The
Married Widow: My Journey with Bob Zappa by Diane Papalia
Zappa is an inspiring, real-life love story that is as deeply moving as it is
entertaining. The connection between Diane and Bob was strong and unwavering
when they first met each other in 1986, but circumstances couldn’t allow them
to be together. They occasionally crossed paths for almost three decades but
couldn’t be together until 2013 when they were free. But then, tragedy struck,
and they were separated — or were they?
A bittersweet tale of love and a long
journey of soulmates who could only enjoy each other briefly. In this book,
Diane chronicles this journey and allows readers to feel their pain of
separation, her exhilarating sense of loss when Bob died, and how she coped
with the loss. From the very start of the book, the author arouses the
curiosity of the reader and shares her emotion after meeting the brother of the
famed musician, Frank Zappa: “I felt a need to stay in touch with Bob, and on
some level, wanted to know him better, and to have him in my life.” That
longing would stay with her for close to three decades, finally becoming a
reality.
This is a fascinating tale of love, of
patient longing and waiting, and even if the union between Diane and bob was
brief, it was utterly transporting and rich. Written in prose that is gorgeous
and in a voice that is irresistible, this memoir captures the undiluted
emotions of one woman’s extraordinary journey to the man she was meant to love.
It is affecting, and Diane Papalia Zappa has the incredible ability to capture
raw emotions and explore the different seasons of their soul with unusual
clarity and fluidity of expression. What is enthralling about this love story
is that it endures even after death and it contains a powerful message of hope
for readers who have loved and lost — the dead are never dead but alive. The Married Widow: My Journey with Bob Zappa
is more than a mere memoir; it is a wonderful testament of a love that is
stronger than death. It will move you in ways you can’t imagine as you explore
the intricate world of Diane and Bob.
