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The Unexpected Diva
Before the Civil War, Black opera singer Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield reigned supreme on Northern stages—even performing at Buckingham Palace. Novelist Tiffany L Warren brings this remarkable but forgotten diva’s remarkable story to life for modern readers.
Born into slavery on a Mississippi plantation, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield has been raised in the safety of Philadelphia’s Quaker community by a wealthy adoptive mother. Sheltered and educated, Eliza’s happy childhood always included music lessons to nurture her unique gift: a glorious three octave singing voice that leaves listeners in awe. But on the eve of her twenty-fourth birthday, young Eliza’s world is thrown into a tailspin when her mother dies.
Eliza’s inheritance is contested by her mother’s white cousins, leaving her few options. She can marry her longtime beau, Lucien, though she has no desire to be a wife and mother. Or she can work as a tutor for rich families. Her mother’s dying wish was for Eliza to pursue her talent and become a professional singer, but that grand vision now seems out of reach.
When a chance performance on a steamboat to Buffalo, New York, leads to a surprising opportunity, fearless Eliza seizes her moment. Within a year she is touring America, singing to packed houses, and igniting controversy wherever she goes. In a country captivated by “the Swedish Nightingale” Jenny Lind, Eliza is billed by tour promoters as “the Black Swan.” An unlikely diva, Eliza is tall, dark-skinned, and robust of figure compared to the petite European prima donna, but even the harshest critics can’t deny Eliza’s extraordinary gift. Menaced by racist crowds, threatened by slave-catchers who kidnap free Black people, Eliza lives a public life full of risk, but one which also holds the promise of great riches, and the freedoms those buy.
From the churches of Philadelphia to Queen Victoria’s salon in Buckingham Palace, Eliza Greenfield will blaze her own path—with a voice that no listener will ever forget.
Born into slavery on a Mississippi plantation, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield has been raised in the safety of Philadelphia’s Quaker community by a wealthy adoptive mother. Sheltered and educated, Eliza’s happy childhood always included music lessons to nurture her unique gift: a glorious three octave singing voice that leaves listeners in awe. But on the eve of her twenty-fourth birthday, young Eliza’s world is thrown into a tailspin when her mother dies.
Eliza’s inheritance is contested by her mother’s white cousins, leaving her few options. She can marry her longtime beau, Lucien, though she has no desire to be a wife and mother. Or she can work as a tutor for rich families. Her mother’s dying wish was for Eliza to pursue her talent and become a professional singer, but that grand vision now seems out of reach.
When a chance performance on a steamboat to Buffalo, New York, leads to a surprising opportunity, fearless Eliza seizes her moment. Within a year she is touring America, singing to packed houses, and igniting controversy wherever she goes. In a country captivated by “the Swedish Nightingale” Jenny Lind, Eliza is billed by tour promoters as “the Black Swan.” An unlikely diva, Eliza is tall, dark-skinned, and robust of figure compared to the petite European prima donna, but even the harshest critics can’t deny Eliza’s extraordinary gift. Menaced by racist crowds, threatened by slave-catchers who kidnap free Black people, Eliza lives a public life full of risk, but one which also holds the promise of great riches, and the freedoms those buy.
From the churches of Philadelphia to Queen Victoria’s salon in Buckingham Palace, Eliza Greenfield will blaze her own path—with a voice that no listener will ever forget.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2025
118 people are currently reading
6892 people want to read
About the author
Tiffany L. Warren
25 books442 followersTiffany L. Warren began her writing career in 2003 when she signed with Walk Worthy Press to publish her debut, What a Sista Should Do. She has gone on to publish over thirty full-length novels (eleven under pen name Nikki Carter) with Hachette Book Group and Kensington Books (Dafina). Tiffany has also independently published seven novellas.
In addition to writing books, Tiffany has a love for theatre, especially musicals. She has used her songwriting talent to write and produce several stage plays: What a Sista Should Do, The Replacement Wife and Just Like Yo’ Daddy, which featured many familiar faces like the late Tommy Ford (Martin), Grammy winning Shirley Murdock, Terri J. Vaughn (The Steve Harvey Show) and Christian Keyes to name a few.
Tiffany’s latest venture has been in the film realm with book to film projects. Her 2015 release, The Favorite Son, is now a movie produced by Swirl Films streaming on BET+ and airing on BET, starring Rotimi and Grammy winning gospel superstar Jonathan McReynolds. Her second film project is a holiday adaptation of The Replacement Wife called Sound of Christmas starring R&B stars Ne-Yo and Serayah. Both her films ranked number one on the BET+ streaming platform at the time of their release being produced by MegaMind Media. Currently in production is a holiday sequel to Favorite Son called A Favorite Son Christmas.
Tiffany’s latest project is a historical fiction novel, about the first black prima donna Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. Published by William Morrow, the novel entitled A Swan’s Song hits shelves in Spring 2024. You can reach Tiffany on Facebook (@AuthorTiffanyLWarren), Twitter, Instagram, and Clubhouse (@tiffanylwarren), and online at www.tiffanylwarren.com.
In addition to writing books, Tiffany has a love for theatre, especially musicals. She has used her songwriting talent to write and produce several stage plays: What a Sista Should Do, The Replacement Wife and Just Like Yo’ Daddy, which featured many familiar faces like the late Tommy Ford (Martin), Grammy winning Shirley Murdock, Terri J. Vaughn (The Steve Harvey Show) and Christian Keyes to name a few.
Tiffany’s latest venture has been in the film realm with book to film projects. Her 2015 release, The Favorite Son, is now a movie produced by Swirl Films streaming on BET+ and airing on BET, starring Rotimi and Grammy winning gospel superstar Jonathan McReynolds. Her second film project is a holiday adaptation of The Replacement Wife called Sound of Christmas starring R&B stars Ne-Yo and Serayah. Both her films ranked number one on the BET+ streaming platform at the time of their release being produced by MegaMind Media. Currently in production is a holiday sequel to Favorite Son called A Favorite Son Christmas.
Tiffany’s latest project is a historical fiction novel, about the first black prima donna Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. Published by William Morrow, the novel entitled A Swan’s Song hits shelves in Spring 2024. You can reach Tiffany on Facebook (@AuthorTiffanyLWarren), Twitter, Instagram, and Clubhouse (@tiffanylwarren), and online at www.tiffanylwarren.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
September 4, 2025
1850, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth “Eliza” Taylor Greenfield was born a slave on a plantation in Natchez, Mississippi, she was raised by her adopted mother and in the safety of Philadelphia’s Quaker community. Eliza’s childhood was happy, it involved going to school, church and having music lessons.
When her mother Elizabeth H. Greenfield passed away, distant cousins from the South contest the will, she's forced out of the house, and her friends thought the solution to her problems was get married and instead she teaches music.
Eliza was traveling on a steamboat back to Buffalo, New York when she meets a wealthy socialite who asks her to perform at her house, this leads to her touring America and singing. Eliza dreams of two things, being reunited with her family, they fled to Liberia and become an opera singer in Europe.
Eliza had to overcome numerous obstacles, including racist crowds, slave-catchers despite being free and having the papers to prove it and she didn't feel safe, she’s judged by her skin colour, what she wore and even her morals are questioned.
