I ended up reading a physical copy of this and really enjoyed it :) fabulous book with a beautifully crafted narrative, Well paced and great use of flashbacks.

I loved this audiobook so much!! I had already read the story in physical form, which I enjoyed so much I wanted to listen to the audio too. The narrator was great and I enjoyed listening to them

Diva is a dramatised version of the opera singer Maria Callas’s life, career and love affair with Aristotle Onassis. It moves through different periods of her life from Nazi occupied Greece where she was exploited by her mother, and starts on the day her lover of 9 years is about to marry Jacqueline Kennedy. It illustrates her unique talent, luxurious lifestyle and celebrity friends such at Elizabeth Taylor. Part historical, part romance it is fascinating to discover the drama that followed her throughout her life.

I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of opera, but Diva held me in its thrall from the off. Maria Callas’ life was fascinating: she was dramatic, striking, dedicated and vulnerable. Her mother had exploited her voice in Nazi-occupied Greece, which Maria never forgave her for, and she cuts her off when she makes it big. But even though Callas makes out that she can’t be used again for other’s financial gain, it does happen.

Then she meets Aristotle Onassis - the love of her life. This relationship must have looked so romantic at the time, and it seems that Maria thought so. She believed that Onassis saw her for who she really was. I thought this was where her vulnerability was really brought to the fore - and as she lets her guard down, he does the inevitable and lets her down.

I really liked the way this was set out: Callas’ career was interspersed with flashbacks of her early life, and as I was listening to the audiobook there were excerpts from songs (arias?)in between chapters. I actually headed to Spotify to listen to more after listening to a couple of these (there’s a playlist linked to the book: Diva by Daisy Goodwin). The narrator, Lorelei King made for an excellent Maria Callas as well as ‘just’ a narrator. She was very convincing.

I was completely sucked in to Maria Callas’ life whilst I was listening to this. She was quite some woman, and she was brought to life whilst I listened. My only complaint is that it ended too soon!

Diva by Daisy Goodwin is a Historical “fiction-based-on-fact” novel that looks at the life & times of the renowned opera singer Maria Callas. It has been published to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Maria’s birth.
Historical fiction-based-on-fact novels work especially well if copious amounts of research have been done to really enable to author to inhabit the world in which their protagonist lives – and there is evidence of very detailed research here, occasionally too much detail is given for instance about a particular outfit Maria was wearing at a certain performance. Before reading this book, I had heard of Maria Callas & could have named her as an operatic Diva, but my knowledge was not much more than that. I definitely have a better understanding of the woman behind the name, and also of some of the others involved in her story, including Aristotle Onassis. I would have liked to know a little more about Elsa Maxwell.
The audiobook was supplemented with snippets of music that was being described & as somebody who is only moderately familiar with opera, and most definitely not the nuances, it was a very welcome addition and helped to round out the story and to get to know Maria through her voice.
The audiobook also included a bonus interview with the author & this was a great way to understand how the book came together & the inspirations that the author used to help develop the story. I would highly recommend the book to anyone with even a passing interest in Maria Callas, opera, music or the early rise of “celebrities” but I would recommend that you try the audiobook if at all possible as the additional material really does bring it to life.

Actual rating: 3.5/5, rounded up.

Like any good Italian, I was diligently taught about opera from a young age and grew up hearing about the greats: Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Callas were ever-present, and recordings of their most famous arias were often heard in my house (fun fact: I still have a few on my phone to listen to on-the-go!). Even though La Divina's voice was so familiar to me, I realised I actually knew close to nothing of Maria Callas the woman, which is why I was so intrigued by this book!

Let me start by saying that the audiobook experience was truly great: the narrator did a phenomenal job delivering an impressive range of emotions, accents and personalities, and the already magnetic story was enriched by the music scattered throughout. Listening to snippets of the arias mentioned in the book added a certain magic to it and definitely made me go back to re-listen to some of them in full later on. I only listened to the audiobook for this one, but would recommend it wholeheartedly as I just can't imagine having the same experience without the audio.

Diva is a fictionalised version of Maria Callas's life and, as such, it is not 100% accurate (it being a novel, as the author's note also clarifies). Still, it gives a good sense of this woman's life and her passion for her art, as well as the difficult relationships she navigated throughout her life. The story starts with Maria trying to cope with the news that the man she loves is marrying someone else as her every reaction is scrutinised by the press and high society, ripe for gossip and keen to tear a famous, powerful woman apart. It then proceeds to unravel everything leading up to this point in a series of flashbacks, different timelines intersecting as memories are conjured up.

