassis.

WHAT TO EXPECT
-Historical Fiction
-Greek opera singer Maria Callas
-a love affair
-well researched

🎧I paired the book with the audiobook format, and loved the narration and addition of clips of the opera singing each chapter. The story was so well researched, and I thought Maria was such a great character and woman of her time.

*many thanks to St Martins Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy for review

While I've heard Maria Callas' recordings, I knew little about her personal life until I read Diva: A Novel by Daisy Goodwin. Although this novel is a work of historical fiction and the author admits some liberties were taken, it doesn't change the fact that it's an intriguing story about an extraordinary woman.

The narrative is filled with pain, fear, insecurity, humiliation, determination, tenacity, strength, and talent. It's a captivating roller coaster ride. Add a complex family dynamic, including a toxic stage mom, an absent father, and a golden child sibling, and you get a compelling story about a formidable woman.

The Aristotle Onassis and Jackie O. affair adds another layer of intrigue, especially when Jackie O.'s sister is factored in. The situation doesn't paint anyone in a positive light.

If even a small part of Diva: A Novel is rooted in reality, it's clear why Callas is such an interesting subject, making the book a superb read. I highly recommend the audiobook version. It features Callas' singing, a delightful surprise, and is of top-notch quality.

In Daisy Goodwin's audiobook "Diva," listeners are transported into the glittering and ruthlessly competitive world of opera, where Maria Callas, known as la divina, reigns supreme. The audiobook beautifully weaves together elements such as actual performances by Maria Callas and the captivating narration by Lorelei King, adding a rich layer of depth to the story.

One of the standout aspects of the audiobook is its portrayal of Maria Callas' relationships with the men in her life, shedding light on the challenges she faced and evoking strong emotions in the listener. Additionally, the incorporation of real-life characters like Jackie Kennedy, Aristotle Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor adds an intriguing dimension to Maria Callas' narrative, providing historical and cultural context.

"Diva" tells the story of Maria Callas' journey from fame to heartbreak and eventual triumph, showcasing her extraordinary talent and unwavering drive. Daisy Goodwin skillfully brings Maria's character to life, allowing listeners to witness her evolution in a compelling manner.

Moreover, the audiobook offers an insightful interview with the author at the end, providing valuable commentary on the book and offering a glimpse into Daisy Goodwin's personal connection to the world of opera. This additional content enhances the overall listening experience, offering a deeper understanding of the story and its creation.

In conclusion, "Diva" by Daisy Goodwin is a captivating audiobook that immerses listeners in the world of opera, weaving together music, drama, and real-life personalities to create a truly engaging experience. Whether you're a fan of opera or simply enjoy a well-crafted story, this audiobook is sure to resonate with you.

I mean this in a good way- this book is a “this happened, then this happened, then this happened” type of historical fiction and sometimes that is exactly what I want! Maria Callas’ life story is jam-packed, and there was so much to keep me busy. I’m assuming that liberties have been taken with facts, but I’m also okay with that- I know little of her life other than the fact that she was an immensely talented opera singer, and this book fit with that. I also learned a lot about in general from this book, much of which was completely new to me!

There are a lot of morally grey characters in this book, and that made me keep reading/listening. I think that Goodwin did a fantastic job of showing that people and life are complicated, and that the choices we make are often quite not black or white. (Although I did come to quickly hate Aristotle Onasis despite knowing very little about him…) Anyone looking for a dramatic story to get lost in, or anyone interested in the performing arts will enjoy this novel!

Lorelei King's narration was perfect for this audiobook- because of the subject, I expected a rich and resonating voice, and I feel like King nailed that. While I've never heard Callas speak, this is what I imagined!

Really enjoyed this one! Diva reads like it could be factual with real-life characters Airstotle Onassis and Jackie Kennedy as supporting characters. Well done!

I really loved this book, it reminded my of the seven husbands of evelyn hugo in the best way. It was immersive and fascinating.

I wanted to like this story. I am not sure what was the disconnect for me, but I felt the story dragged and I could not wait to finish it. The life of this famous opera singer was interesting and the story was not difficult to follow. The narration was well done.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced audiobook copy.

While I would not say I necessarily enjoyed the listening experience, I can say I learned so much about opera and about Maria Callas. Because the author delved into her early life, marriage, friendships/affair, I feel like I understood her motivations and desires. I can't say there was a single character I liked and that did make it hard, at times, to continue listening. I did appreciate the interview with the author at the end of this audiobook and all the snippets of opera. Overall, not a book I'd recommend to just anyone but a very educational experience for this reader.