Eliza defied convection, she became a famous singer, and she travelled to England and preformed concerts with her three octave voice for Dukes and Duchesses, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Queen Victoria and before the outbreak of the American Civil War.
Tiffany L. Warren's historical narrative is based on the life and accomplishments of the first coloured opera singer or diva Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, it’s a remarkable story about resilience, courage, bravery, following your dreams, the perfect choice for readers of inspirational fiction or women’s history month.
Thanks to William Morrow and Tiffany for my copy and I'm very sorry it took me so long to read it. Five stars from me, I highly recommend and look forward to Ms Warren’s next novel and encore.
When her mother Elizabeth H. Greenfield passed away, distant cousins from the South contest the will, she's forced out of the house, and her friends thought the solution to her problems was get married and instead she teaches music.
Eliza was traveling on a steamboat back to Buffalo, New York when she meets a wealthy socialite who asks her to perform at her house, this leads to her touring America and singing. Eliza dreams of two things, being reunited with her family, they fled to Liberia and become an opera singer in Europe.
Eliza had to overcome numerous obstacles, including racist crowds, slave-catchers despite being free and having the papers to prove it and she didn't feel safe, she’s judged by her skin colour, what she wore and even her morals are questioned.
Eliza defied convection, she became a famous singer, and she travelled to England and preformed concerts with her three octave voice for Dukes and Duchesses, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Queen Victoria and before the outbreak of the American Civil War.
Tiffany L. Warren's historical narrative is based on the life and accomplishments of the first coloured opera singer or diva Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, it’s a remarkable story about resilience, courage, bravery, following your dreams, the perfect choice for readers of inspirational fiction or women’s history month.
Thanks to William Morrow and Tiffany for my copy and I'm very sorry it took me so long to read it. Five stars from me, I highly recommend and look forward to Ms Warren’s next novel and encore.
October 31, 2024
I am so thankful that the author reached out to me to ask if I would be interested in reading her upcoming historical fiction novel, The Unexpected Diva. It is excellent and will be one of my favorite reads this year!
Told in the first person, the story is about the real-life Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, a Black opera singer in pre-Civil War America (1850s). I had never heard of her or knew that she was the first Black American to sing for Queen Victoria.
Elizabeth (Eliza) is a fascinating woman and seeing the story unfold through her eyes drew me right into the story. Enslaved at birth but freed after the death of the slave holder, she grew up under the care of his widow who was an abolitionist and who nurtured Eliza’s love of singing (she had a three-octave voice).
Eliza faced many restraints as to what she could do, both due to her skin color and to the control men exercised over women in the 1800s. But she was resililent and gutsy with a strong belief in herself. She lived in a time when women were expected to marry and raise a family and nothing else. But Eliza refused to be limited and pursued her dream of being a famous opera singer even when many obstacles were put in her path.
The story is well-written and includes elements of what life was like for Black citizens in pre-Civil War America, even in the more liberal North. Black patrons couldn’t attend Eliza’s concerts in the North and where they could, protestors were out in full force. Slave traders came from the southern states to “catch” slaves who had fled the south - anyone who was Black, particularly the poor, could be grabbed by these traders and sold to plantations. The novel also weaves in the Underground Railway and how it helped many escape to Canada. Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin showing the abhorrent conditions of slavery, makes an appearance as one of Eliza’s benefactors.
Eliza is the heart of this story and I was intrigued by her life (the author notes that some aspects are fictionalized). I highly recommend this one to all historical fiction lovers.
Thanks again to the author for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
Told in the first person, the story is about the real-life Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, a Black opera singer in pre-Civil War America (1850s). I had never heard of her or knew that she was the first Black American to sing for Queen Victoria.
Elizabeth (Eliza) is a fascinating woman and seeing the story unfold through her eyes drew me right into the story. Enslaved at birth but freed after the death of the slave holder, she grew up under the care of his widow who was an abolitionist and who nurtured Eliza’s love of singing (she had a three-octave voice).
Eliza faced many restraints as to what she could do, both due to her skin color and to the control men exercised over women in the 1800s. But she was resililent and gutsy with a strong belief in herself. She lived in a time when women were expected to marry and raise a family and nothing else. But Eliza refused to be limited and pursued her dream of being a famous opera singer even when many obstacles were put in her path.
The story is well-written and includes elements of what life was like for Black citizens in pre-Civil War America, even in the more liberal North. Black patrons couldn’t attend Eliza’s concerts in the North and where they could, protestors were out in full force. Slave traders came from the southern states to “catch” slaves who had fled the south - anyone who was Black, particularly the poor, could be grabbed by these traders and sold to plantations. The novel also weaves in the Underground Railway and how it helped many escape to Canada. Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin showing the abhorrent conditions of slavery, makes an appearance as one of Eliza’s benefactors.
Eliza is the heart of this story and I was intrigued by her life (the author notes that some aspects are fictionalized). I highly recommend this one to all historical fiction lovers.
Thanks again to the author for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 14, 2025
3.5/5
Well researched historical fiction about the rise of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the first Black opera singer who became famous before the civil war.
This book was so tea. It did a great job of shining a light on a lot of things i never knew about Miss Greenfield. I had no clue she was as prominent as she was tbh. I liked how it also showed all the hardships and things she had to go through/give up to reach her goal of becoming a prima donna.
The only things I didn’t really care for was the pacing and Elizabeth’s stance on slavery. I felt like a good portion of this book could’ve been shortened tbh. And I did understand why Elizabeth felt the way she did about slavery bc she was free and she just wanted to live her life as she wanted and become a prima donna. Which I must say is quite iconic 👏🏽👏🏽 Buttttt it really felt like she viewed herself completely separate from enslaved people’s. And it was kinda annoying how she constantly opposed Charles’ efforts towards the abolitionist movement when it seemed like Elizabeth just cared about her own freedoms and being the Black Swan. Idk I get both sides but just wish they could’ve worked together better to accomplish both of their goals not just Elizabeth’s 🤷🏽♀️
Well researched historical fiction about the rise of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the first Black opera singer who became famous before the civil war.
This book was so tea. It did a great job of shining a light on a lot of things i never knew about Miss Greenfield. I had no clue she was as prominent as she was tbh. I liked how it also showed all the hardships and things she had to go through/give up to reach her goal of becoming a prima donna.
The only things I didn’t really care for was the pacing and Elizabeth’s stance on slavery. I felt like a good portion of this book could’ve been shortened tbh. And I did understand why Elizabeth felt the way she did about slavery bc she was free and she just wanted to live her life as she wanted and become a prima donna. Which I must say is quite iconic 👏🏽👏🏽 Buttttt it really felt like she viewed herself completely separate from enslaved people’s. And it was kinda annoying how she constantly opposed Charles’ efforts towards the abolitionist movement when it seemed like Elizabeth just cared about her own freedoms and being the Black Swan. Idk I get both sides but just wish they could’ve worked together better to accomplish both of their goals not just Elizabeth’s 🤷🏽♀️
February 10, 2025
3.5 I had a lot of fun reading this! I used to shy away from historical fiction but then I read stories like these that just draw me in. My favorite thing about this is the character development of Eliza. Her growing into her confidence was a beautiful thing to read, and I am glad that she navigated her life on her own terms. Once she finally made the decision to step out and take a leap of faith, it truly took off from there. Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of Elizabeth, so I am glad to have had a glimpse into her life. It did seem a little repetitive and slow to me at times, but overall I enjoyed.
