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Opera
'A moving story of longing and loss…' The Prairies Book Review. A wealthy arts patron receives a wrongly delivered letter at her secret address in Kensington. Her therapist recognises the intended recipient immediately, leading her into the hands of a defeated composer she will, together with her sweetest accomplice, help back into music.
168 pages, Paperback
Published February 8, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 25, 2019
Death is a certainty. Our death is as inevitable as our birth but that doesn’t matter. Real thing is how we live before dying. Mari Reiza’s Opera is tribute to the triumph of human spirit.
Ivanka is a rich lady who is dying, then she received a letter. This introduces her to Maria and they start work on opera again. Will she be able to live again before dying?
The story is moving and inspiring. The way Ivanka fight with her illness is gratifying and a lesson for all who are defeated by life. The story becomes somewhat boring and stretched at places and you need patience to finish.
3/5 stars.
March 10, 2019
Opera: Help Me Sing! By Mari Reiza is a story about Ivanka and the four men in her life - her husband Alexey, her gay Italian masseuse named Fer, her gay best friend Igor, and Maria the love interest.
I was offered a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I;m glad I was given a chance to review the book.
The story was engaging enough and short enough that I enjoyed reading Opera: Help Me Sing. In the end it’s really about a woman coming to terms with her life and learning to live – through opera once again - while dying.
Full review at MarissaLongo.com
I was offered a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I;m glad I was given a chance to review the book.
The story was engaging enough and short enough that I enjoyed reading Opera: Help Me Sing. In the end it’s really about a woman coming to terms with her life and learning to live – through opera once again - while dying.
Full review at MarissaLongo.com
March 3, 2019
I was excited to read Opera because I have never read any literature by Russian authors so this was a completely new experience for me. Another new experience is love stories a genre that I don't venture into much but is the genre that I've planned on reading more of!
My new little adventure was enjoyable and heartbreaking. I admire Ivanka so much for her strength and passion through-out the pages I read, she is the ideal representation of a ambitious woman who wants to inspire love and bring back hope while Maria I find to be very aggressive, introverted and just a outright miserable person; he's closed himself off because of a broken heart and it's turned him into a selfish-narcissist and I was under the impression that he was using Ivanka to fulfil primary his own benefits and interests. I also felt the other characters are using her as well which is what I find most heartbreaking.
The writing was very metaphorical and full of similes, very descriptive and flowed poetically, I'm feeling that maybe it was too much? But it never ruined the experience for me and so many cultural references which made me open my eyes and so thankful for the translations too. I love stories that give you little bits of worldly knowledge: British, Russian, Italian, Estonia! Another thing that I adored was the music; I never knew the difference between Operate and Operetta now I do!
My new little adventure was enjoyable and heartbreaking. I admire Ivanka so much for her strength and passion through-out the pages I read, she is the ideal representation of a ambitious woman who wants to inspire love and bring back hope while Maria I find to be very aggressive, introverted and just a outright miserable person; he's closed himself off because of a broken heart and it's turned him into a selfish-narcissist and I was under the impression that he was using Ivanka to fulfil primary his own benefits and interests. I also felt the other characters are using her as well which is what I find most heartbreaking.
The writing was very metaphorical and full of similes, very descriptive and flowed poetically, I'm feeling that maybe it was too much? But it never ruined the experience for me and so many cultural references which made me open my eyes and so thankful for the translations too. I love stories that give you little bits of worldly knowledge: British, Russian, Italian, Estonia! Another thing that I adored was the music; I never knew the difference between Operate and Operetta now I do!
May 8, 2018
Ivanka was once one of Russia’s wealthiest and most influential theatre and song promoters. She was a genius at finding talent. But now…she is just a shell of the person she was. She hasn’t told her husband that she is dying. He would look at her differently and she couldn’t handle that. By chance, an errant letter introduces Ivanka to Maria, a recluse, a man with a tragic past. Feeling a connection, Ivanka and Maria eventually become close and work on an operetta together. It has given them both a renewed vigor, something that makes each of them look forward to their tomorrows again.
