Diva

I've come across a number of historical fiction books centered around names in the entertainment industry. Diva has been the first I've read about an opera singer. I'm not super well-versed, but I do consider myself a casual listener. Whatever the case, it was enough to make me static to pick up the book.    A lot of big names pass through these pages, however, our stars are Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis. The story ebbs and flows from Maria's past through Aristotle's marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy and the affair in between.    I was so ready to love this book. I didn't connect to the characters at all and wound up feeling even sadder for Jackie (I'll admit I'm biased). What's more is that I found the writing repetitive and taking gratuitous liberties in the lives of real people. I know there's a fine line of this and it's what you agree to read when picking up this genre of historical fiction, but even then it still felt like it went too far in places. I did very much enjoy the bits of opera knowledge I picked up along the way.    Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital ARC of the book to read and review! 

I am glad I was given the opportunity to read this fictionalized account of the great opera singer Maria Callas.

Although the novel was easy to listen to and seemed to be well researched, I can't say I truly enjoyed it. Maria Callas did not seem to be a woman who was easy to know, no less to like or love. She must have been a difficult character to fictionalize. She was demanding of herself and others, and had a huge sense of obligation to use the talent she believed God had given her. Yet despite this seemingly inflated sense of her own importance and greatness, she seemed to have very little self esteem when it came to her relationships with men and even other women. So, although it was a well-written and well-narrated novel, it was sometimes frustrating to listen to.

I was lucky enough to listen to receive a complementary copy of the audiobook version of this book, which included samples of Callas' amazing voice.. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.