March 22, 2025
The Unexpected Diva is extraordinarily-written and well-researched, shining a light on Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, or, “The Black Swan,” whom I only learned about earlier this year when reading Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray. Greenfield was the best-known Black concert singer of her time, able to perform in places and in front of important people through sheer will and determination.
I feel like the strongest part of this story was the research. However, the way this is written feels like a massive info dump to the point that the book is incredibly informative but it’s not engaging or entertaining. It felt like I was reading every little detail about things that didn’t quite matter instead of things that enhanced the plot or roped me in as a reader. I’ve mentioned a frustration I often run into in historical fiction novels before: the main character does things or says things that are challenging or quite dangerous for them during the time period they were alive in, and Elizabeth is no exception. Except I grew wary of reading about a character who thought she was the exception to racism many times throughout her life due to her upbringing and gifts.
Charles somewhat reads as ~friend who is too woke~ but I think he comes across as so extreme because Elizabeth is so incredibly…not. She doesn’t become radicalized until she experiences racism in a very harrowing way—and I suppose that for many that is a true lived experience—but I also found this intolerable since she very much was a woman who presented as Black in society so that naivety feels like something that would exist in someone who passed/passes. However, this seems to be very true to who she was as a person according to the historical note at the end, so this isn’t a critique of Elizabeth the written character per se.
The overarching plot of bringing Elizabeth’s mother back to America stretches throughout the entire story and I felt like the actual time spent on page was rushed. I’m not sure of the historical accuracy of Elizabeth’s inheritance being withheld for so long, but for the sake of a fiction novel it went on waaaaay too long lol.
I’m looking forward to reading more historical fiction by Tiffany L. Warren!
3 ⭐️s
I feel like the strongest part of this story was the research. However, the way this is written feels like a massive info dump to the point that the book is incredibly informative but it’s not engaging or entertaining. It felt like I was reading every little detail about things that didn’t quite matter instead of things that enhanced the plot or roped me in as a reader. I’ve mentioned a frustration I often run into in historical fiction novels before: the main character does things or says things that are challenging or quite dangerous for them during the time period they were alive in, and Elizabeth is no exception. Except I grew wary of reading about a character who thought she was the exception to racism many times throughout her life due to her upbringing and gifts.
Charles somewhat reads as ~friend who is too woke~ but I think he comes across as so extreme because Elizabeth is so incredibly…not. She doesn’t become radicalized until she experiences racism in a very harrowing way—and I suppose that for many that is a true lived experience—but I also found this intolerable since she very much was a woman who presented as Black in society so that naivety feels like something that would exist in someone who passed/passes. However, this seems to be very true to who she was as a person according to the historical note at the end, so this isn’t a critique of Elizabeth the written character per se.
The overarching plot of bringing Elizabeth’s mother back to America stretches throughout the entire story and I felt like the actual time spent on page was rushed. I’m not sure of the historical accuracy of Elizabeth’s inheritance being withheld for so long, but for the sake of a fiction novel it went on waaaaay too long lol.
I’m looking forward to reading more historical fiction by Tiffany L. Warren!
3 ⭐️s
February 27, 2025
A fascinating historical fiction biography of a little known African American opera singer who toured North America and Europe on the eve of the Civil War. I didn't know anything about Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield aka the "Black swan" and really enjoyed this eye-opening look into what her life was like as a freed slave and single Black woman trying to make a living as a performer. With striking parallels to the current state of the music industry for Black female performers and lots of cameos from famous African American figures. This was great on audio narrated by Robin Miles and highly recommended for fans of authors like Kaia Alderson. It made for a great choice during Black History Month. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
March 3, 2025
“𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐬𝐨𝐚𝐫?”
“… 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞.”
I enjoyed learning more about Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield the first Black prima Donna, and her quest for respectability and success in the 1800s Quaker society in the US and abroad.
She was raised by a white woman after her parents returned to Africa; which afforded her many luxuries and singing lessons. Once her 'mother" dies, she has to fight for her inheritance.... there were many obstacles on the way, but Elizabeth’s undeniable talent opened doors that were otherwise impossible.
“… 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞.”
I enjoyed learning more about Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield the first Black prima Donna, and her quest for respectability and success in the 1800s Quaker society in the US and abroad.
She was raised by a white woman after her parents returned to Africa; which afforded her many luxuries and singing lessons. Once her 'mother" dies, she has to fight for her inheritance.... there were many obstacles on the way, but Elizabeth’s undeniable talent opened doors that were otherwise impossible.
September 1, 2025
The Unexpected Diva was quite the experience, the audiobook was superb! I had never heard of the Black Swan, or knew anything about her background or the impact she made during a time when it was unheard of for black singers to perform in front of all white crowds. The authors note was eye opening because everything flowed so well, I had no idea there was so little information in Eliza. I enjoyed the story, it started strong and then kind of stalled in the middle, subsequently picking up at the end.
August 8, 2025
A very interesting story about the Black Swan - Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. She was often compared to the Jenny Lind - the Swedish Nightingale. She traveled throughout the States, always in fear of being captured because of the Fugitive Slave Act. She traveled to Europe and even performed for Queen Victoria. She had been freed and adopted by her Master, and provided a privileged life given voice and music lessons opening doors she never imagined. Her parents had been sent back to Liberia but she wasn't too little and too sick so she remained in America and received many privileges unheard of for a black woman at the time. While the author embellished on her private life, including relationships with men, it was very interesting to learn of her life and her travels and her great talent.
January 11, 2025
I quite liked all the descriptions of Eliza's singing and the overall setting and story was well done. The interactions between the different characters were done really well, it expressed their behaviour in that time period quite well. Overall, it was a good read but I found the ending too abrupt and the plot, somewhat repetitive.
Thanks to Goodreads for providing me with an arc (giveaways)
Thanks to Goodreads for providing me with an arc (giveaways)
March 1, 2025
Tiffany L. Warren did an amazing job on this historical fiction book about Prima Donna Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. She was a trailblazer in her own right. I love how she stood her ground and pushed towards her goals. It was awesome reading about her journey.
December 30, 2024
I was totally captivated by this compelling historical fiction story of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, a real life black opera singer in the 1800s who was born into slavery in the U.S. and rose to the top of her art with her magnificent voice, support of a wealthy adoptive mother, and her own unflagging determination. I had not heard of this brave and talented woman before, and highly recommend this beautifully written account of her life to fans of historical fiction focusing on exceptional women. Brava!
March 31, 2025
Fictional tale based on small snippets of information from a real woman's life. I was paused by the often modern sounding verbage that was used that didn't fit in my mind with the 1850s. Also, I'm frustrated when authors think they need to put a "too descriptive" sex scene in to sell a book.
September 24, 2025
Well I'm glad that's done. oof. I did *not* like the main character (aptly she's called a diva), plus the author used the race card ways too much throughout this book. It is set in the 1850s, it was much too woke to be realistic historical fiction.
January 29, 2025
While most are familiar with Marian Anderson, and consider her to be the first black opera singer, there would be no Marian Anderson without Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield.
