I love historical fiction written so well that you begin researching the true story. That’s what I experienced with Diva. I knew nothing about Maria Callas but I do now. What a battle of perseverance. Struggles with weight, men, family - so much of what we all deal with. She felt so real upon these pages. The story came to life and had me wanting to protect and save her from being used… and at times from herself. Such a smooth flow in the telling of this divas life. Great read!

3.5⭐️Well-told story of a fascinating & captivating real-life relationship and the larger-than-life figures involved.
Best historical fiction I've read in a while--bravo!

With thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for this e-ARC!

Maria Callas was a world-renowned opera singer. She was a woman of outstanding talent and a true diva. We follow her story through some of the most publicized moments of her life. This was a great story that shed a more personal light on Maria, her life, and her relationships.

This is a fictional historical novel, closely following the life of Greek-American opera star and “diva” Maria Callas. It begins with a scene as Maria is pursued by paparazzi who want her reaction to what she unfortunately became most famous for: as the jilted mistress of billionaire Ari Onassis, as he left Maria for a more famous woman, Jacqueline Kennedy.

This book brought to mind another historical novel about another famous mistress (“The Blue Butterfly”), Marion Davies, long time partner of William Randolph Hearst, who was, at least, cherished and loved by Hearst until his death. Davies’ reputation was besmirched by Orson Welles’ equation of her as the awful Susan Alexander Kane in “Citizen Kane.” Marion Davies had been a talented comedic actress and businesswoman, but she’s often remembered just as terribly as Maria Callas is — the questionable gold-digging mistress. Instead of being primarily known as a musical prodigy, popular culture portrayed Maria as “the other woman” who was “antagonizing” the beloved Presidential widow, when, in fact, Callas was cruelly discarded and Onassis cheated on all his wives and mistresses. Billionaires and their mistresses: the women will always live in their shadows.

Godwin’s book celebrates Callas’s talents, but also highlights her career struggles and her troubled relationships with men. It is a stroll filled with many celebrities and gossip about affairs. Keeping the famous characters straight was often a chore (the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Elsa Maxwell, Franco Zeffirelli, Lee Radizwell, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier). The primary timeframe for the book is mostly about her relationship with Onassis. The narrative does seem to stop abruptly — when Ari tires of Jackie within months of their infamous wedding and returns to Maria. I felt the story was unfinished as a result. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES But not green eyes of a character — the “green eyed monster” of jealousy gets featured as Princess Grace and Maria commiserate about Princess Lee Radizwell (who was apparently trying to upgrade husbands)
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Many flowers are mentioned, but only in bouquets.

Dnf. I think I would have enjoyed this much more if I had background info on what this story was based on. It’s not that this was bad it just didn’t entertain, or reel me in like I thought it would. Overall, I just was not the target audience for this book.

Diva by Daisy Goodwin was such an exceptional read, I picked it up and struggled to put it down until I was completely finished.

The story begins by introducing us to our main character, Maria Callas, and tells the story of how she came to be a famous opera singer. She found her voice as a young child during WWII and her mother discovered her gift while she was singing one day in the house. She continued to sing, having felt that it was the only thing her mother loved about her. She quickly realized that her mother was using her for her voice, and it wouldn’t be the first time that happened to her.

We follow her story as she sings around the world and follows her dream of one day singing in New York. She is married to a man who she realizes only loves her for her voice - something she was already used to.

Her life allowed her fame, money and power and so many people admired her and wanted to be like her. But the only thing she truly desired was to be loved for who she truly was, not for what she could do for them. She meets Aristotle Onassis and she feels seen for the very first time. He cares for her in a way she’s never been cared for before, and buys her expensive gifts and garments to express her love. Her heart breaks once more when he marries Jackie Kennedy.

It was a captivating story and the author did an amazing job of developing each character. Her writing was vivid and the emotions were felt by the reader. The timelines were easy to follow and every page was engaging and captivating. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for some good historical fiction.

I would rate it 4.5/5 stars and thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy. The book has an expected release date in January 2024.

Daisy Goodwin's "Diva" is a literary composition that crescendos with the passion, ambition, and complexities of its characters, weaving a melodious tale of one woman's journey through the enigmatic world of opera.

In this opulent novel, Goodwin introduces us to the charismatic and determined Grace, a young woman with a voice that possesses the power to stir souls. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century London, the reader is transported to a time when the grand opera houses were cultural epicenters, and divas were both celebrated and scrutinized.