The cast includes several names I knew very well, as well as others I didn't know much (or, in some cases, anything!) about. They all came across as very well fleshed out for their role in the story, considering that there is only ever one person at the centre of the stage. Callas is a complex, at times difficult woman, who becomes one with her voice, her talent overshadowing everything else. It was hard, yet deeply touching, to see her struggle to find acceptance and self-worth, delighting in the love audiences bestowed upon her yet constantly dreading the moment her voice might fail her.

The writing flowed naturally for the most part, easily drawing me in and keeping me glued to my headphones, constantly trying to sneak in just a little more time with Callas, even though it came across as a bit simplistic at times. One thing that didn't always work well for me was that the dialogues at times felt slightly unnatural and as if they were being used only to convey key information. I probably noticed this more on audio than I might have if I'd read this, but it jarred.

A significant part of the book is obviously devoted to Callas's relationships with her husband and with Onassis and, while they were obviously a central part of her life for so long, I would have liked to see more of her without them. I felt this even more so as the story ends quite soon after the breakup with Onassis, where I would have liked to see more of what she did without him. There was also a tad too much emphasis (which sometimes bordered on repetition) on Callas's physique and her eating habits, which were of course an important part of her public figure but got pretty tiring pretty quickly, as it seemed to be reading a gossip column more than a novel.

Overall, this was a pleasant and entertaining book, certainly enhanced by the great audio production. The author's passion for this story is clear and, even though it didn't fully meet the mark for me, I did feel infected with her enthusiasm by the end and as if I knew the great Diva better than I did before.

I never knew much about opera singers, but even i had heard of Maria Callus. This story portrayed her as a person, showed her passions, her background, and her loves. The audiobook included small pieces of her work which really added something special. Totally engrossing and gave me such respect for this true diva.

Daisy Goodwin transports us into a world of glamour, wealth, and sophistication.

Maria Callas had it all: a wonderful career, a fabulous voice, and a husband whom she was fond of. However, deep down she was quite insecure: always wondering how long her voice would last, whether this performance was her last. She was also watching her weight, as she used to be overweight and didn’t want to go back to how she was.

Her husband and manager at that time, Giovanni Meneghini, only cared about her career and the next performances. She thought she loved him until she met Aristotle Onassis, who was married at the time.

He pursued her, she resisted, but eventually they got together. Maria didn’t know what love and passion was until she met Aristotle.

She thought she finally found someone who saw the “real” her.

But then, one day it was over.

He was marrying Jackie Kennedy, JFK’s widow.

In this book, we meet a plethora of famous people, including Winston Churchill, Grace Kelly, Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and even Marilyn Monroe.

At times, I honestly thought I was listening to an autobiography, rather than a novel, it felt so real to me.

This audiobook is wonderfully narrated by Josephine Goddard and Lorelei King.

I definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Aria for approving my NetGalley request to listen to this audiobook.

Prior to listening to this I didn’t know anything about Maria Callas, only that she was a famous opera singer. I’m always drawn to historical biopics from that era, almost a golden age of Hollywood and true celebrity, before the information overload we are used to today. I was immediately sucked in to Maria’s world, and hung on the narrator’s every word wanting to know what would happen next in her tumultuous life. Some of her problems were of her own making, but she was treated terribly by men (and some females too!). This is the story of a true star though, and you can’t help but be totally engrossed in her life in all its glory. The narrator is perfect for this, and I loved listening so much that I was sad when it was over. I would definitely recommend this if you want to be transported to another time and place, and get lost in a dazzling story. It’s perfect for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Duchess, or City of Girls. I loved it!