This was a short read that held my interest most of the time. I felt like I got lost in the Italian diatribe too much and it took away from the story. I liked the tragic plot and the characters well enough. I just didn’t like how the conversations were a bit nilly willy. And I definitely did not like how the story was building up to a climax that never happened. The ending felt rushed and lacking. It made me feel like I had struggled through all the trite stuff only to have missed out on the show that the story was building up to.
This was a short read that held my interest most of the time. I felt like I got lost in the Italian diatribe too much and it took away from the story. I liked the tragic plot and the characters well enough. I just didn’t like how the conversations were a bit nilly willy. And I definitely did not like how the story was building up to a climax that never happened. The ending felt rushed and lacking. It made me feel like I had struggled through all the trite stuff only to have missed out on the show that the story was building up to.
March 6, 2018
Opera: Help Me Sing! by Mari Reiza, is a feminist, restorationist melodrama. Its primary character, Ivanka, is a Russian, living with her husband Alexey, in London. Their relationship is best summed up by a quotation from the book, “Had his money changed her, made her more valuable? Yet theirs was a story of misuse of wealth, of human limitation.” Ivanka, along with a trio of central characters -- Ferdinando, Igor, and Maria -- drive the story towards a satisfying and emotional conclusion.
Ivanka is slowly dying from cancer, and in the beginning, seems to have largely resigned herself to her fate. That is until she receives a letter addressed to J Maria Russo, one small part of the address was incorrect. For those who grew up under the American system of addresses and postal system, the British system will seem absolutely mind boggling -- how are you supposed to get around if everything is addressed in single and double digits, nothing in the hundreds or thousands? Russo is a gifted musician living in cultural and creative exile, and is soon awoken with Ivanka's visits and interventions.
Igor is Ivanka's oldest and best friend from Russia, and she considers him as part of her family. They have a long history, but Ivanka keeps her health a secret from him. Ferdinando is Ivanka's massage therapist, and he is initially kept in the dark concerning her marriage and family. Ivanka wants to play matchmaker for her two friends, hoping that they will complement and complete each other. It is these two that persuade her to take the incorrectly delivered letter to Russo. Ferdinando, especially, wants Ivanka to get to know him; Ferdinando is a fan of Russo's “Daughter of the Moon.”
The symbolism of the story is powerfully emotional and layered perfectly. Alexey, Ivanka's husband, is largely absent from the story, but his presence is felt in other ways, “...insisted on having Fer secretly yet thoroughly checked by one of her husband’s thugs.” Alexey represents the powerful, over-shadowing, masculine forces at work in the culture. But, those forces are resulting in sterility, and are in decline.
Ivanka, providentially given the McGuffin of the incorrectly directed letter, goes on a heroic journey to restore the cultural power of a failing musician. She initially refuses this call, but is prodded into action by Ferdinando, who also provides the comforts and emotional support of a mother-like figure. Igor, though a long-time friend, represents a connection to a painful past and something that she must struggle to work through. In the end, Ivanka is the muse that promotes the rebirth of culture, and upon completing her task, crosses the threshold never to return.
Opera: Help Me Sing! is intended for mature audiences. Having read many of Reiza's other works, this one is quite tame in its sexual content. In order to fully appreciate the book, one must have at least a passing knowledge of recent global events and cultural trends, or at least be willing to Google certain references. I have almost no complaints about the book, except that the action is slow to pick up steam and the beginning feels a bit dragged out. But, once it gets going, the book provides strong, emotional hooks that pull you from chapter to chapter. Overall, it is another excellent read from Reiza.
Ivanka is slowly dying from cancer, and in the beginning, seems to have largely resigned herself to her fate. That is until she receives a letter addressed to J Maria Russo, one small part of the address was incorrect. For those who grew up under the American system of addresses and postal system, the British system will seem absolutely mind boggling -- how are you supposed to get around if everything is addressed in single and double digits, nothing in the hundreds or thousands? Russo is a gifted musician living in cultural and creative exile, and is soon awoken with Ivanka's visits and interventions.
