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In this interview, Heather Walrath, author of The Diva’s Daughter, reflects on her long-standing interest in history, music, and the moral complexities of the interwar years. Set against the cultural worlds of Vienna and Munich in the early 1930s, the novel explores art, identity, and conscience at a moment of rising political extremism. The conversation that follows considers the historical research behind the book, the challenges of writing about the rise of Nazism, and the enduring responsibility of artists during times of social and political upheaval.
Mary Anne: What first drew you to historical fiction, and how did that interest eventually lead you to write The Diva’s Daughter?
My love of reading, writing and history began during elementary school. Whenever a new American Girl book was released, the school librarian would diligently set it aside for me. I quickly discovered that historical fiction can bring the past to life in a way that is both engaging and emotionally compelling. My high school history teacher also played a significant role in encouraging my dream to one day become a historical author.
While there are many historical novels that focus on World War II, there are fewer that specifically focus on the volatile interwar period during which the Nazis rose to power. In writing The Diva’s Daughter, I wanted to shed light upon the dark realities of this era in a way that is accessible to both regular readers of historical fiction and those who might not usually read this genre, or who may feel intimidated by dense works of non-fiction.
Mary Anne: Your novel vividly portrays the dangers artists faced under the rising Nazi regime. What research or historical sources most influenced the way you imagined those threats and pressures?
My novel is inspired in part by the true story of renowned opera singer Lotte Lehmann, who mentors my fictional heroine Angelika in The Diva’s Daughter. During the Nazi era, party officials pressured Madame Lehmann and other performers to form alliances with them. Through the eyes of Angelika, I was able to explore the dangers and decisions these artists faced, including questions about what constitutes complicity or resistance.
Firsthand accounts from the time, along with later assessments by historians, played a key role in my research, and I took care to accurately reflect the fractious society these artists were forced to navigate. In some cases, there are differing opinions as to whether certain artists truly opposed the Nazis’ hateful ideology at the time or whether they later attempted to alter their stories. In these instances, I’ve presented elements from the historical record in a way that allows readers to draw their own conclusions.
Mary Anne: Angelika grows up in the shadow of a famous opera singer. How did you approach writing about inherited talent, expectation, and the struggle to form one’s own identity?
Angelika’s struggle to honor her late mother’s memory while simultaneously forging her own path as a singer is shown in part through her musical selections and artistic choices. Readers initially see Angelika as a broken shell of her former self, lost without the guidance of her mother, mentor and dearest friend. Angelika doesn’t believe she has the ability to live up to her mother’s example, and struggles to find her voice. I worked to identify musical pieces that would suit Angelika’s self-discovery and skill as she grows throughout the book. For those interested, there is a playlist available on my website featuring songs from The Diva’s Daughter.
The novel’s love story also helps highlight differences and similarities between Angelika and her mother. In the end, Angelika must decide whether her own romantic journey and response to societal expectations will mirror her mother’s, or whether she will ultimately choose to follow her heart in a different way.
Music plays a powerful role in the story, both as a source of beauty and as a tool others try to control. How does music function symbolically within the novel?
I wanted to celebrate the ways in which music and opera reflect time-honored traditions while also adapting and evolving. For instance, one of my characters makes a predication that the rise of cinema might lead to an increased focus on acting and movement in opera. Angelika additionally performs in an opera that is made more widely accessible over the radio, while today, live broadcasts in movie theaters help bring opera to fans around the world.
Contrasting tradition and progress within the operatic world helped shed light upon Angelika’s larger journey to find a proper balance between honoring her late mother’s legacy and forging her own path toward the future. The Nazis’ desire to use Angelika’s voice as propaganda also reflects the sad reality that art can be weaponized and used for evil, as seen in the case of filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl and others from the era.
Mary Anne: Vienna and Munich are depicted very differently, culturally and politically. What drew you to these two cities as settings, and how did they help shape Angelika’s journey?