The Unexpected Diva takes us on a journey through the life of Greenfield. Elizabeth was born into slavery, but her family was freed by their mistress after her divorce. Elizabeth’s family ventured to Liberia, but she was left behind due to illness. Her mistress promised to educate her, and they developed a loving mother/daughter relationship.
Throughout the story, Elizabeth struggles to navigate her desires to become a prima donna, and societal pressures for her to get married and have children. She also deals with issues of colorism, racism, and a constant comparision to white opera singer, Jenny Lind.
Honestly, the constant comparison felt repetitive to me at times. Why would Elizabeth be so concerned with Lind? Elizabeth was the more talented singer. Greenfield sometimes succombed to the comparison and dressed like Lind, styled her hair like hers, and even performed the same songs in concert.
What I enjoyed most about this book is the character development. We see Greenfield’s timid nature grow into her becoming more comfortable speaking out against slavery and advocating for freedom. I recommend this beautifully composed story to history lovers, trained musicians and music enthusiasts in general.
The Unexpected Diva takes us on a journey through the life of Greenfield. Elizabeth was born into slavery, but her family was freed by their mistress after her divorce. Elizabeth’s family ventured to Liberia, but she was left behind due to illness. Her mistress promised to educate her, and they developed a loving mother/daughter relationship.
Throughout the story, Elizabeth struggles to navigate her desires to become a prima donna, and societal pressures for her to get married and have children. She also deals with issues of colorism, racism, and a constant comparision to white opera singer, Jenny Lind.
Honestly, the constant comparison felt repetitive to me at times. Why would Elizabeth be so concerned with Lind? Elizabeth was the more talented singer. Greenfield sometimes succombed to the comparison and dressed like Lind, styled her hair like hers, and even performed the same songs in concert.
What I enjoyed most about this book is the character development. We see Greenfield’s timid nature grow into her becoming more comfortable speaking out against slavery and advocating for freedom. I recommend this beautifully composed story to history lovers, trained musicians and music enthusiasts in general.
February 12, 2025
The Unexpected Diva
As the story opens, we embark on a journey with Eliza who at birth was enslaved nut as her slave owner passes on, she’s freed. Miss Lisbeth was an abolitionist and took her in and brought her up. Eliza has a Rich and powerful voice that spans the octaves. Living under many constraints because she was Black, and at this time in the 1800s women were controlled by men, she lived in a time when women were expected to marry and have children but not her. Her goal was to become a famous opera singer, and we meet Miss Lisbeth before she passed, Sarah her hard-core nurse and to white people that come out of nowhere contesting the inheritance was to receive and forcing her out of the home that was to be hers and into a life she did not want. Imagine singing at the funeral and meeting Harriet Beecher Stowe who was taken with her voice and offered support. As we meet her best friend and like a sister Mary plus Lucien who was taken with her Lisbeth is torn in many directions and her life takes a turn when the estate lawyer tells her inheritance has been contested and she might need to get a job as a governess. Pages 29-30 outlines her inheritance but what follows changes it all. But facing off with Lucien’s mother and the harsh comments that follow you wonder just. how she can diplomatically explain her feelings of just being g friend when she’s concerned about her receiving her inheritance but if he chooses her, she’ll be welcomed. But events move in odd directions as her inheritance is contested and she’s almost forced to accept the marriage proposal, and the lawyer is if no help as he tells her to get a job but all she wants is to be an opera singer and she’s invited to sing at the anti-slavery fair and more. But Lucien and her best friend turn in her when she wants to sing and try and find her real moto invite fir her wedding. But she’s determined and won’t give up and the story is based on a real person named Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield and we learn the real one became known as the Black Swan.
Educated and financially supported she is free but because of the Fugitive Slave Law it might all disappear. Privilege, power, deceptions, hate and racism and more defines this time related to Black women and especially in places where there are free black women holding them to their rules and standards.
Then Eliza must take a deep breath and focus on how to break it with Lucien. Places in a hard spot she had said yes but wanting more for her life as a singer did not bring her positive feelings and support.
On a steamship and going to Buffalo she meets a young girl and protocols about interacting are explained. Then meeting Electra Potter and invited to sing on board the steamship she asks her to sing at her home plus meeting Charles Monroe taken with her and they pair as a team: he will accompany her on the piano forte and she will sing but not before creating her program either the help of Miss Bella her teacher. But her teacher tells her she’s not ready, stronger words are hurled until Eliza gets it together, deep breath and things move ahead but will she be ready to sing for the elite?
The first performance is outstanding but when she’s called the Black Swan it begins a conversation about black and more. Then she’s asked to sing again but wants her friends to be allowed into the concert hall and with Charlie who accompanied her on the piano and more a huge controversy begins, and statements are hurled and then her dress for the show is in question and Electra gets her one. The Buffalo Musical Association is where her next concert will be and being compared to Jenny Lind creates controversy and even the event takes red tape so to speak and more.
But the words spoken by Charles in private and then Miss Bella ring out in her mind until she hears the audience clammer for the Black Swan and the final notes ring out and Eliza knows her true calling.
This is a hard journey but when the lights go dim and Eliza hears the applause and the words of Miss Bella, she knows her direction but talks about salary, payments and more take the spotlight so she dies not get less than she deserves and more. Rent cities and then advance monies for gowns sheet music and more. Hiram will let colonel wood know if she’ll sign.
Things progress but she does not seem happy and then the orchestra conductor would not agree to conduct a Negress. Then she moves into a grand hotel and jenny Lind is staying there. Then Charles shows up and he takes control plus she manages to see him alone. Relationships change and Wood seems upset, and cinders happen but at times Eliza seems tired and she begs the stagehand to get her out. Then a letter from her mother and on page 311 she tells her what she has done. Then relationships change between her and Charles and someone special Timothy gets a surprise for his others church. What happens that takes her away and realizes the show was not up to par.
More concerts and meeting Harriet Bettcher Stow and Lady Shufesbury taking about a concert then she relates what her concert manager did and but there’s a problem with his credentials.
Lady Sutherland seems to take control.
Imagine an invitation to sing for queen Victoria. Plus, her patrons are looking elsewhere and at the end of summer her Ruby had to return to America and another maid came. But will she get a patron and why dies she need one? Them entering the palace and hearing a young voice sing what will be the outcome or fame if the Black Swan? The author reminds us of class and racial and where blacks were barred from and how she opened doors for them in many ways. Her reaction unique and Eliza’s comments on point. An ending that leaves her and Charles in a different place and a surprise from the queen but is this story over? Sharing the life of the first black Prima Dona creating her world using the available facts. Read the historical note to learn more. Told in the first-person Eliza shares her dreams, thoughts, hopes and fears until her fame becomes a reality.