Igor is Ivanka's oldest and best friend from Russia, and she considers him as part of her family. They have a long history, but Ivanka keeps her health a secret from him. Ferdinando is Ivanka's massage therapist, and he is initially kept in the dark concerning her marriage and family. Ivanka wants to play matchmaker for her two friends, hoping that they will complement and complete each other. It is these two that persuade her to take the incorrectly delivered letter to Russo. Ferdinando, especially, wants Ivanka to get to know him; Ferdinando is a fan of Russo's “Daughter of the Moon.”
The symbolism of the story is powerfully emotional and layered perfectly. Alexey, Ivanka's husband, is largely absent from the story, but his presence is felt in other ways, “...insisted on having Fer secretly yet thoroughly checked by one of her husband’s thugs.” Alexey represents the powerful, over-shadowing, masculine forces at work in the culture. But, those forces are resulting in sterility, and are in decline.
Ivanka, providentially given the McGuffin of the incorrectly directed letter, goes on a heroic journey to restore the cultural power of a failing musician. She initially refuses this call, but is prodded into action by Ferdinando, who also provides the comforts and emotional support of a mother-like figure. Igor, though a long-time friend, represents a connection to a painful past and something that she must struggle to work through. In the end, Ivanka is the muse that promotes the rebirth of culture, and upon completing her task, crosses the threshold never to return.
Opera: Help Me Sing! is intended for mature audiences. Having read many of Reiza's other works, this one is quite tame in its sexual content. In order to fully appreciate the book, one must have at least a passing knowledge of recent global events and cultural trends, or at least be willing to Google certain references. I have almost no complaints about the book, except that the action is slow to pick up steam and the beginning feels a bit dragged out. But, once it gets going, the book provides strong, emotional hooks that pull you from chapter to chapter. Overall, it is another excellent read from Reiza.
February 25, 2018
While we have life, we should be appreciative of every breath we take every opportunity to spend with others, and the ability to share the love with anyone we encounter. Our time in this world are numbered, many still have a difficult time wrapping their heads around this sad fact. In “Opera”, author Mari Reiza shares the life of a Russian woman, Ivanka, who is terminally ill and has a final wish to accomplish. Although she doesn’t have much time left, she decides to make the most of it with an idea to bring her art back to life. A rebirth to not only her singing career in opera but to aid the revival of a man in need to find what he once lost. Meeting the famous music artist and songwriter, Jose Maria Russo of “Daughter of the Moon,” has added a new meaning to live for. It was almost an easy distraction once she was able to convince others of her idea, without exactly revealing her full plan to each individual involved. I believe she loved each of the men in her life because they all played a special role that allowed her to remain happy and grateful to have them. Some would call it fate, while others would say it was mapped out as each of their destinies to see life through from a different angle.
Meeting Maria and learning about his life seemed to be based on such delicacy, and had to be handled with utmost care. Discovering how much pain he was in after not living his life as the musician and songwriter he was, can be felt through carefully crafted descriptions by the author. Ferdinando, Ivanka’s masseuse, was a delightful character to read about along with witnessing how well he took care of her, despite her not so good moments. Alexey, Ivanka’s husband, even though he was hardly around, you feel the amount of love he has for his wife, feeling helpless and scared to lose her. Igor, Ivanka’s friend who she treated like a son she wished she had, only wanted to make sure he had a love of his life, someone to look after him as she always had. Ivanka became the human glue that merged the lives of these four men, as the powerful and love-giving woman she was. One can only hope these men will remain in each other’s lives like family for the sake of Ivanka. Hopefully, anyone who reads this book would take a moment to re-evaluate what they want to accomplish in their lives to go out and do it while they’re still able.
To call the character Ivanka as living her last life’s wish would be an understatement. She felt she didn’t have very long and wanted everyone she loved to be happy long after she’s gone. I found that to be a very selfless thing one can do, even though you have no true control of the future. The ending would leave any reader with both a sense of unexpected feelings, while at the same time grateful for how things happened for everyone. There will always be a wonder of what would’ve happened if she realized her idea years ago, what would the ending be like. I recommend those who enjoy Russian and Italian culture, along with art and music to give this book a read.
