Diva
Ratings8
Average rating3.3
New York Times bestselling author Daisy Goodwin returns with a story of the scandalous love affair between the most celebrated opera singer of all time and one of the richest men in the world. In the glittering and ruthlessly competitive world of opera, Maria Callas was known simply as la divina: the divine one. With her glorious voice, instinctive flair for the dramatic and striking beauty, she was the toast of the grandest opera houses in the world. But her fame was hard won: raised in Nazi-occupied Greece by a mother who mercilessly exploited her golden voice, she learned early in life to protect herself from those who would use her for their own ends. When she met the fabulously rich Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, for the first time in her life, she believed she’d found someone who saw the woman within the legendary soprano. She fell desperately in love. He introduced her to a life of unbelievable luxury, showering her with jewels and sojourns in the most fashionable international watering holes with celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. And then suddenly, it was over. The international press announced that Aristotle Onassis would marry the most famous woman in the world, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, leaving Maria to pick up the pieces. In this remarkable novel, Diva, Daisy Goodwin brings to life a woman whose extraordinary talent, unremitting drive and natural chic made her a legend. But it was only in confronting the heartbreak of losing the man she loved that Maria Callas found her true voice and went on to triumph.
Tags
Reviews
Popular Reviews
Reviews with the most likes.
I've come across a number of historical fiction books centered around names in the entertainment industry. Diva has been the first I've read about an opera singer. I'm not super well-versed, but I do consider myself a casual listener. Whatever the case, it was enough to make me static to pick up the book. A lot of big names pass through these pages, however, our stars are Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis. The story ebbs and flows from Maria's past through Aristotle's marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy and the affair in between. I was so ready to love this book. I didn't connect to the characters at all and wound up feeling even sadder for Jackie (I'll admit I'm biased). What's more is that I found the writing repetitive and taking gratuitous liberties in the lives of real people. I know there's a fine line of this and it's what you agree to read when picking up this genre of historical fiction, but even then it still felt like it went too far in places. I did very much enjoy the bits of opera knowledge I picked up along the way. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital ARC of the book to read and review!
I am glad I was given the opportunity to read this fictionalized account of the great opera singer Maria Callas.
Although the novel was easy to listen to and seemed to be well researched, I can't say I truly enjoyed it. Maria Callas did not seem to be a woman who was easy to know, no less to like or love. She must have been a difficult character to fictionalize. She was demanding of herself and others, and had a huge sense of obligation to use the talent she believed God had given her. Yet despite this seemingly inflated sense of her own importance and greatness, she seemed to have very little self esteem when it came to her relationships with men and even other women. So, although it was a well-written and well-narrated novel, it was sometimes frustrating to listen to.
I was lucky enough to listen to receive a complementary copy of the audiobook version of this book, which included samples of Callas' amazing voice.. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
