“As he did in The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson, Charyn here reimagines the life of a complex and talented woman, this time the diva of divas, Maria Callas…A bravura performance that hits all the right notes and is sure to delight opera devotees and fans of strong women characters.” – Library Journal, starred review
“In the spirited biographical novel MARIA LA DIVINA, the allure of an opera legend is rendered with humanizing grit.” – Foreword Reviews
“Everyone in Callas’ world is drawn in depth, while this vivid portrait of the diva is compelling and dramatic without being idealistically flattering. An excellent choice for biographical fiction and opera fans.” – Booklist
“Charyn elicits sympathy for his complex lead through nuanced character work, and he manages to channel the excitement of Callas’s performances. This is a marvel.” – Publishers Weekly
“A deftly crafted work of historical biographical fiction, MARIA LA DIVINA once again showcases author Jerome Charyn as a novelist of extraordinary literary ability.” –Midwest Book Review
“Charyn impressively covers events, places, and people (even an older Winston Churchill) with a solid pace that never stalls…The complex genius of the Divine Diva will stay with any reader of this work.” – Historical Novels Review
Maria Callas, called La Divina, is widely recognized as the greatest diva who ever lived. In his new novel, MARIA LA DIVINA (Bellevue Literary Press; September 16, 2025), Jerome Charyn’s Callas springs to life as the headstrong, mercurial, and charismatic artist who captivated generations of fans, thrilling audiences with her brilliant performances and defiant personality.
Callas was one of the first divas to come from an impoverished background. As an outsider, she was shunned by the Italian opera houses, but through sheer force of will and the power and range of her voice, she broke through the invisible wall to sing at La Scala and headline at the Metropolitan Opera, forging an unforgettable career. Adored by celebrities and statesmen, the notable and notorious alike, her every movement was shadowed by both music critics and gossip columnists—until, having lost her voice, she died alone in an opulent, mausoleum-like Paris apartment.
In Charyn’s inimitable style, MARIA LA DIVINA humanizes the celebrated diva, revealing the mythical artist as a woman who survived hunger, war, and loneliness to reach the heights of acclaim.
To celebrate the release of MARIA LA DIVINA, we are hosting a pub week virtual book tour from September 14 – 22 featuring this stellar list of book influencers. Follow along for features, reviews, excerpts, and GIVEAWAYS:
Sunday, September 14 Suzy Approved Book Reviews
Sunday, September 14 Lexijava
Monday, September 15 We Love Big Books And We Cannot Lie
Monday, September 15 Books and Coffee MX
Tuesday, September 16 Nurse Bookie
Tuesday, September 16 What Is That Book About
Wednesday, September 17 Cassie’s Book Reviews
Wednesday, September 17 Nissa The Bookworm
Thursday, September 18 Sarah’s Bookish Reviews
Thursday, September 18 We Break For Books
Friday, September 19 Rozier Reads And Wine
Friday, September 19 Karen’s Library
Saturday, September 20 Kim Reads and Reads
Saturday, September 20 Red Reviews 4 You
Monday, September 22 The Maddie Hatter
Monday, September 22 Storeybook Reviews