Meeting Maria and learning about his life seemed to be based on such delicacy, and had to be handled with utmost care. Discovering how much pain he was in after not living his life as the musician and songwriter he was, can be felt through carefully crafted descriptions by the author. Ferdinando, Ivanka’s masseuse, was a delightful character to read about along with witnessing how well he took care of her, despite her not so good moments. Alexey, Ivanka’s husband, even though he was hardly around, you feel the amount of love he has for his wife, feeling helpless and scared to lose her. Igor, Ivanka’s friend who she treated like a son she wished she had, only wanted to make sure he had a love of his life, someone to look after him as she always had. Ivanka became the human glue that merged the lives of these four men, as the powerful and love-giving woman she was. One can only hope these men will remain in each other’s lives like family for the sake of Ivanka. Hopefully, anyone who reads this book would take a moment to re-evaluate what they want to accomplish in their lives to go out and do it while they’re still able.
To call the character Ivanka as living her last life’s wish would be an understatement. She felt she didn’t have very long and wanted everyone she loved to be happy long after she’s gone. I found that to be a very selfless thing one can do, even though you have no true control of the future. The ending would leave any reader with both a sense of unexpected feelings, while at the same time grateful for how things happened for everyone. There will always be a wonder of what would’ve happened if she realized her idea years ago, what would the ending be like. I recommend those who enjoy Russian and Italian culture, along with art and music to give this book a read.
February 25, 2018
“But if you hide your losses, you could perhaps fake that you’re winning?”
Ivanka has moved into a little apartment to get away from life for a while. She is struggling to keep herself together and is closed herself off from people and emotions. One day she receives a letter in the mail that is neither for her nor her landlord. Her therapist recognizes the name on the letter has a famous Italian pop star whose band broke up. She finds herself returning the letter to him as he lives in her building. Between them a strange bond forms connected through music.
This is a story of mysteries that lead to answers that burst into more questions. Ivanka is a strange character. Not only does the way she views the world filled with fear, discussed, and anger but she cuts herself off, hides her emotions and barriers them deep. But she still finds herself connected to people, and more than that, the people around her seem to need her. Her presence has a power over others, particularly the men in her life. From her husband to her lover to her therapist to Maria. Each plays an important part in her journey, but perhaps Fer, her therapist, is the most heartwarming character in his genuine concern for Ivanka. There is a web of people that surround Ivanka that are more like shadows then human beings as we only get to see them through the lens of Ivanka’s mind.
Maria has had his own struggles and has closed himself off as well. Throughout the book, his sad musical history comes forth, and Ivanka helps him push past. Two people who have cut themselves emotionally off form the people around them. They are both struggling at a deep level with who they are and how they interact with the world around them. But a simple song builds a bridge between the two of them to cling to. An unlikely pair but together they find strength. The reason they are so compelling as a pair is that they are not afraid to tell each other the truth. They call the other out on what they have both been doing, refusing to live.
Author Mari Reiza has a wonderful way with words that takes you into the thoughts of Ivanka that are both wondering and sad. The story is breathtaking as it looks at raw and real emotions. I found myself captivated trying to understand the mental journey that both Ivanka and Maria were going through. This book was not afraid to look into the dark and hard emotions of humankind. I enjoyed reading this book and the beautiful writing style immensely. I am very excited to follow this author and continue reading the rest of the book written by Reiza. I would highly recommend this story to those interested in the human condition and stories of strength and sadness. Beautiful story.
Ivanka has moved into a little apartment to get away from life for a while. She is struggling to keep herself together and is closed herself off from people and emotions. One day she receives a letter in the mail that is neither for her nor her landlord. Her therapist recognizes the name on the letter has a famous Italian pop star whose band broke up. She finds herself returning the letter to him as he lives in her building. Between them a strange bond forms connected through music.