The author's prose is a virtuoso performance in itself, evoking the sights and sounds of Victorian England with unparalleled richness. Goodwin's attention to detail transforms the opera houses into living entities, and the performances into vivid symphonies that resonate with emotion. The narrative, much like a well-composed aria, moves effortlessly between the highs of Grace's triumphs and the lows of her personal sacrifices.

At the heart of "Diva" lies an exploration of the complexities of ambition and the price one is willing to pay for success. Grace's journey from a humble background to the dazzling world of opera is fraught with challenges that mirror the limitations society places on women's aspirations. Goodwin masterfully navigates the tightrope between portraying Grace's tenacity and vulnerability, making her a heroine that is both relatable and inspiring.

The supporting cast of characters adds depth to the story, each contributing a unique harmony to Grace's journey. From the enigmatic composer to the fellow performers with their rivalries and camaraderie, every character plays a vital role in creating a harmonious ensemble that encapsulates the multifaceted nature of the world behind the curtain.

While "Diva" hits all the right notes, there are instances where the pacing falters, slowing the momentum of the narrative. Yet, this decrescendo is often followed by a triumphant crescendo, much like the ebbs and flows of an opera itself. The ending, while satisfying, leaves room for readers to reflect on the broader themes of societal expectations, personal fulfillment, and the timeless allure of the performing arts.

"Diva" is a literary aria that resounds with the echoes of dreams pursued and obstacles overcome. Daisy Goodwin's storytelling is an immersive experience that envelops readers in the grandeur of the opera world while also delving into the human stories that play out behind the scenes. If you are drawn to stories of artistic passion, indomitable spirit, and the evergreen pursuit of dreams, "Diva" is a symphony of words that deserves a standing ovation.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

Diva by Daisy Goodwin tells the story of soprano opera singer Maria Callas. Wow! What a story! I was hooked from the beginning. Maria came alive on these pages. Well written and well researched! Thank goodness for you tube to watch some of her arias! I highly recommend! Thank you to NetGallery and St Martins Press for letting me review this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

I found Diva, by Daisy Goodwin, to be a thorough-to-the-point-of-tedious look at the life of opera legend, Maria Callas. The author, an excellent storyteller and researcher, has ever so slightly missed the mark this time, apparently unable to determine which parts of her research needed to be kept and which needed to be cut.

Initially, I was interested to find out about Maria Callas, but not about literally everything she ever thought or said or did. Or what the author supposed she ever thought or said or did. Diva was just a 3 ½ star read for me.

While growing up in the '60s, I remember reading about Maria Callas and her affair with Onassis in newspapers and tabloids. She was typically portrayed as demanding and imperious. This novel provided a different perspective, theoretically setting the record straight by sharing her side of the story. I enjoyed reading about Callas and definitely sympathized more with her choices and struggles.

That said, I personally would have liked more verification of what was truth and fiction. Goodwin claimed this book was more novel than biography right in the front. That was a valid perspective. However, for me to believe the events and conversations, I needed more details about what was actually truth and fiction. A concluding section that provided such detail would have been helpful.

I thought a good number of conversations were tedious. Events seemed contrived and were also sometimes historically inaccurate. Characterization of Maria, Onassis, and Maria's first husband were generally believable. However, secondary characters seemed pretty much superfluous; even Maria 's long time,
Loyal assistant.

The narrative jumped among time periods. While this helped to establish a context for a subsequent event, it was sometimes confusing.

This was an interesting story. However, for those who want a verified account of Callas' life, there are other better books.

Diva is the story of soprano Maria Callas and her life and relationships as she goes on in her music career. Inhabiting her perspective was fun as she became more and more popular and famous. However the ending was really disappointing and knocked it down a couple of stars for me. She did not really experience true growth through the novel and that simply frustrated me to no end. Still a fun historical fiction read that’s easy to recommend!

I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I received this book, I didn't entirely know what to expect, it sounded good. I like historical fiction and throw in real historical figures? Even better. This book did just that. Not only is the focus of the book on Maria Callas, a real opera singer, but it ties in many historical figures who were involved in her life in one way or another. It accomplished this without sounding like a history book, though. It kept me engaged chapter to chapter and made me want to see how things played out, even knowing limited history of some of the people involved in the story.

As with any good historical fiction, it made me want search for more information about the characters presented in the book, more details about their lives and their stories.

Daisy Goodwin’s “Diva” brings us the life of the famous soprano Maria Callas. The book begins in 1968 at the end of her 9 year affair with Aristotle Onassis. From there it transports us backward, giving us a look at her young life, her rise to stardom, her affair with Onassis, and their break up when he married Jackie Kennedy.

