This is a beautiful novel - such an absorbing story and told in a way it could be fiction but clearly is not. Well written with empathy and grace, this is another story about one of the great talents whose personal journey suffered as a result. Fascinating read and so atmospheric of the times.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Diva opens with the Greek shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis, marrying Jackie Kennedy in 1968. A man born on the wrong side of the tracks in Greece has married his way into high society. But his jilted ex-lover of 9 years, Maria Callas, can only watch in sorrow and hurt as they marry in the chapel on his island of Skorpios where she always hoped that they would tie the knot.
In flashback the reader learns, almost in snapshots, the events that led up to this momentous occasion; the fateful meeting between them and her life as an opera singer which she gave up as he was uninterested in it. He pursued her determinedly and it destroyed both of their marriages. Callas wanted Onassis to love her in the same way that she loves him as she feels that he treats her as a woman first and foremost. She has issues with her mother exploiting her talent from a young child in Nazi occupied Greece and her older husband who sees her as a business. But Onassis is unfaithful as she soon discovers, and she is destined to be supplanted.
The book is described as ‘historical fiction’ and it is stated at the beginning that it is ‘a fictionalised account of Callas and Onassis. It stops after they break up and doesn’t cover her later years when she took up singing again. I’m interested in Callas as I grew up with an opera loving dad and so heard Maria Callas recordings from an early age. I also worked within an opera house and know only too well the fear that singers have of opening their mouths and nothing comes out. I was quite surprised that opera singers had such a limited time span and Callas career was over when she was 40.
The book followed her demanding schedule travelling between opera houses, theatres and performances, practicing, attending society parties often in the company of Elsa Maxwell who appears in the book and being at the very pinnacle of her career. In between she is assessing new opportunities such as films.
The estranged relationship with her family, particularly her mother, is touched on but not dwelt on. It is believed that being farmed out as entertainment during the Second World War to occupying soldiers by her mother might have contributed to her vocal decline in later years. Callas marriage was more like a business partnership as her husband was much older and she always has the pressure of knowing that her singing career is finite. The remarkable drive that she had is well portrayed but I didn’t feel that the book emphasised how much of a trail blazer she was. Even now she is one of the best selling opera artists and was known as ‘La Divina’ or ‘the divine one.’
This was a woman of no half measures. It was all or nothing and she gave up her career for Onassis although he was unfaithful and moved from woman to woman.
I felt that there was an element of soap opera to the book as famous people of the time drift through, the Churchills, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Taylor and Burton and Marilyn Monroe. The strongest impression I had of both Onassis and Callas was them wanting to be accepted by the world despite their humble beginnings and that they recognised this in each other. However, Callas achieved immortality beyond her wildest dreams.
I enjoyed the book a lot. It was a lively and engaging read with two fascinating lead characters and enough sex and drama to keep it moving along at a brisk pace. The pressures on Callas such as worrying about regaining weight, family problems, wanting a child and the approaching end of her singing career were well portrayed. In the book Callas became the woman behind ‘La Divina’ and I could understand how a man like Onassis could take them away from her by giving her an escape route. The book had a great cover as well.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.

I was aware of all of the main characters, Callas, Onassis and Kennedy and also knew something of their entwined history. This book brings to life the glittering and glamorous jet set of the mid 20th century in a fictionalised biography of Maria Callas. Massively talented but ultimately a tragic figure, this portrait of Callas is a fascinating portrait of a woman and the world in which she lived.

Having known very little about Maria Callas until last year after reading Gill Paul's The Second Marriage, I was intrigued to read another fictional take on the known facts around this past Opera queen.
The book starts with a number of performances that Maria made, introducing her first husband, who looked after her bookings, diary and performance fees and describes the singers feelings about performing on stage, her voice, the media and other people within the opera world. However by 40% in that's what was still happening and for me personally I lost a little interest as the issues around each trip were very much the same. Husband, voice, audience appreciation etc etc. I think if you have a love/interest in Opera you may have found the first half more engaging,
The second part of the book deal more with Callas's long term relationship with Ari Onassis, Fictionalising facts about the well publicised romance and included many well known names and stars of the time that they entertained on Onassis' yacht The Christina

Now, I am not particularly an opera buff and when I picked up this book I didn’t know anything about Maria Callas or much about Aristotle Onassis either. In fact, I’m not sure why I even requested it, beyond seeing other people recommend it, but I am extremely glad I did because I found it fascinating.

Since I am not an expert on this subject, I can’t tell you if this book is an accurate portrayal of the characters in it so I will have to trust that judgement to people better acquainted with the topic. What I can say is that, as a story, it is a riveting, entertaining and emotional read that had my gripped from start to finish and made me care about the characters and their lives.

Maria Callas was obviously a talented opera singer and one of the most compelling things about her, as she is portrayed in this book is how confident she is in her talent. She knows who she is and what she brings to the world as a great talent and one of the most famous and celebrated women in the world. But she also struggles with the disadvantages that fame brings at times. The dark side of celebrity is always fascinating and that is evident in this story. Given the status of women in general at the time she was alive, the independence and authority she has is extraordinary and, when she recognises and remembers that, she is impressive.