This is a story of mysteries that lead to answers that burst into more questions. Ivanka is a strange character. Not only does the way she views the world filled with fear, discussed, and anger but she cuts herself off, hides her emotions and barriers them deep. But she still finds herself connected to people, and more than that, the people around her seem to need her. Her presence has a power over others, particularly the men in her life. From her husband to her lover to her therapist to Maria. Each plays an important part in her journey, but perhaps Fer, her therapist, is the most heartwarming character in his genuine concern for Ivanka. There is a web of people that surround Ivanka that are more like shadows then human beings as we only get to see them through the lens of Ivanka’s mind.
Maria has had his own struggles and has closed himself off as well. Throughout the book, his sad musical history comes forth, and Ivanka helps him push past. Two people who have cut themselves emotionally off form the people around them. They are both struggling at a deep level with who they are and how they interact with the world around them. But a simple song builds a bridge between the two of them to cling to. An unlikely pair but together they find strength. The reason they are so compelling as a pair is that they are not afraid to tell each other the truth. They call the other out on what they have both been doing, refusing to live.
Author Mari Reiza has a wonderful way with words that takes you into the thoughts of Ivanka that are both wondering and sad. The story is breathtaking as it looks at raw and real emotions. I found myself captivated trying to understand the mental journey that both Ivanka and Maria were going through. This book was not afraid to look into the dark and hard emotions of humankind. I enjoyed reading this book and the beautiful writing style immensely. I am very excited to follow this author and continue reading the rest of the book written by Reiza. I would highly recommend this story to those interested in the human condition and stories of strength and sadness. Beautiful story.
March 5, 2018
Opera by Mari Reiza is a Romantic story in the classical sense rather than what a modern romance story would be. It is full of love, hope, life, and death. We follow the journey of Ivanka and her experiences, where we learn more about her and the people in her life. There is a darkness hovering over Ivanka, and she is trying to navigate her life with this darkness and how it also affects her loved ones. At first, she is sorrowful, but then she finds something, by chance, to give her life new meaning and purpose. She is content.
When I first began this book, I was not sure what to expect. It was different, but it had an air of familiarity to it. Opera feels like a classic novel I would have read in high school. The book is written beautifully, almost lyrically. This is not the kind of book I typically read, but I did quite enjoy this.
I was thrown off by the beginning. Ivanka was emotional. Her thoughts were disorganized, and she was often mean toward people around her. Her life then changed with the letter. The story was slightly confusing and slow before the letter, but it became clear as we gathered more pieces of the story. The letter moved the story along in a tale of intrigue. Opera was not predictable. The book seemed as if J.D. Salinger and Jane Austen came together to create a story, as the complex characters interacted over a short period of time with the classic Romance thrown in. The characters in the book were diverse as well, which I enjoyed.
The themes of the book were hope and strength. There were many struggles. Without giving too much away, one is a life and death, and one is the death of love. Out of these deaths, hope is born. Ivanka is a strong fighter who pushes through despite her illness. One of my favorite parts of Opera is the parallel of the mini-opera that Ivanka and Marie were working on and the story framing it. The author used one of my favorite literary devices framing. We got to learn about the mini-opera that was written, which helped emphasize the main story going on outside of it.
Maria and Ivanka’s relationship is touching and endearing. Their dynamic was genuine, and they brought out the best in each other. I think that is beautiful. One of my favorite parts of the story is how they both thought of the other as “alien,” not of this Earth. Maria thought that Ivanka “belonged to the moon” and if that is Romantic, then I do not know what is.
Warning: This story is emotional. As I have said before, it is much like a classic Romantic novel or story, and in that same vein, it does tug at the heartstrings. While the ending was sad, it did give finality to the story. The mini-opera and the main story intertwined and closed so wonderfully.
When I first began this book, I was not sure what to expect. It was different, but it had an air of familiarity to it. Opera feels like a classic novel I would have read in high school. The book is written beautifully, almost lyrically. This is not the kind of book I typically read, but I did quite enjoy this.