When Maria was young, she always felt she was second best to her her sister in her mother’s eyes. One day her mother heard her sing and knew she had the voice of a star. From then on, she gave up everything to give Maria the lessons she needed to develop her voice. In Maria’s eyes, her mother did this to benefit herself. In later years, when Maria became famous, she broke off all relations with her mother.

Maria was introduced to Onassis in 1957. He did not care for opera and she had no use for him. He was enamored by her and continued to pursue her until she relented. This led to their 9 year affair. Maria was desperately in love with him and would do anything for him including giving up her career. He also appeared to need her as much, constantly presenting her with jewelry and keeping her with him at his homes and on his boat, but he also had a wondering eye. Maria wanted nothing more than to marry him, however he liked things as they were. He divorced his wife but she was still married. By early 1960’s Onassis was involved with the Kennedy family but after JFK died, he started being around Jackie more. Maria was aware of this and eventually their affair ended with Onassis marrying Jackie.

Maria’s biggest threat to herself was her voice. She knew her time was limited to be able to continue singing as she had been. This was constantly on her mind. I think Daisy Goodwin did a great job of portraying Maria’s emotions both about her voice and her fears of loosing Onassis. I felt her writing was good and the back and forth transition years was well done.

Thank you Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this pre-release.

I have never read an opera book nor had any interest in one until I met the main character of Diva, Maria Callas. This story follows the life, losses, and loves of a historical character that has remained under the radar.

The author brought this larger than life character to life, it was an emotional and enjoyable ride!

AHHH! What a fabulous gem of historical fiction storytelling! This story kept me engaged from start to finish and I adore the cover!

Thank you so much for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I enjoyed this book but I felt like it was a bit slow to read. I wanted to hear more about the affair but that part felt a bit rushed.

Although I knew the story of Maria Callas, her magnificent voice and opera career, as well as her affair with Aristotle Onassis, I was fascinated by this portrayal of her life. You don't need to know about opera to enjoy this novel. Ms. Goodwin does not disappoint.

Of course, I’ve heard of Maria Callas. But, I knew nothing about her other than that she was a famous opera singer, so, when I saw this book, I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn about a completely different subject.

However, the book certainly didn’t do her any justice. She came across as a very selfish, obsessed, jealous, woman who let herself be derailed by an undeserving man. If this book was set in contemporary times, people would be aghast. The idea of a hugely talented artist, neglecting her talent, giving up her career, leaving her husband, all for a man who clearly was sleeping with other women, offered her no future, and never led her to believe that he would marry her (which is seems is the only thing she wanted from him) is appalling.

It’s not just Callas who is maligned. All women in the book are portrayed as vile creatures: Grace Kelly, Elsa Maxwell, Jackie Kennedy, Lee Radziwell, the Duchess of Windsor, Clementine Churchill, and of course Callas’s own mother and sister are but a few of the women skewered in the story. Only Marilyn Monroe (and strangely) Tina Onassis are slightly sympathetically drawn.

The men are equally horrible. Except Zeffirelli?

Outside of all the chaos (or is she completely inside?) is Bruna , Maria’s loyal lady-in-waiting, but she is so unwavering loyal it almost felt like Stockholm syndrome. What’s her reward, what was her motivation?

Because of the sex (albeit unoriginal in description and unsexy) it’s not a book I would include in my class library, nor recommend to students, but I don’t think I would anyway. It was a bit too long, repetitive, and dragged at points.

All of this said, it’s not a terrible book. It’s just not an homage to the diva of the title but instead, a sad story. I read to the end but it took me a while to get through. I did learn about a new topic, and I was inspired to listen to some opera and learn more about some of the people, places, and events in the story, so I guess something positive came out of my time commitment.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

A wow of a histfic novel about the life of famed opera star Maria Callas, and her tumultuous love affair with Aristotle Onassis, who became Jackie Kennedy's second husband. Captivating!

Bravo! A beautiful book, a fictionalized account, of the life of the great diva, Maria Callas. We know the bones of her story but Goodwin takes us to the intimate details of her life.

Born in Brooklyn, she was brought by her cruel and grasping mother to study voice in Greece. Despite myriad issues of poverty, sadness and weight, she becomes the great Callas. Her marriage to the manipulative Italian Tita has brought her little happiness.

The heart of this book is her relationship with Aristotle Onassis. Of course, we associate his name with Jackie O, his trophy wife. This is all explored in this book. Maria is so totally sympathetic in this that it’s hard not to become emotionally involved.

I highly recommend this to reading groups who will enjoy discussing the relationships of Ari and Maria, as well as his connection to both Jackie and her sister Lee (cringeworthy and a bit shocking).

Thank you Netgalley for the privilege of reading and reviewing this compelling book.