Excellent book! As a Sound of Music fan, I appreciated the story and learning more about Maria Von Trapp. I thought the book was well written and the storyline was interestingly laid out. I highly recommend this for all libraries and I think it will be a good book club pick.

"Maria" by Michelle Moran is a historical fiction novel about Maria Von Trapp of "The Sound of Music" fame. Michelle Moran wrote, "Madame Tussard", a book that I thoroughly enjoyed (5 stars), so when the opportunity to read Maria became available on NetGalley I grabbed it. I'm so happy I did.
Who doesn't love The Sound of Music? This fictional story is a dual perspective of Maria and Fran. Maria's background is revealed from her difficult childhood to her time at an abbey where she is to become a nun. Maria is sent on assignment to teach one of Captain Von Trapps daughters and the famous story begins. There are twists and turns that are different from the movie and musical as most of us know it.
Fran is a young writer working for Hammerstein during the writing of "The Sound of Music" musical. Maria shows up uninvited to Hammerstein's office hoping to make corrections to the musical script shortly before production. Fran is assigned to quickly brush Maria off and take notes of Maria's grievances rather than Hammerstein meeting Maria directly. Due to Maria's tenacious personality and ability to use her fame to her benefit, brushing her off isn't so easily done.
The novel gives the reader what we are looking for and that's more historical details into the real Maria Von Trapp and the Von Trapp Family Singers. I did not know many of the details, so it was fun to learn more. Some of it was rather bittersweet.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Michelle Moran for the opportunity to read the arc of this novel.

Michelle Moran's Maria tells the story of Maria von Trapp of Sound of Music fame; a dual timeline showcases the creation of the musical. I wanted to like this book more than I did. Perhaps it's because I'd already read Maria von Trapp's autobiographies, but I just felt like I didn't learn anything new about her. The book initially presents Maria as a warm-hearted woman who is playful with the children. When we meet her 25ish years later, her children and step-children describe her as difficult. This novel doesn't really explain this evolution, so it feels as though something is missing.

If a reader isn't familiar with Maria von Trapp's story outside of the well-known musical, I recommend this book. Otherwise, I'd suggest you read the autobiography.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I absolutely love this book. I was so excited when I saw it on NetGalley and I knew that I needed to request it right away. I was happy when I was approved for this book.

If you are a fan of The Sound of Music, Broadway, or are just interested in the Von Trapp family this novel is for you. I had previously read Maria's book so I was familiar with the real story of The Von Trapp family. Michelle Moran did a great job telling the Von Trapp families story.

I read a lot of Historical Fiction books, and this one has to be one of my favorites. I will definitely recommend this one and will be reading it again.

I absolutely adored reading this book. If you loved watching the sound of music over and over, or historical fiction, or Broadway, I think you would enjoy this as well.
2 storylines, both told well. This definitely makes me go down a rabbit hole and find out what is fact and what is fiction

I truly enjoyed Maria by Michelle Moran. It was touching and written with sensitivity for Maria and the entire family. Not having any knowledge of Maria's difficult childhood, it was a surprise to learn how her relations with the Von Trapp family developed, especially in her later years. I loved Fran as the connection to Hammerstein and would have enjoyed even more insight about his approach to the film. I didn't necessarily follow her writing or boyfriend achievements, but did not have a problem with it.

Michelle Moran has written an interesting book about Maria Von Trapp and her family. The beloved movie, while having a foot in reality, was greatly modified from the facts of Maria’s journey through life. But, the real Maria was a very brave and tenacious woman who knew what she wanted and fought to get it. I think that I would have liked her. She was like that no nonsense family member who you could not help but love!

4.5 stars-

MARIA by Michelle Moran exceeded my expectations!! In this retelling Moran used Maria Von Trapp’s autobiographies to brings together a novel of what might have happened if she confronted Oscar Hammerstein on the misrepresentations of her and her family within his musical.

I admittedly haven’t seen SOUND OF MUSIC since I was much younger and I didn’t remember most of it - but I loved this novel for what it was. I enjoyed hearing Maria tell her story and appreciated the respect she had for the baron’s children during a time when most people believed children should be seen and not heard. It was fun to follow Hammerstein’s secretary, Fran’s individual journey through this as well as she meets up with Maria to hear her side of the story.

I typically read fantasy smut so this was definitely not a typical read for me - which is part of why I was shocked that I enjoyed it so much. I think I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting book to read. I believe that SOUND OF MUSIC fanatics might have more criticism for this depending on what their familiar and thoughts are, but as a whole this was a delightful read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

Maria von Trapp shares stories about her childhood and what actually happened when she went to teach one
of the von Trapp children. She reveals that her family was on the last train to leave Austria before the borders
were closed and the life they endured while touring to sing in various locations. Maria's childhood impacted the way she raised the children which left them with little freedom. Enjoyed learning about the lives of those portrayed in The Sound Of Music.
#Maria #Random House #Ballantine #NetGalley

The hills are alive with the 'Sound of Music.' Michelle Moran pens Maria's story revealing the woman behind the musical While the movie and Broadway musical are feel-good entertainment, the Van Trapp family had their share of heartbreak. Facing abuse as a young child, Maria was paralyzed by fear of everything being taken away from her and that caused her disciplinary behavior.

Successful in saving the family, I was saddened to learn that the lighthearted charactered portrayed by Julie Andrews or her predecessor, Mary Martin was a work of fiction. The real Maria was flawed and fierce in her devotion. She was committed to God and keeping her family together. Learning that the children drifted from the Lodge after Georg's death was devastating. While Maria's autobiography differed from the Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, 'I Have Confidence' that 'There Was Something' Good that weaved together the play and plot.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #Maria in exchange for an honest review. Historical fiction provides behind-the-scenes accounts of famous people and places. For a brief stay, I checked in to Austria and toured Europe. I was a fly on the wall in Hammerstein's office and meeting with Fran, Maria and Lorli. Closing the final chapter, I let the story sing once more.

