The unexpected diva A novel

Eliza Greenfield is a gifted vocalist with a three-octave range, but as a Black woman in the 1850s, her options are limited. Raised in Philadelphia by Miss Lizbeth, a Quaker abolitionist, Eliza has had opportunities to further her talent, but her dream is to study music in Europe. When Miss Lizbeth dies, Eliza seizes the chance to tour the northern U.S. and Canada with Charles, a handsome young musician, as her traveling companion. Segregated theaters, slave catchers, and pervasive racism are ever-present concerns, and Eliza must determine how to use her talent to uplift rather than to reinforce the status quo. In her first historical novel, Warren (All the Things I Meant to Tell You, 2021) explores the life of a gifted, young Black woman during the decade prior to emancipation, highlighting her extraordinary accomplishments and the tenacity required for Eliza to achieve her dreams. Vivid portrayals of her performances are included throughout, and her determination to succeed despite the multitude of barriers blocking her path is inspiring. Warren deftly balances Eliza's personal and professional lives, providing insight into her character and her talent. Eliza's resilience, persistence, and ambition will strike a chord with readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong female characters.

Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield is a diva because she has a voice for the ages. She's unexpected because she's a Black woman in 1850s America. A contemporary of Jenny Lind--with a greater vocal range--the real Greenfield became known as the Black Swan and was met with remarkable success, given the landscape of her times. Author Warren follows the trajectory of Greenfield's life, filling in many gaps in the historical record with well-researched fiction. Eliza has been lucky in many ways: She is educated, financially supported, and free, though two of those things could be taken away at any time. In the wake of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act, any Black person is at risk of being kidnapped and sold into bondage. From the age of 7, Eliza was raised in Philadelphia by Elizabeth Greenfield, an elderly white Quaker she calls Miss Lizbeth. After Miss Lizbeth dies when Eliza is 26, Eliza's inheritance is contested by her benefactor's niece and held up in legal limbo. She's undaunted, however, and with the support of some wonderful friends, she soon finds patrons, as well as a manager to advance her singing career. Eliza is constantly threatened by racism, precarity, and sometimes violence, and while these stakes are frequently stated, they are not always felt in the book. Eliza's love interest, Charles Monroe, insists she can and should do more to uplift other Black people, but she thinks she must look after her own success and safety first. This and many other potentially painful themes around privilege, race, and access to power recur, but Eliza is so steadfast in her determination that they don't have the weight they might. Still, it's always a pleasure to have a protagonist confident in her own self-worth, and the historical details, especially around the thriving, pre-Civil War communities of free Blacks in the North, are excellent. A loving tribute to a previously unsung heroine. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.