A breathtaking novel of romantic obsession, longing and one woman's choice between motherhood and her operatic calling
It is 1903.... read full description
It is 1903.... read full description
reviews
Jul 29, 2011
Juliana
rated it: 
Rich debut historical novel centering around three compelling and flawed characters
The Doctor and the Diva is Adrienne McDonnell's debut novel and in this reader's opinion, it is a very successful one. The book centers around an extremely talented woman, Erika Myrick, her wealthy and business-minded husband, Peter, and a successful obstetrician, Dr. Ravell. Erika and Peter have been trying to get pregnant for many years, but without any success. By the time they consult Dr. Ravell, E More...
The Doctor and the Diva is Adrienne McDonnell's debut novel and in this reader's opinion, it is a very successful one. The book centers around an extremely talented woman, Erika Myrick, her wealthy and business-minded husband, Peter, and a successful obstetrician, Dr. Ravell. Erika and Peter have been trying to get pregnant for many years, but without any success. By the time they consult Dr. Ravell, E More...
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Feb 18, 2011
Lindsay
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I'd like to thank Goodreads FirstReads giveaways for this advanced reader's edition. A hopeful pick, as always.
After finishing this novel, my strongest comment is that it's "chick-lit" trying to pass as historical romance. There's the historical setting, the forbidden affair, the disapproving family... but honestly, not a lot of romance. As a reader I never really connected with the characters; the descriptive writing was well presented, but the characters - even after 400 More...
After finishing this novel, my strongest comment is that it's "chick-lit" trying to pass as historical romance. There's the historical setting, the forbidden affair, the disapproving family... but honestly, not a lot of romance. As a reader I never really connected with the characters; the descriptive writing was well presented, but the characters - even after 400 More...
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Feb 02, 2011
Cleverly
rated it: 
I am trying to figure out how to write a fair review for this because the writing was excellent and this idea behind the plot was original and I am sure lots of people would have enjoyed this. The first half was awesome I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Infidelity, low morals and loose judgement was a major part in this book. Though I know that type of read is not for everyone it started to tell a great story. It's not a YA and I don't want anyone to confuse this as so.
Hav More...
Hav More...
Sep 28, 2010
Lauren
rated it:
The Doctor and the Diva is set in turn of the century Boston and tells the story of a gifted amateur opera singer (Erika) and her wealthy, globe trotting husband (Peter) with a seemingly perfect life. Except, Erika and Peter had everything but a baby. At a funeral, they meet Doctor Ravell, a Harvard educated obstetrician renowned as a fertility expert, but with a weakness for women. Doctor Ravell attempts to treat Erika and Peter's infertility at a time when it is widely assumed that only wom
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Aug 13, 2010
Felice
rated it:
What a pleasure it is when you get the triple threat historical novel. One that entertains, enlightens and surprises.
Opening at the turn of the 20th century in Boston, The Doctor and The Diva is the story of Erika von Kessler's search for herself. Opera singer wannabe Erika is happily married to successful botanist Peter. They would be a golden couple except for one thing, after years of marriage they have been unable to conceive a child. Erika is trying to reconcile herself to this More...
Opening at the turn of the 20th century in Boston, The Doctor and The Diva is the story of Erika von Kessler's search for herself. Opera singer wannabe Erika is happily married to successful botanist Peter. They would be a golden couple except for one thing, after years of marriage they have been unable to conceive a child. Erika is trying to reconcile herself to this More...
Aug 27, 2010
Kelly
rated it: 
Peter and his wife, Erika, are desperate for a baby. They've been trying for years, but no luck. They meet Ravell, a doctor who's had a great deal of luck with couples that have problems conceiving.
Erika is also training to be an opera singer. Shortly after they begin fertility treatments (and although it's the early 1900s, they use a lot of the same treatments we use today--artificial insemination and in vitro--apparently they've been used for a long time, just not talked about), More...
Erika is also training to be an opera singer. Shortly after they begin fertility treatments (and although it's the early 1900s, they use a lot of the same treatments we use today--artificial insemination and in vitro--apparently they've been used for a long time, just not talked about), More...
