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A review by elementarymydear
Diva by Daisy Goodwin
5.0
As familiar as I am with Maria Callas as a singer, I never knew anything about her personal life – up until now!
The supporting cast in Maria’s life, and by extension this book, are quite something to behold. She is in circles with Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Winston Churchill, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly, and more icons of the mid-20th Century.
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This particular book looks at Maria’s relationship with Aristotle Onassis, from their first meeting to when he marries a widowed Jackie Kennedy. For Maria, this is the first time something (or someone) has mattered more to her than her art. It’s a gripping story, and because we know from the start that it doesn’t have a happy ending, there is a sense of looming dread across the whole book.
Maria is often profoundly unlikeable, but you can’t help but love her. She is dramatic but also earnest, sometimes callous and not particularly self-aware, but with a more than admirable passion for her art. I found the scene when she hears of Marilyn Monroe’s death not just moving but also an insight into her tender side, as she mourns not just the woman but also the potential of a true friend and kindred spirit.
As readers, we get an insight into Onassis’ true colours before Maria does, and yet we can still see what Maria sees in him. Even as she slowly realises more about his true character, it is easy to understand her reasons for staying with him. The author gives us such a great insight into Maria’s emotions, no matter how contradictory they may be.
The book is excellently narrated by Lorelai King, who has mastered a huge range of accents and transports us to mid-20th Century high society. There’s also the lovely addition of some excerpts of Maria Callas herself singing between the sections (or “Acts”) of the book, which are a great finishing touch.
As much as this book will appeal to opera fans, I think it has a much farther reach than that, as its story is in equal parts unique and universal.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The supporting cast in Maria’s life, and by extension this book, are quite something to behold. She is in circles with Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Winston Churchill, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly, and more icons of the mid-20th Century.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
This particular book looks at Maria’s relationship with Aristotle Onassis, from their first meeting to when he marries a widowed Jackie Kennedy. For Maria, this is the first time something (or someone) has mattered more to her than her art. It’s a gripping story, and because we know from the start that it doesn’t have a happy ending, there is a sense of looming dread across the whole book.
Maria is often profoundly unlikeable, but you can’t help but love her. She is dramatic but also earnest, sometimes callous and not particularly self-aware, but with a more than admirable passion for her art. I found the scene when she hears of Marilyn Monroe’s death not just moving but also an insight into her tender side, as she mourns not just the woman but also the potential of a true friend and kindred spirit.
As readers, we get an insight into Onassis’ true colours before Maria does, and yet we can still see what Maria sees in him. Even as she slowly realises more about his true character, it is easy to understand her reasons for staying with him. The author gives us such a great insight into Maria’s emotions, no matter how contradictory they may be.
The book is excellently narrated by Lorelai King, who has mastered a huge range of accents and transports us to mid-20th Century high society. There’s also the lovely addition of some excerpts of Maria Callas herself singing between the sections (or “Acts”) of the book, which are a great finishing touch.
As much as this book will appeal to opera fans, I think it has a much farther reach than that, as its story is in equal parts unique and universal.
I received a free copy for an honest review.