On the flip side, this book also shows her as a woman who has the same needs and desires as all other women, she just wants to be loved for herself. But when you are as successful and famous as she is, how can you ever be sure that people love you as the celebrity or just yourself? She is surrounded by adoration and accolades but never knows if they love ‘Maria’ or ‘Callas.’ Until she meets Aristotle Onassis, a man much wealthier and more powerful and almost as famous as she is. In her Ari, she believes she has found her soulmate and someone who loves her for herself. But is this reality or simply fantasy on her part?

At its heart, this is a love story and, if you take away the fact that it is about two famous people, the emotions felt are recognisable to people the world over. Celebrities are just people at the end of the day and they have feelings just like the rest of us. In this book, Maria Callas is portrayed in the end as a woman in love and I felt all her pain and longing on that score. She is made very human, albeit with a peculiar set of problems, and the reader can relate to her on that basis. The author does a wonderful job of making us feel her pain and longing and insecurity at the careless hands of an ultimately selfish man.

I really loved this book, despite having no particular interest in the people involved before I picked it up and I highly recommend it.

Wow! Fantastic.
Until the last few years my preferred choice of reading was non-fiction. Over the last few years I have found more and more examples of excellent fiction and non-fiction.
Maria Callas was probably the best soprano that ever lived.
I had no idea about her life outside music.
I know that this is a work of non-fiction, but it is all believable, but I believe that it is mostly true, and maybe, just maybe, all true.
In any case it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
This is the best example of fiction based on real life that I have ever read by some margin.
Thanks to the author for a wonderful book, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

My life was missing Maria Callas! Loved this book and ate it up honestly. Super sad its over! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the novel- I will be requesting that my library purchases a copy.

An easy read but an excellent portrayal of Maria Callas, from her upbringing and exploitation by her mother, her husband's manipulation and her famous lover Aristotle Onnasis until he marries one of the richest women in the world, Jackie Kennedy, bravo!

I'd not heard of Maria Callas when I requested a copy of the book, my instinct to apply went from all the blogger reviews of proofs I'd seen online. It's a fantastic story and, although a work of fiction, is very much biographical of the soprano's life. All the people who feature in it are real and whilst the author has opted to use her creative licence to push the story forward it all feels very raw. I found myself pausing to look up the people and went down a Google rabbit hole so far, sometimes I had to reread a couple of paragraphs to remind myself where I was up to.

Maria Callas is not the most likeable of people - she developed a reputation for being notoriously difficult - but her whole career was full of hangers on, people who stood to profit from her. This started from her mother as soon as she found out her daughter could sing and followed her till death. Her life, in true operatic style, was tragic in many ways and you cannot help but feel sorry for her.

Thanks so much to Head Of Zeus, not only for my digital copy, but the special proof I was issued as part of a readalong, complete with interactive QR codes. A fabulous read and an introduction to someone I'd love to read more about.

An interesting look at the life of Maria Callas, with much of the focus and the strongest part of the book, on her relationship with Aristotle Onassis. Those who aren't familiar with these two might enjoy this more than those wo know the story. That said, Goodwin sent me off to google others who pop in and out of their lives. I would have liked to know more about Callas' life after Onassis, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for fans of historical fiction,

Maria Callas is the dive per excellece, the last of the lirica divas and the most important opera singer of XX century.
That said her life was tragic, complex, and fascinating as it could have been a novel.
She was never happy for a long time, she was passionate and lost a lot. There's a playlist with the same title of this book, go and lister.
L'amour, l''amour est un oiseau rebelle. Go and listen to the passion as she plays Carmen.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

As a lover of opera and with some background in the field I thought this was wonderful. Even the biggest star at the time is subject to the fallibility of the human voice, hampered by emotional upheaval and physical illness. The pressure to succeed was palpable and Callas' determination shone through. I loved this book, thanks NetGalley!

An amazing book, one of my mum’s favourite singers and the opera of my youth so this felt very special before I even started reading it. I was completely unaware of Maria Callas’s back story and the affair with Onassis. Beautifully written and totally captivating from beginning to end. I’m off to find out more about this incredible diva!

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an unbiased review

Hop into the pages of this story and let it transport you to the glittering world of the diva Maris Callas.

I'd heard of Maria Callas prior to reading this but, beyond being an opera singer, I knew nothing of her life (I thought she was the one who sang Barcelona with Freddie Mercury if im honest 😂) and my only knowledge of opera is my love of the soundtrack to Helena Bonhem Carter version of Room with a View(my absolute all time fave film)..

Her life was certainly fascinating, growing up with a pushy and vile mother, Maria did not have it easy. She became a strong woman who fought for her place in the hall of fame in this world. Her voice was the ultimate power house.

The story is monopolised by her relationship with Aristotle Onassis (I had no idea they dated!) and with the latter comes the hierarchy of 1950s big names.... I loved all the name dropping... From Winston Churchil and Bridget Bardot to Marlene Dietrich and Truman Capote.... So many stunning settings are featured too.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this one, with the audiobook not only are there clips of Maria singing in between sections but also there's a great interview with the author at the end. She said diva meant divine one, and she wanted that title to be given back it's original meaning rather than what it means today (ie jlo wanting bowls of Smarties with all the brown 🟤 ones removed)...