Aug 03, 2010
Sheila
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 01, 2010
Meaghan
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Dec 08, 2011
Erica
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This review has a spoiler:
I thought this book would be more inspiring and rich, but it was not. I felt there was too much written in great detail of mundane things and less of the story. The characters didn't offer much to like about any of them, all selfish in their own ways.
I can't imagine a mother leaving her child, or a man so desperate for a child he would knowingly let his wife have an affair to get pregnant and a romance lasting 9 years without contact. It's not that More...
I thought this book would be more inspiring and rich, but it was not. I felt there was too much written in great detail of mundane things and less of the story. The characters didn't offer much to like about any of them, all selfish in their own ways.
I can't imagine a mother leaving her child, or a man so desperate for a child he would knowingly let his wife have an affair to get pregnant and a romance lasting 9 years without contact. It's not that More...
Sep 13, 2010
S
rated it:
Another book lent to me by my book loving neighbor and I really enjoyed this one too though I think that the story could have been told in 300 pages versus 400 pages!
The story starts in the early 1900's in Boston where Erika von Kessler is married to Peter, an adventurer and very successful International traveling business man and their failure in conceiving a child. They seek out the help of a Dr. Ravell who has had high success rates in getting women pregnant who had previously suf More...
The story starts in the early 1900's in Boston where Erika von Kessler is married to Peter, an adventurer and very successful International traveling business man and their failure in conceiving a child. They seek out the help of a Dr. Ravell who has had high success rates in getting women pregnant who had previously suf More...
May 16, 2010
Tami
rated it:
Wonderful read! If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. Stunning to realize it's a debut novel.
While taking place in the decade preceding WW1, the storyline is one that could easily revolve around women today thinking about, or actually balancing, careers with motherhood ...and Erika's struggles to decide her future at each crossroads in her life certainly rang true and authentic to me (being a similar age, in a similar situation, with similar thoughts and feelings). This is More...
While taking place in the decade preceding WW1, the storyline is one that could easily revolve around women today thinking about, or actually balancing, careers with motherhood ...and Erika's struggles to decide her future at each crossroads in her life certainly rang true and authentic to me (being a similar age, in a similar situation, with similar thoughts and feelings). This is More...
Dec 31, 2010
Happy Bookaholic
rated it: 
A hideous and callous tale that uses rape and absolute negligence—which is at times fatal—as an aphrodisiac for a cast of emotionally twisted characters. This is an utter waste of beautiful prose, intelligent research and true-life inspiration.
Before readers swallow this bitter tale as a sad and poignant true story, they ought to be aware that none of the melodramatic events really occurred. The author states, on her website, that her ex-husband's ancestor abandoned her marriage and s More...
Before readers swallow this bitter tale as a sad and poignant true story, they ought to be aware that none of the melodramatic events really occurred. The author states, on her website, that her ex-husband's ancestor abandoned her marriage and s More...
Sep 26, 2010
Holly
rated it:
"I Swear I Will Win"
“Lo giurai, la vincero.” Mezzo soprano Erika von Kessler sings these words in an Italian opera aria while fulfilling her dream of a stage career toward the end of this book. It is 1903. Women had babies and raised families. Some women opted for careers in the arts. Erika wants both and will do what is necessary to “win”.
Ms. McDonnell’s debut novel stems from letters collected by her family about an ancestor pursuing an operatic career. Alth More...
“Lo giurai, la vincero.” Mezzo soprano Erika von Kessler sings these words in an Italian opera aria while fulfilling her dream of a stage career toward the end of this book. It is 1903. Women had babies and raised families. Some women opted for careers in the arts. Erika wants both and will do what is necessary to “win”.
Ms. McDonnell’s debut novel stems from letters collected by her family about an ancestor pursuing an operatic career. Alth More...
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Nov 22, 2010
Heather
rated it:
Living in Boston in 1906, Erica Von Kessler has high hopes of being an opera star. Her husband, Peter, has a differing opinion of Erica's career choice and is constantly herding her from one doctor to another in hopes of having their fertility issues resolved. When Erica and Peter engage the services of Dr. Ravell, Peter is very hopeful that Ravell's incredible advancements in the field will solve their problem once and for all. But Erica is far from being hopeful and it's her despondency over h
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Jun 27, 2010
Jennie
rated it:
As a free goodreads win, one just never knows how well written the story will be so this novel was much a surprise to me. I found myself disgusted with some of the decisions the character's made, I found myself yearning for unrealized dreams right along side the characters and I felt the sheer desperation to find something, anything to fill a void left in each of their hearts.