I do believe this is my favorite book of 2024, so far. I was intrigued from the get go. I had always read that Maria gave the powers that be trouble with the script for The Sound of Music, but I did not know why. I think Ms. Moran has written a lovely book about love, faith, a big hit musical and family troubled in more ways than we knew about.

I hate to spoil anything because this book is jam packed of events, right from the get go. The story alternates between Maria discussing her real life story with one of Richard Rodger’s assistants and her life with Georg and the children. She loved the children instantly and it is so evident. Oh, I almost forgot, don’t be married to the characters in the stage show/film, some of those people never existed in real life and some of them had complete personality changes when it came to what would be shown to the public.

I am telling everyone I know to preorder this one, it is well worth your time, my only complaint was that I devoured too quickly. I do plan on re reading.

I initially didn't think I wanted to read this book because I'd seen the Sound of Music and didn't think there would be anything new. But this book was a fresh take on the life of Maria von Trapp. I really enjoyed it. It was well-placed and early held my interest throughout. It was a bittersweet story but one that I was glad I read.

Like many people, I grew up with The Sound of Music and so was immediately drawn to this book. I am so glad to have learned more about Maria, what her life was like, who she really was. There are many sad parts to her story & her children’s story, but so much to learn and grown from too.
The story is told from two points of view… Maria & then an assistant to Hammerstein, Fran. While I didn’t feel as drawn to Fran’s story and felt parts were rushed, I still felt for her and was interested to see where her storyline was going to go.
The book is well-written, pacing is great, characters are well rounded and the information/research is fantastic.
I loved this book

this is a story that I was amazed with. So different from the Sound of Music "Maria". It made me sad that my image of her is forever changed. It is amazing that the children returned in the end. How could she go from being a Nun to a pushy and unfeeling stepmother. I felt very sorry for her youngest daughter.

I grew up watching The Sound of Music with my Mom. This book brought back all of those great memories and it was so fun to learn more about Maria.

If you grew up loving the The Sound of Music and everything about the Von Trapp Family this book is for you. As a child, there was always something magical about this family. I know the movie by heart, I have seen the show on Broadway, and this past year I finally made it to the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. This book was a wonderful addition to my understanding of the Trapp Family and their complicated story.

This book is set in the 1950's as Rogers and Hammerstein are about to open The Sound of Music on Broadway. Maria Von Trapp has contacted their office and wants to set the record straight on some of the "facts" that were presented in a previous dramatization of their story. Fran, an assistant to Oscar Hammerstein, is tasked with meeting Maria. Through their conversations we are brought back to Maria's childhood and are granted a better understanding of her upbringing, her time as the Von Trapp family's nanny, their rise to fame as a family of singers, and ultimately their escape from Austria.

I absolutely adored this book and could not wait to get home every night to read more. The writing is easy breezy to fall in love with and I really appreciated a better understanding of Maria. She was a headstrong and fierce woman who made mistakes, but, ultimately, only wanted the best for her family. If you are a fan of The Sound of Music this is a must read!

Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran is a great historical fiction that delves into the real story of the family within the famous movie The Sound of Music.

I have always loved this movie, and for those that are huge fans, this book is for you.

I really liked how the author was able to present the truth and what really happened vs fiction and legend that has been created concerning this family and the infamous movie and characters that were created. I have been shying away from any historical fiction that has more than one timeline due to burnout, however this method definitely works and I am glad I looked over my initial hesitation.

The pacing, the presentation, and the things I learned while reading this gem made for a wonderful time.

Highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/30/24.

I was thrilled to receive the ARC of this book from NetGalley!!! I am a lover of all musicals, Rodgers and Hammerstein.

The novel Maria is historical fiction that fans of The Sound of Music will thoroughly enjoy!!

The Sound of Music was an albeit necessary yet still overly optimistic view through “rose colored glasses” of a time set leading up to World War II. In true Broadway style the portrayal of the story had to show a more softened view of some of the hard truths, making them more palatable to all viewers. The weakened portrayal of hardship caused by the pending war, Hitler, and Natzism in the Austrian region and its effects on the Von Trapp family was because of that necessary adaptation. As we all know result was still an awe inspiring musical. How awesome it is to potentially see behind the curtain!!!

Although this story is fiction, the book seems to delve into the portrayal of the true to life trauma behind the musical and it shows the necessity in making the true story more agreeable to audiences of the musical. For the record I loved getting to know Oscar. ♥️

A beautifully well written story. One thing, I did feel the relationship between Fran and Peter was a bit rushed and needs to build the story a tad more but overall I really loved this book. Maybe that will happen before the final release.

Interesting fictional account. I liked it but didn't love it. As a long-time (over 45 years long!) fan of this story, it didn't provide much new for me. I've read all of Maria von Trapp's writings, and this cannot compare to the real thing.
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

All I can say is Wow!!
The book is even better than the movie!
That's saying a lot since I love The Sound of Music too.
The author has done an amazing job in her research.
I felt like I got to know them better too.
Especially Maria. Maria is an amazing woman. In a way I really admired her for her bravery and determination to get through what life threw at her.
I couldn't put this book down until it was finished. Such a good book too.
I didn't want the book to end.
This book will make you want to hug Maria and cry too.
She will make you think about your own life and how to make different choices, changes and yes maybe even love and a family.
I'm giving this novel 5 stars for a well written book. I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.