“Diva” by Daisy Goodwin immerses readers in the opulent yet tumultuous life of Maria Callas, the legendary opera singer known as “la divina”. With her glorious voice, dramatic flair, and striking beauty, Maria captivated audiences worldwide. The novel delves into her scandalous love affair with the fabulously rich Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, who introduced her to a life of luxury and celebrity. But when Onassis left her for former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Maria faced heartbreak and discovered her true voice. Goodwin’s portrayal of Callas is both fascinating and rich, capturing the highs and lows of this iconic soprano’s journey.

I rarely listen to audiobooks as they tend to either put me to sleep or I loose track of what was going on. Let me start by complimenting the narrator for a wonderful job reading a great story. I knew about Maria Callas having grown up in a house where my father loved opera. I knew about Onassis and Maria and Jackie. What I did not know was so much about Maria Callas. I wish the story had continued further after Onassis and she were done. What a fascinating woman. Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC.

Daisy Goodwin has done it again with this incredible biographical fiction about Maria Callas, famed Opera singer, and lover of Aristotle Onassis. 

As usual with Daisy Goodwin’s stories, I found myself transfixed by the story of Maria’s life and her relationship with Onassis. It was fascinating to see how their courtship affected her performances and how she grew to become an unstoppable force in an industry ruled by men.

Why we like it: I had previously read Gill Paul‘s story Jackie & Maria and thought I might find this book redundant, but I was wrong. They bring two different perspectives that flush out the Maria - Onassis- Jackie O love triangle. #gifted by St. Martins Press

I was hoping for a fictional biography and that's sort of what I experienced. Overall I did not emphasize with the lead. I didn't connect with anyone in the story, maybe the maid Bruna, but only slightly. The audiobook version, which is how I read this book, added recordings of what I assumed was Maria Callas. It didn't detract as I often find musical interludes do in audiobooks. The voice actor did a wonderful job though.

Before this read, I had heard the voice of Maria Callas, but not in context and never in English, so wouldn't have been able to identify it if asked to do so. . .I'd heard her name, knew she had a reputation for being a difficult person, and that's about it.

Daisy Goodwin's reimagining of the life of Maria Callas provides an opportunity to learn more about the world she was born into, the family who helped her (or didn't), friends who were true (or weren't), and her experiences as she walked the Diva Path with her Voice. The read wasn't altogether a pleasant one, as the characters - all - were not trustable, likeable people. I'll grant you that the world they lived in was certainly pitiless and cruel, and no one was altruistically trying to create a nicer world for others in this story.

The abrupt ending didn't prevent me from developing a silky sympathy for this woman who worked hard, fought hard and won during her beautiful years and appreciating the brief report of her fading lonely years. Once finished with the read, modern technology helped me find her images, videos and voice, which truly did reduce me to tears. For that, I am grateful - in-person connection through shows must have been a deeply moving experience if she can affect me so far from her time amongst mortals.

*A sincere thank you to Daisy Goodwin, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.*

Some of my earliest recollections of tabloid magazines featured covers of Aristotle Onassis and the two women he pitted against each other for his attention, Jackie Kennedy and legendary soprano, Maria Callas. To this day, I still can't see the attraction to this man who famously said, "If there weren’t any women all the money in the world wouldn’t matter."
The author specifically focuses on Maria's story, and Jackie remains a peripheral character. Maria's early years are delivered through sporadic flashbacks that help the reader understand her insecurities and journey. It might be hard to imagine someone known as Diva, to be insecure, but Maria was accustomed to being used and wanted only for her voice. Her mother tried to exploit her talent from a young age and Maria's much older husband preferred to be her manager more than her husband; often overbooking her for financial gain. So, when Aristotle Onassis came along and treated her as a beautiful woman and not a moneymaker, she fell hard into a love affair that lasted for 9 years. 
All through the novel, there were signs of the Lothario Onassis really was, and it frustrated me that Maria was blind to it. But of course, I had the benefit of history, knowing the outcome of all the sacrifices she made for this man and how she was dropped in return. Maria might have been blindsided by Onassis marrying Jackie, but Jackie most certainly knew the extent of Maria's relationship to Onassis; their affair was international public knowledge.    
The glitterati of the era, such as Princess Grace, Winston Churchill, and Elizabeth Taylor are part of Maria's story. One of my favorite scenes takes place when Maria rubs shoulders with Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe backstage at the famous gala held for JFK's birthday. 
The audiobook which includes snippets of Maria singing. The author's research made me appreciate what training and physical stamina is required of an opera singer. After reading this, I was compelled to spend some time watching her performances and interviews online. She really had an incredible voice!