I took Erika to be a mouse when I first met her. She seemed timid and withdrawn in her quest to have a child More...
I took Erika to be a mouse when I first met her. She seemed timid and withdrawn in her quest to have a child More...
Jan 07, 2011
Jennie
rated it:
I'm torn on my rating here. On one hand, the book was solidly written. Beautiful prose, excellent "readability," grand adventure, and a fascinating set of backdrops over which the story was imposed.
On the other hand, the characters were so flawed that I found it almost impossible to root for any of them. This makes them realistic, but it also ensured that when I finished the book, I felt somewhat unsatisfied. Further, there was a huge revelation near the end of the story More...
On the other hand, the characters were so flawed that I found it almost impossible to root for any of them. This makes them realistic, but it also ensured that when I finished the book, I felt somewhat unsatisfied. Further, there was a huge revelation near the end of the story More...
Jul 03, 2010
Wendi
rated it:
The Doctor and The Diva
By Adrienne McDonnell
Published by PGD/Viking
A sweeping saga, The Doctor and The Diva spans over a decade of the life of Erika von Kessler an aspiring operatic diva and the men who loved her. From a privileged upbringing in Boston, marriage to a prominent entrepreneur and world traveler, and years of unsuccessful attempts at conception, Erika’s dream of becoming a famous diva takes a backseat to her husband’s deep desire to become a father.
Do More...
By Adrienne McDonnell
Published by PGD/Viking
A sweeping saga, The Doctor and The Diva spans over a decade of the life of Erika von Kessler an aspiring operatic diva and the men who loved her. From a privileged upbringing in Boston, marriage to a prominent entrepreneur and world traveler, and years of unsuccessful attempts at conception, Erika’s dream of becoming a famous diva takes a backseat to her husband’s deep desire to become a father.
Do More...
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Aug 31, 2011
Rene
rated it:
I was so surprised by this book! I was looking for something light in my to-be-read stack and I ended up with something that I couldn't put down. There were moments in this book when I felt myself in the room with the music, felt the vibrations through bones of the characters. The dilemma for a woman to either pursue her dreams of a career or investing in your family is something very pertinent for me right now. We all do what we trust we have to do, some may call it crazy, others call it brave.
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Nov 06, 2011
Marcia
rated it:
I heard the author, Adrienne McDonnell, speak in Montclair recently. The history of her efforts in writing the novel was quite interesting: luckily (for her) she married well, into an old Boston family when she was in her 20's, and proceeded to inherit an interesting story as well as old letters from her new husband's ancestors. The story formed the plot of the novel, involving a doctor, fertility treatments in the 1800's, and a couple; the wife hoped to be an opera singer when married women
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Dec 01, 2011
Kathleen
rated it:
This was a beautifully written book with a unique concept and some very intriguing characters. I fell in love with Ravell pretty early in the story even though I didn't approve of much of his behavior. Erika was a little harder for me to like. In the beginning I felt sorry for her but, by the middle of the book, I found her far less likable. I am not particularly bothered by infidelity (in stories) -- without conflict and tension there wouldn't be much plot -- I found Erika to be far too self-ab
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Dec 04, 2011
Nikki
rated it:
I was intrigued by the snippet on the back and decided to buy this book. It contained two of my favorite things - medicine and opera. It started out very promising. The characters quickly slipped into a pattern of extreme selfishness that I had a hard time dealing with. Some of the choices that the "diva" made were difficult to comprehend for a mother who treasures her children. I almost didn't finish reading it.
I felt the book was very well written however. The autho More...
I felt the book was very well written however. The autho More...