The writing style wasn't as stimulating as other books I've read recently however it was fascinating to read about a huge star who I knew so little about.... For example I had no idea she sang for JFK on the same night as Marilyn Monroes famous Happy Birthday 🎂 moment! Or that she was dumped by Onassis for Jackie Kennedy.

I can't actually claim to like Maria Callas very much after reading this but her story was very a fascinating one.

As I delved into the pages of "Diva" by Daisy Goodwin, I was immediately drawn into opera's glamorous and cutthroat world, where Maria Callas reigns as the divine one. Goodwin flawlessly captures the essence of Callas – her stunning voice, dramatic flair, and undeniable beauty that captivated audiences worldwide. The narrative skilfully weaves through Callas's tumultuous past, detailing her struggles in a war-torn Greece and the relentless exploitation she endured from her mother.
The portrayal of Callas's relationship with Aristotle Onassis is genuinely heart-wrenching. Their love story is both exhilarating and devastating, as Onassis introduces her to a world of luxury only to leave her heartbroken when he decides to marry Jacqueline Kennedy. Goodwin masterfully portrays Callas's vulnerability and strength, showcasing her resilience in the face of heartbreak.
Through this poignant exploration of Callas's life, we see her authentic voice emerge beyond the fame and accolades. Goodwin's exquisite writing delves deep into Callas's emotional turmoil, vividly depicting her inner struggles and ultimate triumph over adversity.
"Diva" is a beautifully crafted novel that offers a compelling glimpse into the life of a legendary opera singer. Goodwin's portrayal of Maria Callas is both poignant and powerful, leaving a lasting impression on readers. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a richly detailed and emotionally resonant story.

An absolutely brilliant read.
I expect everyone who loves opera knows the name Maria Callas who was one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century but know little of her personal life and professional struggles to perform to the perfection that she achieved on stage.
Although not an autobiography Daisy Goodwin has given an insight into this amazing women’s personal life treating it with great dignity.
Even if you are not an opera fan I can assure you that you will love this book .

'One day, I am sure, you will be a great diva, one of the greatest...and you will think you are immortal'.

Surely real-life opera singer, Maria Callas, La Divina, was born under a shooting star and all the luck and fortune that portends. Having survived her overbearing mother's dubious demands to 'sing for their supper' in occupied Greece, Maria returned to America, after WW2, and drove herself, propelled by this God-given gift to become the greatest operatic soprano. She not only honed her talent but also her acting skills and body to literally become 'divine'. However, 'The ancient Greeks had invented the idea of hubris for a reason'. The curse of fame was to always feel insecure; always trying to redress the balance between fame and personal life, self and persona, talent and being human. Her love affair with Aristotle Onassis shifted this fulcrum seemingly permanently.

I enjoyed reading about Maria Callas, whom I had never heard of before. Daisy Goodwin does a great job of relating Maria's history while telling a readable story. I could believe in Maria's drive towards perfectionism. I could believe she may have met her match with the domineering personality of Ari. And I could believe her ultimately indomitable spirit until the end - despite the media's attempts to crush it, 'Don't end like the characters you sing - dying for love in the third act. Make your own ending...'.

Overall, an enjoyable historical fiction read that should satisfy.

This is a ok tale about the life and career of Maria Callas. My issue with it was both the writing style, which I struggled to get into synch with, and the fact that it’s not a factual biography, rather a book mixed with fact and fiction.
However, it’s got some interesting facts about both the world of Opera and its subject. So, for me, this was a 2* ok read and I’m grateful to both NetGalley and Aria and Aries for the opportunity to preview.

This biography provides insight into the life and work of one of the greatest divas of our contemporary history. The reader accompanies Maria Callas through her greatest triumphs, but also through her greatest defeats. What is particularly surprising is the constant insecurity and vulnerability of this seemingly self-confident woman. This makes the character Maria Callas human and allows us to look behind the perfect facade. The conflict with her mother from her childhood days shapes her as much as her restrictive marriage and her passionate but luckless affair with the bon vivant Aristotles Onassis. Maria tries to find her place between the stage, a luxurious jet-set life and the longing for the ideal image of a caring woman at the side of her beloved husband. Over the years her voice suffers, which was always her greatest fear, but with her growing experience she is able to bring roles to life and captivate her audience. An impressive biography about a great artist who has everything and still remains in search of her place in the world. Absolutely worth reading.

This sort of historical fiction is my favourite genre and Daisy Goodwin is up there among the best in being able to transport one into whatever period is being written about.
I knew very little about Maria Callas before reading this book. Obviously that she was an opera singer but that was about it. Daisy Goodwin has brought her to life and made her and the other famous people in her book real for me. Her descriptions of places, people and costumes are second to none and she has obviously gone to great lengths to ensure her research is spot on. A very enjoyable book I'm happy to recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.