Bestselling author, Daisy Goodwin, returns with a story of the scandalous love affair between the most celebrated opera singer of all time and one of the richest men in the world...
New York Times bestselling author Daisy Goodwin returns with a story of the scandalous love affair between the most celebrated opera singer of all time and one of the richest men in the world.
'An extraordinary, vivid, and skilful re-imagining of a modern Greek legend' - Victoria Hislop
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.
'I gulped it down... the brilliantly persuasive portrayal of a woman negotiating the demands of her art with an intense emotional life is so compelling' - Elizabeth Buchan
"I was blown away by Diva. Beautiful, visceral, tragic, gutting" - #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Paper Palace
"This powerful reimagining of the soprano’s toxic relationship with the Greek shipping tycoon captures the drama and heartbreak of one of the most celebrated singers of all time" - The Observer
"Imbued with pace, intrigue and flair… a novel worthy of its superstar heroine" - Mail on Sunday
"A heartbreaking, insightful and compelling read" - Woman's Weekly
"The lifestyle of the wealthy and the adoration of the musical world are set in contrast to Maria’s inner turmoil and her strength as she struggles to overcome betrayal. The author presents it all with clarity, empathy, and insight, and combines high drama with meticulous detail" - Historical Novel Society