Fran Lewis just reviews
As the story opens, we embark on a journey with Eliza who at birth was enslaved nut as her slave owner passes on, she’s freed. Miss Lisbeth was an abolitionist and took her in and brought her up. Eliza has a Rich and powerful voice that spans the octaves. Living under many constraints because she was Black, and at this time in the 1800s women were controlled by men, she lived in a time when women were expected to marry and have children but not her. Her goal was to become a famous opera singer, and we meet Miss Lisbeth before she passed, Sarah her hard-core nurse and to white people that come out of nowhere contesting the inheritance was to receive and forcing her out of the home that was to be hers and into a life she did not want. Imagine singing at the funeral and meeting Harriet Beecher Stowe who was taken with her voice and offered support. As we meet her best friend and like a sister Mary plus Lucien who was taken with her Lisbeth is torn in many directions and her life takes a turn when the estate lawyer tells her inheritance has been contested and she might need to get a job as a governess. Pages 29-30 outlines her inheritance but what follows changes it all. But facing off with Lucien’s mother and the harsh comments that follow you wonder just. how she can diplomatically explain her feelings of just being g friend when she’s concerned about her receiving her inheritance but if he chooses her, she’ll be welcomed. But events move in odd directions as her inheritance is contested and she’s almost forced to accept the marriage proposal, and the lawyer is if no help as he tells her to get a job but all she wants is to be an opera singer and she’s invited to sing at the anti-slavery fair and more. But Lucien and her best friend turn in her when she wants to sing and try and find her real moto invite fir her wedding. But she’s determined and won’t give up and the story is based on a real person named Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield and we learn the real one became known as the Black Swan.
Educated and financially supported she is free but because of the Fugitive Slave Law it might all disappear. Privilege, power, deceptions, hate and racism and more defines this time related to Black women and especially in places where there are free black women holding them to their rules and standards.
Then Eliza must take a deep breath and focus on how to break it with Lucien. Places in a hard spot she had said yes but wanting more for her life as a singer did not bring her positive feelings and support.
On a steamship and going to Buffalo she meets a young girl and protocols about interacting are explained. Then meeting Electra Potter and invited to sing on board the steamship she asks her to sing at her home plus meeting Charles Monroe taken with her and they pair as a team: he will accompany her on the piano forte and she will sing but not before creating her program either the help of Miss Bella her teacher. But her teacher tells her she’s not ready, stronger words are hurled until Eliza gets it together, deep breath and things move ahead but will she be ready to sing for the elite?
The first performance is outstanding but when she’s called the Black Swan it begins a conversation about black and more. Then she’s asked to sing again but wants her friends to be allowed into the concert hall and with Charlie who accompanied her on the piano and more a huge controversy begins, and statements are hurled and then her dress for the show is in question and Electra gets her one. The Buffalo Musical Association is where her next concert will be and being compared to Jenny Lind creates controversy and even the event takes red tape so to speak and more.
But the words spoken by Charles in private and then Miss Bella ring out in her mind until she hears the audience clammer for the Black Swan and the final notes ring out and Eliza knows her true calling.
This is a hard journey but when the lights go dim and Eliza hears the applause and the words of Miss Bella, she knows her direction but talks about salary, payments and more take the spotlight so she dies not get less than she deserves and more. Rent cities and then advance monies for gowns sheet music and more. Hiram will let colonel wood know if she’ll sign.
Things progress but she does not seem happy and then the orchestra conductor would not agree to conduct a Negress. Then she moves into a grand hotel and jenny Lind is staying there. Then Charles shows up and he takes control plus she manages to see him alone. Relationships change and Wood seems upset, and cinders happen but at times Eliza seems tired and she begs the stagehand to get her out. Then a letter from her mother and on page 311 she tells her what she has done. Then relationships change between her and Charles and someone special Timothy gets a surprise for his others church. What happens that takes her away and realizes the show was not up to par.
More concerts and meeting Harriet Bettcher Stow and Lady Shufesbury taking about a concert then she relates what her concert manager did and but there’s a problem with his credentials.
Lady Sutherland seems to take control.
Imagine an invitation to sing for queen Victoria. Plus, her patrons are looking elsewhere and at the end of summer her Ruby had to return to America and another maid came. But will she get a patron and why dies she need one? Them entering the palace and hearing a young voice sing what will be the outcome or fame if the Black Swan? The author reminds us of class and racial and where blacks were barred from and how she opened doors for them in many ways. Her reaction unique and Eliza’s comments on point. An ending that leaves her and Charles in a different place and a surprise from the queen but is this story over? Sharing the life of the first black Prima Dona creating her world using the available facts. Read the historical note to learn more. Told in the first-person Eliza shares her dreams, thoughts, hopes and fears until her fame becomes a reality.
Fran Lewis just reviews
May 4, 2025
Everyone should know the name Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield! If only her voice could have been recorded for posterity (the possibility just barely overlapped her lifetime). What a range she had! I had no idea a woman could sing baritone. This novel dramatizes the challenges she faced as a Black singer in a racist society. Oh horror, Blacks and Whites in the same audience! 🙄 We can also blame racism for the fact that this opera singer par excellence never got to sing in an actual opera (only concerts). I loved the Historical Note and Author's Note, but I was saddened to learn that I also learned that this is the author's first foray into historical fiction but won't be her last. Bravo!
March 2, 2025
I really enjoyed The Unexpected Diva and getting to learn about Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. We get to see Eliza follow her dreams while not succumbing to societal norms for women even when things got tough.
I would definitely recommend reading this if you enjoy Historical Fiction. Tiffany L. Warren did a great job bringing to life the story of the forgotten diva.
Thank you HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy.
I would definitely recommend reading this if you enjoy Historical Fiction. Tiffany L. Warren did a great job bringing to life the story of the forgotten diva.
Thank you HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy.
January 6, 2025
I read the ARC for the debut historical fiction novel by Tiffany L. Warren about the first Black opera singer titled, The Unexpected Diva. I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I think you will, too.
Did you know, before there were Black opera singers such as Marian Anderson, Leontyne Price, Denyce Graves, and Marquita Lister, there was a Black woman named, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield? In the mid-1800s, she was considered to be the best singer in the world. Dubbed, the "Black Swan" in America, she toured in multiple cities in the United States and Europe performing for majority White audiences. She was a musical genius adept at singing the full range from baritone to soprano and could play at least two musical instruments. She was the first Black person to sing for Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace.
This is not a slave book (nothing wrong with that) but it does amplify the many unique talents of Black people who when given the opportunity can operate in excellence.
Be sure to add this one to your 2025 TBR list.
Did you know, before there were Black opera singers such as Marian Anderson, Leontyne Price, Denyce Graves, and Marquita Lister, there was a Black woman named, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield? In the mid-1800s, she was considered to be the best singer in the world. Dubbed, the "Black Swan" in America, she toured in multiple cities in the United States and Europe performing for majority White audiences. She was a musical genius adept at singing the full range from baritone to soprano and could play at least two musical instruments. She was the first Black person to sing for Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace.
This is not a slave book (nothing wrong with that) but it does amplify the many unique talents of Black people who when given the opportunity can operate in excellence.
Be sure to add this one to your 2025 TBR list.
July 25, 2025
Historical fiction about the Black prima donna of the 1850s, who toured in the U.S. and Great Britain. I really appreciated how the author brought in facts and attitudes about this very fraught time in American history.
November 19, 2024
Thank you @netgalley for the gifted Arc.
How have I never heard of Miss Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the first Black prima Donna? Raised by a wealthy white benefactor, Eliza dreams of advancing her skill and career by studying in Paris. Of course,the death of Miss Lizabeth and a delay in receiving the inheritance left to her, Eliza charts her own course to pursue her career.
