Too many letters, documents and indexing in this book instead of bringing insight into Maria Callas’s very tragic but colourful life. Difficult to read.

The Callas Imprint is a multi-faceted look an extraordinary woman.
Sophia Lambton presents a unique perspective on Callas through well researched and documented correspondence, interviews, documents, and letters.
I have read other Callas biographies and works of fiction and as the reader, she appeared one dimensional. This trajectory gives her substance. Callas was of course, talented but also strong willed. She was involved in many aspects of her performance; stage design, make-up, and the feel and affect it would have on the audience.
We as readers, live these experiences through her professional and personal relationships. We walk through her trials and triumphs and see this unimaginable life through her eyes. The complexities and the contradictions of her unparalleled journey are laid bare and we are richer for having traveled this path with her.
Thank you NetGalley, Sophie Lambton and The Crepuscular Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found this very slow and struggled to finish it. I am usually a fan of historic novels and biographies but it felt very data heavy and slow for my liking, maybe I just expected it to be a bit more novelistic than it was

Maria Callas is an icon of the 20th century - and no-one compares with her talent.

The Callas Imprint looks at Callas's life in totality, not just her musical genius. It reveals a more complex woman than I was aware of and sheds light on the emotion behind her roles.

I learned much from this book and it holds a spot of honor in my favorite books.

*3.5 stars*

Comprehensive and detailed…

Though the cover caught my eye, I had no idea how rich and full the biographical information would be. I really didn’t know much about Maria Callas or her life. I remember how my mom loved her voice and admired her beauty and composure. There were vague rumblings of scandal so I was looking forward to the story that would include it all. And this book delivered…

Even though forty percent of the book is indexing, citing sources, this was still a robust, detail-filled collection of Maria Callas’ work, her life and who she was as a singer and a human being. There was perfection and imperfection side by side in a life filled with highs and lows, and a career that is still talked about, so many years later. Her accomplishments were legendary and this biography felt like a huge tip of the hat to a career and life worth celebrating.

The author offered her own insights into the singer and the human being behind the professional. I walked away from this with an appreciation for the artist and the person behind the voice. While other reviews cited works with similar content, as I hadn’t read anything so in-depth previously, this felt like new ground to me. Well worth the read.

I have been seeing press for this book everywhere. So excited to read about the life of Maria Callas as well as share it with readers. I will be posting a full review and thoughts very soon! Thank you very much for the opportunitiy.