I was thrown off by the beginning. Ivanka was emotional. Her thoughts were disorganized, and she was often mean toward people around her. Her life then changed with the letter. The story was slightly confusing and slow before the letter, but it became clear as we gathered more pieces of the story. The letter moved the story along in a tale of intrigue. Opera was not predictable. The book seemed as if J.D. Salinger and Jane Austen came together to create a story, as the complex characters interacted over a short period of time with the classic Romance thrown in. The characters in the book were diverse as well, which I enjoyed.
The themes of the book were hope and strength. There were many struggles. Without giving too much away, one is a life and death, and one is the death of love. Out of these deaths, hope is born. Ivanka is a strong fighter who pushes through despite her illness. One of my favorite parts of Opera is the parallel of the mini-opera that Ivanka and Marie were working on and the story framing it. The author used one of my favorite literary devices framing. We got to learn about the mini-opera that was written, which helped emphasize the main story going on outside of it.
Maria and Ivanka’s relationship is touching and endearing. Their dynamic was genuine, and they brought out the best in each other. I think that is beautiful. One of my favorite parts of the story is how they both thought of the other as “alien,” not of this Earth. Maria thought that Ivanka “belonged to the moon” and if that is Romantic, then I do not know what is.
Warning: This story is emotional. As I have said before, it is much like a classic Romantic novel or story, and in that same vein, it does tug at the heartstrings. While the ending was sad, it did give finality to the story. The mini-opera and the main story intertwined and closed so wonderfully.
February 22, 2019
Book focuses on 4 main characters - Ivanka, a Russian ex-patron of the arts with a terminal illness, her Italian masseuse, her best friend, and her newly discovered muse. The story itself is refreshing, but I personally thought it was very choppy and hard to follow until 1/3 to 1/2 way through the book when it started flowing better. I also had a hard time relating to the main character originally as she comes off as stand-offish. I would have liked to see a little more description of characters and events occurring in the book as well as maybe a little more back story of the characters to help you relate to them more and help the reader understand the decisions they make and their motivations for their actions.
July 18, 2019
Ivanka, a Russian art patron, has almost given up on life after a difficult clinical diagnosis when a wrongly delivered letter put her in touch with Maria, a reclusive gifted musician. Ivanka finds a purpose in life as she takes on the difficult task of getting Maria back into music with the help of her best friend Igor and therapist Fer.
Reiza’s characterization is complex as her protagonists confront their inner turmoil and come to term with the circumstances of their lives. Reiza expertly tackles a moving subject with precision and clarity, and comes up with a satisfying, heartfelt finale. Seductively readable, the book will appeal to serious readers of literary fiction.
A powerful, moving portrayal of a woman who is trying to make most out of her bleak situation.
Reiza’s characterization is complex as her protagonists confront their inner turmoil and come to term with the circumstances of their lives. Reiza expertly tackles a moving subject with precision and clarity, and comes up with a satisfying, heartfelt finale. Seductively readable, the book will appeal to serious readers of literary fiction.
A powerful, moving portrayal of a woman who is trying to make most out of her bleak situation.
March 8, 2020
Opera — Help me sing was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The story starts without much of an explanation about what is going on. So for me it was hard to get into the story, especially as the wiring style of Mari Reiza needs getting used to. Once you get to the second part of the story it gets easier. Background information about the characters are given and the motives are explained. Personally I didn't like the first part but the second part eventually pulled me in. For me the book could have been better if some information about the character's life were given in the beginning. So if you are looking for something different and are not scarred off by a bumpy start Opera is the book for you.
The story starts without much of an explanation about what is going on. So for me it was hard to get into the story, especially as the wiring style of Mari Reiza needs getting used to. Once you get to the second part of the story it gets easier. Background information about the characters are given and the motives are explained. Personally I didn't like the first part but the second part eventually pulled me in. For me the book could have been better if some information about the character's life were given in the beginning. So if you are looking for something different and are not scarred off by a bumpy start Opera is the book for you.
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