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

Title: Diva
Author: Daisy Goodwin
AD/PR – Thank you @netgallery for the advanced ecopy.
Do you enjoy Opera? Are you familiar with Maria Callas?
In Diva, Daisy Goodwin takes us on a historically fictional journey of Maria Callas’s life as the world-famous Soprano singer and endeavours to give voice to Callas not only as the world-renowned Diva (Goddess) but also as a talented and powerful woman in her own right. Many people including her mother, sister and ex-husband have written books about Maria Callas the singer. However, Goodwin wanted to move beyond her operatic influence. This Goodwin did through sharing the love story between her and Aristotle Onassis. Throughout Maria’s life she considered herself loved only for her voice, that was until Onassis swept into her life and for the first time, she felt seen and loved as a woman.
Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook. I particularly enjoyed the narration, and I do wonder what I would have thought of it if I had read it, as the narration was very well done. I learnt a lot about Maria Callas’s life. Despite Maria’s tumultuous relationship with her mother, a weak father, and her feelings of inadequacy in the shadow of her sister, she was unrelenting in her strive for perfection.
Her love affair with Onassis was the dominant story in this book. It was thus filled with restrictive diets, beautiful clothes, glamour, sexual tension, and unrequited love. Their relationship ends with the announcement of Onassis’s marriage to Jackie Kennedy. Many claim that Maria no longer performed after the relationship breakup, but it is probably more accurate that it was her gruelling training programme and performance schedule that led to the early demise of her voice.
This story is a breakaway from other books written about Maria, showing a more personal side to her life. However, I would have liked less focus on the love affair and more on how she achieved operatic stardom. Onassis was a very unlikeable character, and I would have liked to have seen more about how Maria Callas survived and thrived in her own right, as a woman.
This book did broaden my understanding and appreciation for her unique talent, and I have read and listen to other interviews about her since.
If you enjoy Opera and have an interest in Maria Callas and what she endured to perform at such an exceptionally high standard, then I would recommend this book. I would particularly recommend the audiobook.

I really enjoyed this one, I knew absolutely nothing about Maria going into this and it was so interesting learning all about her. This reminded me a lot of The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo which I loved. It was great listening to this on audio as the added music and background really added to the story. If you are a fan of Historical Fiction this is a must.

An interesting insight into Maria Callas for someone like myself who knew of the name but nothing about the person beforehand. The audiobook was easy listening and the added extra of having some of her music throughout was a nice touch. It was a touching story though perhaps quieter than I first expected.

Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Lorelei King
Content: 2.5 stars ~ Narration: 4 stars

I didn’t know much about Maria Callas before I started this novel, and I am quite interested in (semi)biographical novels of people I find important. Diva reveals the story of the famous opera singer of Greek descent, Maria Callas. She was, and still is, considered one of the best, if not the best, opera singers of all time. Her incredible musical talent earned her the nickname “La Divina”.

I was hoping for an in-depth life story of Maria Callas. Even though she was also known for her relationship with the Greek businessman Aristotle Onassis, I hoped the main focus of the story would not be on that. Also, the novel Diva often gave me telenovela vibes. And I didn’t want to read only a story about glamour, rich people, and romance.

In the end, the novel is ok; it is informative. If you know nothing about Maria Callas, you will learn some facts after reading this novel. But honestly, I would have expected more depth.

I finished the novel, thanks to the audio format. I doubt I would bother with reading a book. One other thing I appreciated and enjoyed in audio format was the short recordings of Diva singing.

In short - not my type of novel. 2.5★. I'm torn about how to round it. Maybe rounded to 3★ for the audiobook version?

Thanks to Head of Zeus Audiobooks for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

A fantastic historical fiction which brought something new to the genre. With remnants of Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, this book has become an instant favourite of mine

A novel about Maria Callas.
Loved it.
I knew Maria was an opera singer but I didn’t know anything else about her background or her life - totally fascinating.
Well read, I was drawn in right from the start. Easy listening, and I loved the snippets of Maria singing opera at the start of some acts and chapters. I had no idea of the people she met or interacted with.
I’m off to listen to some opera!

Audio Book Review (gifted): ‘Diva’ is a novel about music, love, desire, and betrayal in the life of Maria Callas, the legendary mid-20th-century soprano. At the height of her reputation, Maria meets Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, and falls in love for the first time. What follows is a plot worthy of an opera, with conflicting passions, jealousy, and self-sacrifice.

I’m a huge fan of biographical fiction as a way to bring stories to life and make them memorable by focusing on emotional impact rather than chronicling events, so I requested to review this though I’m woefully un-musical and knew very little about Maria Callas (and the 20th century is not where I usually hang out).