As readers have noted, The Diva’s Daughter explores the “juxtaposition of Vienna’s cultural vibrancy with Munich’s growing political tension” during the early 1930s. The violent and chaotic Munich beer garden in which Angelika is seen singing during the novel’s opening scene represents the tragic loss of not only her beloved mother, but also the refined life and promising future she enjoyed in Vienna.
It also symbolizes the temptation of a quick and easy path to success. She receives applause and praise at the beer garden without having to put forth a significant effort or challenge herself. As the novel continues and Angelika faces her past in Vienna, readers can see the Nazis’ influence begin to infiltrate that world, as well, and can experience the horrors of these realizations alongside Angelika.
Mary Anne: Was there anything in Angelika’s fear, determination, or moral conflict that resonated personally with you while writing her story?
Angelika’s resiliency as she journeys from grief to hope resonated strongly with me as an author, and I hope it will also resonate with my readers. From the mental health challenges and public condemnation Angelika’s mother faces to the questions of art and politics that impact Angelika, the issues addressed in this novel are still relevant today. I hope Angelika’s journey will inspire others to never stop searching for love and hope in the face of darkness.
The legacy of Angelika’s mother continues to influence her long after her death. How did you balance a powerful off-page character with Angelika’s need to step into her own voice?
While Angelika’s mother is indeed an off-page character in the 1932 setting, I chose to include a series of journal entries and flashbacks throughout the book. Within these vignettes, Angelika recalls pivotal moments and allows readers to see her famous mother in a deeply personal light. As Angelika relives key memories, readers can also discover the way their shared mother-daughter experiences helped influence Angelika’s beliefs. For example, the exploration of other cultures’ languages and artwork, along with their travels to Paris during the boisterous 1920s, likely helped Angelika become particularly accepting and open-minded during a time in which a great many people instead chose hatred.
Mary Anne: Writing about the rise of Nazism can be emotionally demanding. How did you protect your own creative process while engaging with such dark material?
Even as The Diva’s Daughter reflects messages of heart and hope amidst the darkness, there were indeed times I had to step back during the writing process. My writing mentor and community of peers provided an endless array of support as I completed the earlier drafts that eventually became the published novel. As difficult as it can be to face the realities of this era, it is also important to remember and preserve the history.
What do you hope modern readers will take away from Angelika’s struggle to protect her integrity in the face of political coercion, and did the story change the way you think about the responsibility of artists—and writers—during times of moral crisis?
I hope this book will inspire readers to remain true to their inner voices, and strive to champion love and acceptance in our modern society. In a world which is again seeing an alarming rise in antisemitism, we must all use our voices to fight back. As we have recently seen, issues of art and politics are also still relevant. For example, here in the United States, Donald Trump’s removal of a bipartisan board of trustees at national arts venue The Kennedy Center has sparked debate about censorship, whether art is political in nature, and how artists and patrons alike can stand up for their beliefs.
Mary Anne: Thank you for sharing such thoughtful insight into The Diva’s Daughter. Your reflections on history, music, and moral responsibility offer much to consider, particularly at a time when questions about art, power, and integrity feel especially urgent. It has been a pleasure speaking with you about Angelika’s journey and the real histories that inspired it.
Check out the blurb:
Munich & Vienna, 1932
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it all — a cultured life in Vienna, along with the guidance of her glamorous mother, a world-famous soprano. But when tragedy strikes and her mother dies amidst a swirling family scandal, eighteen-year-old Angelika finds herself uprooted to Munich, where civil unrest is rife and leaders of the increasingly powerful Nazi Party seek to use her voice as propaganda.
When a figure from her mother’s past offers Angelika the chance to study and sing at an elite Viennese university, she decides to fight for her dream while evading the vile Nazis she despises. But the Nazis aren’t relenting in their demand that Angelika support their party and sing for Hitler himself. Can Angelika find her voice and stand against evil, even if it means risking not only her dreams of fame, but also the safety of herself and everyone she loves?
Step into a powerful story of history, resilience, and survival. Available now in ebook and paperback, this compelling novel brings a turbulent era vividly to life through unforgettable characters and real historical events. If you enjoy immersive historical fiction that doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, this is a book not to miss. You can find your copy HERE.
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