If you are not new to An Historian About Town (and if you are- hello!), you will be familiar with Margot Fonteyn, the ballet dancer. There are a few figures in other areas of the performing arts that hold a similar position in their art form, and one of those people is Maria Callas. Maria Callas was one of the most talented opera singers of the twentieth century, although her story has not translated into wider popular culture. It’s unfortunate because she was immensely talented and she led a fairly dramatic life; it’s not a boring life story in any way. However, we have a new fantastic novel that brings her back into the spotlight! For our Book Bite, we have Diva by Daisy Goodwin!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC and an Advanced Listening Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Diva, Daisy Goodwin
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, 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.
Why You Should Read This…
I mean this in a good way- this book is a “this happened, then this happened, then this happened” type of historical fiction and sometimes that is exactly what I want! Maria Callas’ life story is jam-packed, and there was so much to keep me busy. I’m assuming that liberties have been taken with facts, but I’m also okay with that- I know little of her life other than the fact that she was an immensely talented opera singer, and this book fit with that. I also learned a lot about in general from this book, much of which was completely new to me!
There are a lot of morally grey characters in this book, and that made me keep reading/listening. I think that Goodwin did a fantastic job of showing that people and life are complicated, and that the choices we make are often quite not black or white. (Although I did come to quickly hate Aristotle Onasis despite knowing very little about him…) Anyone looking for a dramatic story to get lost in, or anyone interested in the performing arts will enjoy this novel!
Is Diva by Daisy Goodwin on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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