Daisy Goodwin has created a super-slick dramatisation of Callas’s biography. It’s not as emotionally immersive as some fictionalised biographies, rather it feels like a beautifully glossy modern epic: the descriptions of couture clothing, yachts, penthouses, and parties are so glamorous I felt at times I was flicking through Vogue or Hello!, but there are also bass notes of far older Greek epics.

I was particularly impressed by the way the physicality of singing and Callas’s monumental discipline and dedication comes across. It’s given me even more respect for those who make music look so effortless. This physicality really sharpens the conflict between Maria’s love for her art and her desire for Onassis.

If anyone needs me for the next few days, I’ll be listening to the playlist that accompanies the book, and applying sweeping 1960s eye-liner. And actually writing an essay.

‘Diva’ is published today (14 March).

Thanks to @Netgalley and @headofzeus for the audio-ARC.

A wonderful audiobook narrated by Lorelai King, who has a wide range of accents and takes us to mid-20th Century high society with aplomb. Maria Callas was a famous operatic name I discovered at the Victoria and Albert's DIVA exhibition. Callas' life off stage was as dramatic as her life on stage. This was a wonderful audio book which superbly recreates a wonderful atmosphere with included excerpts of Maria Callas singing as "acts"!

This fictional memoir of Maria Callas wonderfully transports you to the awe and glamour of Golden Hollywood era of the 1960s. Goodwin describes the possessive controlling quality of Hollywood men of the time and makes you sympathise with Callas' plight to be recognised as an operatic diva but at the cost of having a successful private life. Callas' life resembles a Greek tragedy and is as captivating as any opera.

This audiobook was surprisingly detailed, and I completed it in 3 days. I would recommend it for fans of the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

✨Diva✨ is out in the UK on 14th March 2024! Thank you, Head of Zeus, Aria + NetGalley for the chance to listen and review this audiobook before it publishes #Diva #NetGalley

Synopsis
In the glittering and ruthlessly competitive world of opera, Maria Callas is known simply as la divina: the divine one. With her glorious voice, instinctive flair for the dramatic and striking beauty, she's the toast of the grandest opera houses in the world. Yet her fame has been hard won: raised in Nazi-occupied Greece by a mother who mercilessly exploited her, Maria learned early in life how to protect herself.

When she meets the fabulously rich shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis, her isolation melts away. For the first time in her life, she believes she's found a man who sees the woman rather than the legendary soprano. Desperately in love, Onassis introduces her to a life of unbelievable luxury, mixing with celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

And then, suddenly, it's over. The international press announce that Onassis will marry the most famous woman in the world, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, leaving Maria to pick up the pieces.

In this remarkable novel, 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.

My thoughts…
Diva unravels the life of Maria Callas and her relationship with her husband, Onassis and her musical career.
Maria is a strong woman but meeting Onassis she falls under his spell as he ‘abuses’ her and dictates what he wants of her.
Not only Onassis , but her husband and even Elsa Maxwell have a sharpness to their tongue and their relationship with Maria.
The novel follows her love affair with Onassis until he eventually marries Jackie Kennedy .
Maria a successful soprano whom people loved , Maria loved her performances and singing and she loved it . A woman of charisma , intelligence and charm it was an interesting novel set in the 60’s and followed Maria’s life during this period. I knew of Maria Callas but not a great deal so the book and some googling filled in some gaps and the music

Thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus Audiobooks, it was such a treat!

When thinking about opera, is there anyone more famous, more magnificent than Maria Callas that comes to mind?

Personally I can’t conjure up anyone that was such a legend! And yet I found myself realising that I knew very little of Maria Callas as a person, as a woman.

Thanks to Daisy Goodwin’s gorgeous prose I was able to dive into La Divina’s psyche, what was driving her, her flaws, her extraordinary force.

She was a fierce and powerful woman, a pioneer who merged her personal experience with her work, bringing to life her characters by drawing from her own feelings, transcending her voice and body, translating her profound quest for love into her performances. A true inspiration !

“Great Art is domination. It’s making people believe for that precise moment in time there’s only one way, one voice, mine.”

The writing is exquisite, you can hear the words sing, the notes in each phrase, and in the audio version there are also pieces sang by Callas herself which makes the experience all the more immersive!

The narrator is fabulous and brings a lot to the story, I personally think this was perfection as an audiobook, the best way to travel back in time and meet the greatest opera singer of all times.