The Doctor and the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell
Oh my!! I loved this story and I can find no fault with it. Historical fiction that tells a very interesting story, a story that was inspired by McDonnell 's son's paternal ancestors. The characters were vivid, bold, and endlessly entertaining. The scenes and locations were exquisite. Trinidad and the coconut plantation set my imagination on fire and I yearned to wear a beautiful, colorful sari. The story flowed wonderfully along and the character's drew me in to their adventures. Thankfully, McDonnell didn't bother with too many characters and I certainly appreciate that fact. It is tiresome to keep up with oodles of players when one is reading and I liked that this book told the story of three main characters, the diva, Erika and her husband Peter, and the long suffering Doctor Ravell. Two of the main characters are horribly selfish but, like Scarlett O'Hara in GWTW, both are likeable and easy to root for. I wrestled with both of their decisions but it didn't prevent me from caring about them.
Erika Von Kessler is an aspiring diva of the Opera world. She and her husband, Peter, have been trying to conceive a child without success. Peter drags his wife from one specialist to another and it becomes painfully obvious that Erika may not care to have a child ruin her chances of becoming a diva in Italy. This is Erika's dream. Peter is obsessed with parenthood and probably for all the wrong reasons. Enter Ravell, the up and coming infertility specialist. Boston will never be the same for these three people. They will share a unique bond for the rest of their lives. All three will soon know tragedy, joy, love, and heartbreak. Their connection will disperse each to different continents, each making choices that are life altering. Forever.
So I'll say it again. I loved this book! Well told. And let me say this, too. I read different reviews before I chose to read this novel. Someone said this story was repetitive. I beg to differ. I was never bored on one single page. In fact, I would have loved to read two hundred more pages. Brava, Adrienne McDonnell! Brava!