What I enjoyed most was Eliza growing in her confidence to pursue what she wanted, on her own terms. Yes this is a fictional account of her life (in her twenties), her decision was not one most women, but especially a free Black woman, might have chosen. To remain unmarried was not looked upon favorably, I imagine, a free woman of color who society saw first as a woman who was Black. Her audacity! I love this about her.
I love how much tea was had in this book!
Some of the people in the book were based on real people who Eliza came in contact with. Electra Potter on the steamboat to Buffalo may have been a catalyst to introduce Eliza to audiences that would be stunned by her talent. Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Eliza’s tour in Europe!
I would love to hear Eliza’s voice! I can only imagine.
There were a few times I would have hoped the author could have used other words to describe the depth and complexity of Eliza’s voice. The word trills and runs was overused imo. But it does describe the vocal range of Greenfield.
I definitely recommend reading this book.
How have I never heard of Miss Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the first Black prima Donna? Raised by a wealthy white benefactor, Eliza dreams of advancing her skill and career by studying in Paris. Of course,the death of Miss Lizabeth and a delay in receiving the inheritance left to her, Eliza charts her own course to pursue her career.
What I enjoyed most was Eliza growing in her confidence to pursue what she wanted, on her own terms. Yes this is a fictional account of her life (in her twenties), her decision was not one most women, but especially a free Black woman, might have chosen. To remain unmarried was not looked upon favorably, I imagine, a free woman of color who society saw first as a woman who was Black. Her audacity! I love this about her.
I love how much tea was had in this book!
Some of the people in the book were based on real people who Eliza came in contact with. Electra Potter on the steamboat to Buffalo may have been a catalyst to introduce Eliza to audiences that would be stunned by her talent. Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Eliza’s tour in Europe!
I would love to hear Eliza’s voice! I can only imagine.
There were a few times I would have hoped the author could have used other words to describe the depth and complexity of Eliza’s voice. The word trills and runs was overused imo. But it does describe the vocal range of Greenfield.
I definitely recommend reading this book.
January 14, 2025
Enjoyable read! It made me curious about Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. The fictional account is intriguing and makes me want to know more. I really wanted to hear her sing! TW did a phenomenal job!
November 24, 2024
I am an approved reader on NetGalley and was asked to post my review on this book!
The Unexpected Diva. This historical fiction left me constantly asking the question: What If? Oh! If the times of our nation were different back in 1850! Oh, how the world would have benefited from the outstanding voice of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. The author really developed a historical fiction novel that was put together with only a few bits of factual pieces left for her to write from. I was drawn into this story from the first page. The descriptions of the scenes really will take your imaginative mind back in time. Sure, the author had to fill in the blanks on whole lot of this story. But it made this book a page turner!
I never knew anything about “Eliza” but by the end of this book, I felt I knew her. I truly believe this will be a top pick to win a literary award in the Historical Fiction category for 2025.
The Unexpected Diva. This historical fiction left me constantly asking the question: What If? Oh! If the times of our nation were different back in 1850! Oh, how the world would have benefited from the outstanding voice of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. The author really developed a historical fiction novel that was put together with only a few bits of factual pieces left for her to write from. I was drawn into this story from the first page. The descriptions of the scenes really will take your imaginative mind back in time. Sure, the author had to fill in the blanks on whole lot of this story. But it made this book a page turner!
I never knew anything about “Eliza” but by the end of this book, I felt I knew her. I truly believe this will be a top pick to win a literary award in the Historical Fiction category for 2025.
January 24, 2025
My favorite Historical Fiction/Biographical Fiction books are those about hidden figures. The Unexpected Diva tells the story of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield the first Black Prima donna. Her range was three octaves from baritone to soprano. Known as "The Black Swan" she was compared to Jenny Lind the Prima donna at the time.
It was a wonderful read!
It was a wonderful read!
December 18, 2024
BRAVO!!! THE UNEXPECTED DIVA DRAWS A RAVE REVIEW: by William Fredrick Cooper
When privileged with the honor of reading and reviewing a Historically Fictional journey into the life of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the excited feeling capturing me was akin to going to the soft opening of a new opera before it goes public. I pictured myself seated in an elegantly appointed, elevated box in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, Second Tier. With clear sightlines and afforded outstanding acoustics, in my plush red velvet seat I waited with anticipation, people watching until the performance.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a single spotlight appeared center stage. Would there be some rising professional singer with collaborative pianists blessing me with wide-ranging ambition? Or alternatively, would the Met Orchestra lead an enticing program evoking a wide range of emotions?
It would be neither. To the surprise of an audience in musical expectation, from behind those famous red curtains came an Author, Tiffany Warren, reading from her forthcoming novel. THE UNEXPECTED DIVA.
Reading with the same passion of which she penned her outstanding story, in attention-gripping form she first takes us to a mid-19th Century Philadelphia bedside, where trailblazing opera singer Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield makes a bedside promise to her dying adoptive mother. Remembering her Mississippi, slave plantation roots and a biological mother far away, with steeled determination this full-figured gift to readers and our ancestors sets out on a journey of maximizing her otherworldly operatic skills and bringing her mother close.
With Ms. Warren delivering a story so rich in emotional detail you feel like you’ve been transported by time machine to the 1850’s, you can’t help but root for Eliza (As she’s known throughout the book) as she stands strong against the many challenges of her time. Without giving away details of this amazingly captivating tale, all I’ll say is that the obvious racism of the time is but one adversity. (There’s a powerful mid-novel scene in Rochester, New York where even Miss Greenfield realizes the magnitude of her journey and how it’s impacted the lives of others.) Readers will marvel at the breathtaking brilliance of which the author blends the internal and external struggles of our heroine, and how her risk-taking is a study of faith and knowing one’s worth.
From Philadelphia, through Buffalo and other Northern Cities while keeping memories of Mississippi and expectations from the Motherland in mind, Miss Greenfield ultimately lives out Proverbs 18:16, where the gift she’s in possession of brings her before… Well, get the book on January 7th.
When Tiffany Warren finished reading THE UNEXPECTED DIVA to the audience as Carnegie, she heard an unfamiliar silence. For a millisecond she stood alone under the spotlight, but any uncertainty she felt was immediately cast out of her when she heard me scream “BRAVO!” from that second tier.
Soon, standing ovations and shouts of ENCORE cascaded from the corridors of all three performance venues of Carnegie Hall. From the heavens, both Marian Anderson and Elizebeth Taylor Greenfield smiled while embracing. Somewhere, Leontyne Price and Kathleen Battle are beaming as well, and giving Miss Greenfield thanks.
On January 7th, 2025, many readers will be screaming BRAVO to Tiffany Warren, thanking her profusely for writing THE UNEXPECTED DIVA. Even in Historical Fiction it shares a previously unknown truth about a triumphant forerunner with excellence; a moment of empowerment that others are now trying to strip away.
BRAVO to THE UNEXPECTED DIVA! BRAVO TO TIFFANY WARREN!!!!
