The December 3, 2023 New York Times has an in depth article on Maria Callas. The 100th anniversary of her birth has just passed so she will be receiving much attention I expect. Author, Daisy Goodwin, had good timing in writing this historical novel about the world renowned star. Note that Goodwin has written other enjoyable historical fiction including The American Heiress and, Victoria. She has another good book here.
Readers are invited into Maria’s world from the very first page. She has an interesting and tumultuous life. She was a less favored child to her more beautiful (blonde) sister whose mother only seemed to see her when she realized Maria’s gift. Maria struggled with what today is called body image. Almost everyone knows how her love affair with Aristotle Onassis ended and the trajectory of her career. These topics and more are in the book.
Readers will, I think, feel empathy for Maria as they read this title. Despite her success, she struggled with her appearance, her self-esteem and her perfectionism.
Readers are given an inside look at the glitzy world that Maria inhabited with many names dropped including Elsa Maxwell, Franco Zeffirelli, Marlene Dietrich, Rudolf Bing, Liz Taylor…and these all just at the beginning of the book. Readers will discover many more.
Settings are well described. There are stages, parties, yachts but also places like Maria’s childhood home. There is music. There are relationships. There are success and heartache. What more could a reader of (historical) fiction possibly want?
I highly recommend Diva. For me, it was an immersive read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 23 January 2024
336 pages
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 