Daisy Goodwin’s Diva brings the legendary opera singer Maria Callas to life, capturing her meteoric rise, scandalous affair with Aristotle Onassis, and eventual heartbreak. While the novel is well-researched and offers fascinating glimpses into the world of opera and mid-century celebrity culture, it falls short of delivering an emotionally gripping narrative.

Maria Callas was a powerhouse on stage, but offstage, she was hard to sympathize with. She was arrogant, demanding, and selfish, making it difficult to feel invested in her story. Her affair with Onassis, the world’s richest man, was filled with passion and luxury, yet it lacked the depth needed to make readers truly care about their relationship. The book touches on interesting aspects of Greek history, especially during WWII and the Civil War, but the overall plot remains surface-level.

The novel’s abrupt ending is frustrating. After Onassis leaves Maria to marry Jackie Kennedy, the book wraps up too quickly, leaving little insight into Callas’s later years. A deeper exploration of her struggles post-Onassis would have added much-needed emotional weight.

While Diva offers an entertaining look at the glamorous and cutthroat world of opera, it doesn’t fully capture the complexity of its protagonist. Readers interested in Callas’s life may enjoy the historical details, but the novel itself is just okay—nothing special. I alternated between the ebook and audio and was very impressed with the narrator. Her accents were fabulous. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this book. The opinions are my own.

I liked this book, though I felt it dragged at times. The addition of the opera playing before each chapter was a great touch and really added to the atmosphere. However, I found myself bogged down by a lot of minor details that took away from the drama I was hoping for. The exploration of Maria Callas’ life, from her rise to fame to her turbulent relationship with Aristotle Onassis, was fascinating, but at times it felt like the narrative slowed down too much for me. Still, the story offered a glimpse into the glittering world of opera and celebrity that I enjoyed.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

They were the two most famous Greeks in the world. Maria Callas was the leading opera singer. Aristotle Onassis was one of the richest men in the world. When they met, they were both married to other people but the passion they felt for each other could not be denied. They spent the next decade together but it was not an easy relationship.

While Onassis loved Callas, he continued to have relationships with other women and then eventually married the former First Lady, Jackie Kennedy after having an affair with her sister, Lee Radziwill. Maria had married a man who also was her manager for her early career but ended her marriage once she met Onassis. In her divorce, he ended up with much of her money.

In this novel, Daisy Goodwin tells Maria's story, her recognition that a singer has a purse of golden coins which is the number of performances before the voice starts to change and go. Maria lived for her music for much of her career but once she met Aristotle, she changed and started living for love. The relationship broadened her emotional repertoire as she experience the emotions of love and jealousy that many of her opera roles portrayed.

Daisy Goodwin has made a career of writing the stories of famous women. Most are set in Victorian times and she also wrote the screenplay for the television series Victoria. In this book, she has moved into more recent times and explored the life and loves of a woman who is not a ruler. Callas was the reigning singer of her time but she never managed to marry the love of her life or have a good family relationship with her mother or sister. Does greatness require pain? I listened to this novel and the music included added to the experience. This book is recommended for readers of women's fiction.

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.