When privileged with the honor of reading and reviewing a Historically Fictional journey into the life of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the excited feeling capturing me was akin to going to the soft opening of a new opera before it goes public. I pictured myself seated in an elegantly appointed, elevated box in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, Second Tier. With clear sightlines and afforded outstanding acoustics, in my plush red velvet seat I waited with anticipation, people watching until the performance.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a single spotlight appeared center stage. Would there be some rising professional singer with collaborative pianists blessing me with wide-ranging ambition? Or alternatively, would the Met Orchestra lead an enticing program evoking a wide range of emotions?
It would be neither. To the surprise of an audience in musical expectation, from behind those famous red curtains came an Author, Tiffany Warren, reading from her forthcoming novel. THE UNEXPECTED DIVA.
Reading with the same passion of which she penned her outstanding story, in attention-gripping form she first takes us to a mid-19th Century Philadelphia bedside, where trailblazing opera singer Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield makes a bedside promise to her dying adoptive mother. Remembering her Mississippi, slave plantation roots and a biological mother far away, with steeled determination this full-figured gift to readers and our ancestors sets out on a journey of maximizing her otherworldly operatic skills and bringing her mother close.
With Ms. Warren delivering a story so rich in emotional detail you feel like you’ve been transported by time machine to the 1850’s, you can’t help but root for Eliza (As she’s known throughout the book) as she stands strong against the many challenges of her time. Without giving away details of this amazingly captivating tale, all I’ll say is that the obvious racism of the time is but one adversity. (There’s a powerful mid-novel scene in Rochester, New York where even Miss Greenfield realizes the magnitude of her journey and how it’s impacted the lives of others.) Readers will marvel at the breathtaking brilliance of which the author blends the internal and external struggles of our heroine, and how her risk-taking is a study of faith and knowing one’s worth.
From Philadelphia, through Buffalo and other Northern Cities while keeping memories of Mississippi and expectations from the Motherland in mind, Miss Greenfield ultimately lives out Proverbs 18:16, where the gift she’s in possession of brings her before… Well, get the book on January 7th.
When Tiffany Warren finished reading THE UNEXPECTED DIVA to the audience as Carnegie, she heard an unfamiliar silence. For a millisecond she stood alone under the spotlight, but any uncertainty she felt was immediately cast out of her when she heard me scream “BRAVO!” from that second tier.
Soon, standing ovations and shouts of ENCORE cascaded from the corridors of all three performance venues of Carnegie Hall. From the heavens, both Marian Anderson and Elizebeth Taylor Greenfield smiled while embracing. Somewhere, Leontyne Price and Kathleen Battle are beaming as well, and giving Miss Greenfield thanks.
On January 7th, 2025, many readers will be screaming BRAVO to Tiffany Warren, thanking her profusely for writing THE UNEXPECTED DIVA. Even in Historical Fiction it shares a previously unknown truth about a triumphant forerunner with excellence; a moment of empowerment that others are now trying to strip away.
BRAVO to THE UNEXPECTED DIVA! BRAVO TO TIFFANY WARREN!!!!
April 15, 2025
Tiffany L. Warren’s The Unexpected Diva is a moving and masterfully written historical fiction novel that brings to light the extraordinary, yet often overlooked, life of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. A Black woman who shattered boundaries, Greenfield rose to become a celebrated prima donna in both the United States and Europe.
Warren seamlessly blends historical fact with rich, imaginative storytelling to reconstruct what Eliza’s life might have been like as she navigated the tumultuous decades before the Civil War. Drawing from research on free Black communities in Philadelphia, Warren places Eliza in a vividly rendered world filled with ambition, conflict, and heart. The result is an engaging, emotionally resonant narrative of a young woman caught between her dreams and the deeply entrenched limitations of her time.
Eliza’s journey is shaped not only by her prodigious talent but also by the complex social forces around her. The novel explores the overt racism she faces from white audiences and institutions, as well as the insidious colorism within her own community. These layers add depth and nuance to her struggle, making her pursuit of artistic excellence all the more inspiring.
Warren also explores the intimate and internal conflicts Eliza faces as a woman. She is torn between the desire for love and romance and the relentless ambition to build a prestigious singing career. The push and pull between societal expectations of womanhood and the yearning for personal fulfillment is explored with honesty and grace. Her professional rivalry with the legendary Jenny Lind, her white European contemporary, serves as a powerful foil that highlights how race, class, and public perception intersect in the arts. In addition to this, she has to balance her own ambitions for herself with the goals for advancing the cause for racisl equality and the fight against slavery.
By breathing life into Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, Warren offers readers a much needed reclamation of a trailblazing figure in music history. The Unexpected Diva is both a celebration of Black excellence and a poignant reflection on the personal cost of making history. It is a must read for fans of historical fiction, music history, and stories of women who dared to dream beyond their circumstances.
Warren seamlessly blends historical fact with rich, imaginative storytelling to reconstruct what Eliza’s life might have been like as she navigated the tumultuous decades before the Civil War. Drawing from research on free Black communities in Philadelphia, Warren places Eliza in a vividly rendered world filled with ambition, conflict, and heart. The result is an engaging, emotionally resonant narrative of a young woman caught between her dreams and the deeply entrenched limitations of her time.
Eliza’s journey is shaped not only by her prodigious talent but also by the complex social forces around her. The novel explores the overt racism she faces from white audiences and institutions, as well as the insidious colorism within her own community. These layers add depth and nuance to her struggle, making her pursuit of artistic excellence all the more inspiring.
Warren also explores the intimate and internal conflicts Eliza faces as a woman. She is torn between the desire for love and romance and the relentless ambition to build a prestigious singing career. The push and pull between societal expectations of womanhood and the yearning for personal fulfillment is explored with honesty and grace. Her professional rivalry with the legendary Jenny Lind, her white European contemporary, serves as a powerful foil that highlights how race, class, and public perception intersect in the arts. In addition to this, she has to balance her own ambitions for herself with the goals for advancing the cause for racisl equality and the fight against slavery.
By breathing life into Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, Warren offers readers a much needed reclamation of a trailblazing figure in music history. The Unexpected Diva is both a celebration of Black excellence and a poignant reflection on the personal cost of making history. It is a must read for fans of historical fiction, music history, and stories of women who dared to dream beyond their circumstances.
November 18, 2024
The Unexpected Diva by Tiffany L. Warren brings to life the remarkable story of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, a Black opera singer whose talent and resilience propelled her to fame in the years before the Civil War. Born into slavery but raised in the safety of Philadelphia’s Quaker community, Eliza’s life takes an unexpected turn when her adoptive mother dies, leaving her future uncertain. Driven by her extraordinary three-octave voice, she defies societal norms and risks her safety to pursue her dream of becoming a professional singer, earning acclaim as "the Black Swan" on both sides of the Atlantic.
Narrated from Eliza’s perspective, the story feels deeply personal, allowing readers to connect with her feelings and opinions about those around her. It’s refreshing to see Eliza portrayed as a forthright woman of color in the 1800s, though her boldness sometimes feels at odds with the societal constraints of her time. This tension is thoughtfully explored, particularly through her dynamic with Charles, a man she admires but whose well-intentioned lectures on standing up for her beliefs often frustrate her. Eliza’s cautious deliberation throughout the story underscores the reality that, as a Black woman in the 1850s, speaking her mind could have dire consequences.