Nov 03, 2010
Alesa
rated it:
I picked this book because it had good reviews on the back by the likes of Gail Godwin and Sara Gruen. It started off strong, in a literary kind of way. It also discussed some really interesting ideas: fertility practices (and ethics thereof) at the turn of the 19th century, and motherhood vs career. But for me, the literary style kind of petered out about 2/3 of the way through the book. I believe that this was because the book was based partially on real lives, so the author had to figure
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Dec 16, 2011
Suzanne
rated it:
Beautifully written tale of ambition and forbidden attraction in the early 1900's. The settings of Boston, Italy, and Trinidad were evocative and richly described so that you could smell the air, feel the cobblestones and sand under your feet, and taste the luscious food. I couldn't imagine how Erika could leave her child and yet there are women who do, so despite the fact that I had trouble relating to this aspect of her, I recognized that it was conceivable for her as she was so determined to
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Aug 17, 2010
Linda
rated it:
I am a huge fan of historical fiction so I was really looking forward to this book.
Based in part on a true story the Diva of the title is Erika, a gifted singer who dreams of going to Italy to pursue her dream of becoming an opera singer; but she also yearns to have a child. Her husband Peter is a successful business man and world traveler. When they consult Dr. Ravell, a doctor who has had some success with treating infertile couples, they hope he is the answer to their prayer. He More...
Based in part on a true story the Diva of the title is Erika, a gifted singer who dreams of going to Italy to pursue her dream of becoming an opera singer; but she also yearns to have a child. Her husband Peter is a successful business man and world traveler. When they consult Dr. Ravell, a doctor who has had some success with treating infertile couples, they hope he is the answer to their prayer. He More...
Sep 16, 2010
amy
rated it:
I was drawn to this book by the beautiful cover and the title, as well as the blurb from the back. I also like to read first novels, and this is Adrienne McDonnell's.
Her writing is lush and sumptuous, with finely detailed characters that inhabit richly imagined (and I'd assume, researched) settings, from chilly turn-of-the-century Boston to charming Italian towns. I found that her writing came most alive when she wrote scenes in tropical Trinidad. I'm not being glib when I say I cou More...
Her writing is lush and sumptuous, with finely detailed characters that inhabit richly imagined (and I'd assume, researched) settings, from chilly turn-of-the-century Boston to charming Italian towns. I found that her writing came most alive when she wrote scenes in tropical Trinidad. I'm not being glib when I say I cou More...
Oct 06, 2011
Cayleigh
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 13, 2010
Marianne
rated it:
This is an interesting book, one with a story that I haven't read before, but it doesn't captivate you. The characters are interesting but not really likeable. The book should be fueled with stronger emotion, but I felt it fell flat in that area. The historical fiction aspect is good, but I fel there should have been more chacter developemtn, even if you hate characters at least you have feelings for them, in my opinion I really was not impressed by the characters and their actions and the en
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Jan 07, 2012
Joanne
rated it:
This could have been an early 20th Century soap opera! Married couple visits doctor after doctor trying to conceive a child even though the wife longs to pursue an operatic career in Italy and the husband spends most of the year traveling for his business and pursuing exciting adventures. Already asking yourself why they want to have a child? Enter the young, brilliant obstetrician who will do (trust me) ANYTHING to help them. What a pitiful, self-absorbed little trio! Couldn't find a lika
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Oct 25, 2011
Colleen
rated it:
Here is the review I wrote for www.readerunboxed.com:
The Doctor and the Diva is quite unlike any novel I have read before. We not only learn the history of modern fertility research and treatments but are introduced to wholly original characters that make decidedly human choices with often unseen consequences. Adrienne McDonnell has a descriptive style that has you tasting the salty sweat and tears right along with her characters. Each personage is fully developed enough for you to s More...
The Doctor and the Diva is quite unlike any novel I have read before. We not only learn the history of modern fertility research and treatments but are introduced to wholly original characters that make decidedly human choices with often unseen consequences. Adrienne McDonnell has a descriptive style that has you tasting the salty sweat and tears right along with her characters. Each personage is fully developed enough for you to s More...
Oct 24, 2010
Ala
rated it:
An intriguing soap opera complete with medical drama, lust and immorality. The historical note reads: "Although few readers may be aware of it, certain fertility procedures now considered 'modern' were used by physicians-behind a curtain of secrecy-more than a century ago."
I try not to know too much about a story before I read it (since a friend inadvertently spilled the who in The Scarlet Letter), so the historical note found me curious. I usually don't approve of characters More...
I try not to know too much about a story before I read it (since a friend inadvertently spilled the who in The Scarlet Letter), so the historical note found me curious. I usually don't approve of characters More...
