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The Doctor and the Diva: A Novel by Adrienne…
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The Doctor and the Diva: A Novel (original 2010; edition 2010)

by Adrienne McDonnell

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21322126,748 (3.38)14
Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML:A breathtaking novel of romantic obsession, longing and one woman's choice between motherhood and her operatic calling
It is 1903. Dr. Ravell is a young Harvard-educated obstetrician with a growing reputation for helping couples conceive. He has treated women from all walks of Boston society, but when Ravell meets Erika-an opera singer whose beauty is surpassed only by her spellbinding voice-he knows their doctor-patient relationship will be like none he has ever had.
After struggling for years to become pregnant, Erika believes there is no hope. Her mind is made up: she will leave her prominent Bostonian husband to pursue her career in Italy, a plan both unconventional and risky. But becoming Ravell's patient will change her life in ways she never could have imagined.
Lush and stunningly realized, The Doctor and the Diva moves from snowy Boston to the jungles of Trinidad to the gilded balconies of Florence. This magnificent debut is a tale of passionate love affairs, dangerous decisions, and a woman's irreconcilable desires as she is forced to choose between the child she has always longed for and the opera career she cannot live without. Inspired by the author's family history, the novel is sensual, sexy, and heart-stopping in its bittersweet beauty.
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Member:amarantine
Title:The Doctor and the Diva: A Novel
Authors:Adrienne McDonnell
Info:Pamela Dorman Books (2010), Edition: First Edition, Hardcover, 432 pages
Collections:MASTERLIST 1
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The Doctor and the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell (2010)

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» See also 14 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 23 (next | show all)
So, what happens next? ( )
  MarthaJeanne | Oct 25, 2016 |
I did enjoy this book even though some of the choices of the characters are not necessarly ones people will agree with. I found myself being sympethetic with Erika. As a professional business woman who suffered with infertility for 5 years and did finally have 2 daughters of my own. I felt her torn feelings between motherhood and her hearts desire. Life is not clear cut like most people want it to be and this story explores the many difficult decisions people have to make and their effects. ( )
  theeccentriclady | Sep 4, 2011 |
Erika von Kessler is married to Peter. They visit Ravell, a fertility doctor. Ravell discovers that Peter is sterile. Ravell betrays his oath and uses his sperm. Erika miscarries. Then she resumes her singing career. When she and Peter visit Ravell in the Caribbean, they make love. She gets pregnant, has a son, leaves the son to pursue her career in Italy and finally returns to Ravell who follows her to Italy. Sounds preposterous, but developed quite well.
  MarkMeg | Feb 17, 2011 |
A talented young woman, Erika von Kessler is torn between wanting a child and a career as an opera singer. Her husband desires only the child and when they have difficult conceiving, consult many doctors. Finally Dr. Ravell helps them but in an unconventional way which puts him firmly in the lives of Erika and her husband. Set in pre-WW I the plot moves between New York, Trindad and Italy. Ordinary tale and the most interesting parts are the fertility problem and role of the physician and the process of becoming an opera singer. Ending is more realistic than romantic. ( )
  pak6th | Feb 6, 2011 |
Did not seem a realistic logical story even though the author did use actual information.
Did not enjoy the characters.
  shazjhb | Jan 14, 2011 |
Showing 1-5 of 23 (next | show all)
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For my parents, Catherine and Phil McDonnell
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Doctor Ravell had already missed the funeral.
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Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML:A breathtaking novel of romantic obsession, longing and one woman's choice between motherhood and her operatic calling
It is 1903. Dr. Ravell is a young Harvard-educated obstetrician with a growing reputation for helping couples conceive. He has treated women from all walks of Boston society, but when Ravell meets Erika-an opera singer whose beauty is surpassed only by her spellbinding voice-he knows their doctor-patient relationship will be like none he has ever had.
After struggling for years to become pregnant, Erika believes there is no hope. Her mind is made up: she will leave her prominent Bostonian husband to pursue her career in Italy, a plan both unconventional and risky. But becoming Ravell's patient will change her life in ways she never could have imagined.
Lush and stunningly realized, The Doctor and the Diva moves from snowy Boston to the jungles of Trinidad to the gilded balconies of Florence. This magnificent debut is a tale of passionate love affairs, dangerous decisions, and a woman's irreconcilable desires as she is forced to choose between the child she has always longed for and the opera career she cannot live without. Inspired by the author's family history, the novel is sensual, sexy, and heart-stopping in its bittersweet beauty.
Watch a Video.

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