While Eliza’s journey is inspiring, some aspects of the story felt underdeveloped. Her intense focus on bringing her mother to the U.S. as a driving motivation seemed inconsistent, especially given her uncertainty about her mother’s fate or interest in returning. Additionally, the ending felt a bit anticlimactic, leaving some narrative threads unresolved.
Despite these minor critiques, Warren’s meticulous research shines through, vividly capturing the antebellum era and the pervasive fears faced by African Americans. The book powerfully conveys the terror of being seen as lesser, not just by society but by a government that upheld laws to enforce such inequality.
Eliza’s story is a testament to grit, determination, and resourcefulness. Her ability to rise above immense challenges as a minority in the antebellum era is both inspiring and humbling.
Thank you to William Morrow for the early copy of this compelling and thought-provoking novel.
Narrated from Eliza’s perspective, the story feels deeply personal, allowing readers to connect with her feelings and opinions about those around her. It’s refreshing to see Eliza portrayed as a forthright woman of color in the 1800s, though her boldness sometimes feels at odds with the societal constraints of her time. This tension is thoughtfully explored, particularly through her dynamic with Charles, a man she admires but whose well-intentioned lectures on standing up for her beliefs often frustrate her. Eliza’s cautious deliberation throughout the story underscores the reality that, as a Black woman in the 1850s, speaking her mind could have dire consequences.
While Eliza’s journey is inspiring, some aspects of the story felt underdeveloped. Her intense focus on bringing her mother to the U.S. as a driving motivation seemed inconsistent, especially given her uncertainty about her mother’s fate or interest in returning. Additionally, the ending felt a bit anticlimactic, leaving some narrative threads unresolved.
Despite these minor critiques, Warren’s meticulous research shines through, vividly capturing the antebellum era and the pervasive fears faced by African Americans. The book powerfully conveys the terror of being seen as lesser, not just by society but by a government that upheld laws to enforce such inequality.
Eliza’s story is a testament to grit, determination, and resourcefulness. Her ability to rise above immense challenges as a minority in the antebellum era is both inspiring and humbling.
Thank you to William Morrow for the early copy of this compelling and thought-provoking novel.
March 4, 2025
This is the wonderful story of Elizabeth “Eliza” Taylor Greenfield, the American counterpart to The Swedish Nightingale, except she was Black. Born into slavery and manumitted as a child, Eliza was raised by the abolitionist widow of Eliza’s slave owner, in pre-Civil War America. Eliza was given an education as well as tutelage to become a skilled opera singer. However, the color of her skin continued to throw roadblocks to her life goal of becoming a prima donna. Through the first-person narrative, we travel with Eliza as she navigated a singing career, at a time when women were simply to get married and have children. She had to learn who were her allies, White and Black, alike, and who was looking out for their own best interests.
While Eliza was considered “free”, we are constantly reminded that “free” for a Black woman was not truly free. It meant she had to carry around her papers and feared being captured by bounty hunters. Sometimes she had to eat in a separate room because the clientele in the restaurant didn’t feel comfortable eating next to her. Members of the Black community weren’t even allowed to attend her performances. The story of this strong female is incredibly inspiring. She could have easily submitted to her “station” in society, as most of us would probably have done. Instead, she persevered to realize her dream of becoming a great opera singer.
At the end of the book, the author talks about the real Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the facts versus the fiction. What struck me was how little was known and documented about this talented woman. Once again, we are shortchanged by the lack of importance we have put on Black history.
While Eliza was considered “free”, we are constantly reminded that “free” for a Black woman was not truly free. It meant she had to carry around her papers and feared being captured by bounty hunters. Sometimes she had to eat in a separate room because the clientele in the restaurant didn’t feel comfortable eating next to her. Members of the Black community weren’t even allowed to attend her performances. The story of this strong female is incredibly inspiring. She could have easily submitted to her “station” in society, as most of us would probably have done. Instead, she persevered to realize her dream of becoming a great opera singer.
At the end of the book, the author talks about the real Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the facts versus the fiction. What struck me was how little was known and documented about this talented woman. Once again, we are shortchanged by the lack of importance we have put on Black history.
January 27, 2025
I had never heard of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield prior to reading this book. The author shares in her notes that she hadn't known of her either until stumbling upon her name while doing research for a different project. Like me, while reading The Unexpected Diva, Warren was fascinated by this extraordinarily talented Black woman in pre-Civil War America. I am grateful she chose Eliza as the focus of her first historical fiction novel.
Warren took the actual facts known about Eliza's life and filled in the spaces to immerse readers into 1850's America and what the life of a Black woman such as Eliza might have been. It would have taken incredible determination to achieve what she did. Warren breathed life into both real people and fictional characters to weave a compelling story I found hard to put down. In fact, her characters were all so vividly portrayed and seamlessly intertwined that I had to read the author's notes at the end of the book to determine who was actually real and who was fictional. Well, except for Harriet Beecher Stowe and Queen Victoria.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Unexpected Diva and learning about Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. I have an immense amount of respect and admiration for her and her accomplishments. They deserve to be known and celebrated.
I'm eager to discover what Warren has planned next. I hope it's another historical fiction novel. I love being educated while also being entertained. Warren clearly has the knack for it.
4.5 Stars
ARC received from William Morrow via NetGalley. Fair and unbiased review.
Warren took the actual facts known about Eliza's life and filled in the spaces to immerse readers into 1850's America and what the life of a Black woman such as Eliza might have been. It would have taken incredible determination to achieve what she did. Warren breathed life into both real people and fictional characters to weave a compelling story I found hard to put down. In fact, her characters were all so vividly portrayed and seamlessly intertwined that I had to read the author's notes at the end of the book to determine who was actually real and who was fictional. Well, except for Harriet Beecher Stowe and Queen Victoria.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Unexpected Diva and learning about Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. I have an immense amount of respect and admiration for her and her accomplishments. They deserve to be known and celebrated.
I'm eager to discover what Warren has planned next. I hope it's another historical fiction novel. I love being educated while also being entertained. Warren clearly has the knack for it.
4.5 Stars
ARC received from William Morrow via NetGalley. Fair and unbiased review.
April 25, 2025
This is a biographical novel about the real-life so-called 'Black Swan,' black opera singer Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield (1817-1876). We meet the young Eliza first in transit to Philadelphia. She has been summoned back to her home from Buffalo (where she has been receiving voice lessons); her adoptive (white) mother's health has taken a turn. The elder Elizabeth Greenfield is her former owner, who manumitted the slaves from her Mississippi plantation prior to her move North, sending all of them (except young Eliza, who was seriously ill at the time) to Liberia for resettlement. She has recognized the girl's musical gifts and has used her money and influence in the Philadelphia Quaker community to cultivate them, giving Eliza the dream of becoming a world-renowned concert singer, much like the famous 'Swedish Nightingale,' Jenny Lind, who has taken America by storm. -- We follow Eliza in her many trials and struggles in achieving this goal. She is depicted as being admirably single-minded in pursuit of her dream, but we also see the human costs involved in this single-mindedness. -- The novelist does an admirable job at showing the reader the tensions in Eliza's life: not only between her life goal and lesser considerations (such as romance), but also the racial tensions in a country on the brink of civil war and the tensions of being a woman in a world where a woman's options were narrow and few. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to any who might like a glimpse into the world of antebellum America.
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