Maria von Trapp wrote at least two memoirs. "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers" inspired "The Sound of Music"; "Maria" went deeper into the abuse she suffered as a child and her life after the group dissolved. This novel borrows liberally from both—I'm pretty sure I recall some exact turns of phrase from von Trapp's books. For this novel not to be superfluous, it needed to shine light on the real Maria's inner workings and faults far more than von Trapp's books did.

Unfortunately author Michelle Moran falls short. She does discuss what was in effect Maria's emotional abuse of her daughter Rosmarie and her overall stubbornness, but she falls short on much more. The fictional Maria goes from being raised atheist to entering a nunnery: What brought that about? Originally nurturing of the stepchildren and emphasizing their need to be kids, she becomes short-tempered and even off-putting with her own children, even before becoming a demanding tyrant once they begin performing professionally: Why? The book misses out on the chance to show the evolution of her personality.

Then there's a subplot about Oscar Hammerstein's assistant Fran that has only the most tenuous of links to the story of Maria, plus one lone little chapter from Hammerstein's POV that reveals he has terminal cancer. The inclusion of that chapter is the most awkward shoehorning of a subplot I've ever come across.

Giving this three stars might seem generous. But I did enjoy the first few chapters about Fran, even though I knew where the storyline would end up. Maybe that should have been a different book altogether. And because I haven't read von Trapp's memoirs since I was a kid, reading this was a bit of cozy nostalgia for me. But if given the choice between those and this novel, choose the memoirs.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House—Ballantine, for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great fictionalized book of Maria Von Trapp. This is the first book by this author that I have read and I really enjoyed it. I love the drama and the character arcs. This is a wonderful historical book

“Maria,” by Michelle Moran, is a historical fiction book about Maria von Trapp and the making of the play “The Sound of Music.” In this book, Maria is upset about the portrayal of her husband, Captain von Trapp, and wants to speak to Oscar Hammerstein about this. Hammerstein sends one of his assistants to speak to Maria - and this story unfolds. This book is partially based upon the books that Maria wrote (two autobiographies) and some resources from the time of the play. I’ll admit, I am not a fan of the movie (though I’ll admit I understand the love for the movie), but I thought this book would be interesting to read for “the story behind the story.” I understand why Ms. Moran took the path that she did in this book - introducing Fran, the assistant, for whom Maria told her story. I wasn’t as interested in Fran’s side story regarding her writing and boyfriend. I did like the inclusion of Mr. Hammerstein’s chapter, which at first I felt was jarring, but as the book progressed I felt the information was better coming from him opposed to someone else. Maria von Trapp was more than a “sweet girl hoping to join the convent” and for those who haven’t investigated her story online, this makes her a bit more human - flaws, good points, and all. I was rather pleased to read that Captain von Trapp has a number of moments to shine as I always hoped he was a bit less “Captain” and a bit more “Dad” with his family. And I agree with Maria - why not have a second story of the von Trapp family after they left Austria - pretty interesting (and thus why she wrote a second book, I’m sure!). Overall, this was an enjoyable book … and that cover, so perfect for this book (and probably the scene most remember from the movie).

This is an extraordinary book with the inside scoop of the Trapp Family singers.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen the movie, “The Sound of Music” with the nun, Maria, on the picturesque mountain singing so beautifully. Of course, there’s also the handsome Captain Georg von Trapp with his children ranging from an adorable toddler to a sweet 16-year-old. It was the lyrics and music by Rogers & Hammerstein that had a strong impact in making this film win Best Picture in 1965 at the Academy Awards.

Naturally, I couldn’t wait to read a story about Maria’s life – not the version that was sort of true but what really happened with a timeline of events from when she was a child to her later years. Fran Connelly, Oscar Hammerstein’s secretary, met with Maria, upon her insistence, in 1959 to jot down some key points of her life. It was when the Broadway play was in the last stages of production. Maria was very clear: she wanted it to be accurate. How much did Hammerstein change the scenes to please her? There was much to tell which fascinated me.

The book gave readers a historical account of how the Nazis changed Austria when Hitler took control in 1938. While the Trapp family was caught in a dreadful time, it conveyed the close connection they had with music. The story showed how Maria and Georg’s love gave this family the strength they needed to survive. At the end, the author included a brief summary of the Trapp family members along with a list of discussion questions.

My thanks to Dell and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of July 30, 2024.

Oh, what a lovely book. The Sound of Music for a new generation, a little grittier and definitely more revealing of character than the version I grew up with. It's a book that needed to be written, so thank you for writing it. This is definitely a different, more human version of the von Trapp family that will resonate with today's readers. Maria was a real woman, with strengths and weaknesses, and we can learn from her to keep going, keep believing in yourself, and do the best you can.

Fictionalized account about the making of the play "Sound of Music" and the life of Maria Von Trapp. I don't feel like this really added a lot that was new to the story, of much of it is included in the movie and play. There were some interesting things about Maria's early life, but I feel like the author was trying to paint Maria in a bad light. She wasn't perfect but it must have taken a lot of strength and courage to rescue her family from both financial ruin and the Nazis.

Maria" by Michelle Moran offers a captivating twist on the beloved "Sound of Music" tale, presenting a fresh perspective that keeps readers engaged. Moran skillfully breathes new life into familiar characters and settings. With dual timelines, we also get to learn about Hammerstein and the creation of the musical on Broadway.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. 'The Sound of Music' brings back all the childhood memories for me; it was one of my all time favorite movies that I watched over and over constantly singing the songs. The book is about Maria Von Trapp and the details of her life and the inaccuracies of the broadway screenplay compared to real life. I was captivated from page one and could not put the book down, finishing it in one day. If you are a fan of the movie then this book is a MUST READ! I could picture each scene in the movie as it was being retold in the book.

Wow! Make sure you start with the authors note. It gives a lot of context behind what is true and what was written with liberties. I loved Sound Of Music, now after reading this, I will watch it with even more knowledge and love! The duel timeline was perfect, Maria and all the background was so interesting, definitely a book I highly recommend you picking up!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Who doesn't love The Sound of Music?!! Michelle Moran delves into answering all the questions you might have about the real Maria von Trapp, in this historical fiction page-turner. The dual-timeline story tells of Maria's trip to New York to meet with Oscar Hammerstein ahead of the premier of the musical, to set him straight on the details he got wrong, and of Maria's upbringing and her life before, during and after the period of time the musical covers. I was hooked immediately! The story is very well-researched; Maria's life was even more interesting than what we know from the musical and movie. The storyline that takes place in the 1950s was most interesting when Maria was involved. I wasn't crazy about the side story of Fran, the Hammerstein staffer who is sent to deal with Maria's complaints. But all in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it!

A story that is fictional but based on fact. Yes, I like a lot of others "loved" The Sound of Music, and this is Maria's story.
Be sure to read the Author's Note, it does explain a lot, and we learn that a lot of this read is true! Sadly, some of the things a parent would love to change, but not possible!
This is a read to savor and enjoy, and find out some interesting facts about the Von Trapp family, I'm really glad that I chose to read this book! Not only did I enjoy this read, but it brought back such fond memories of the movie.
Yes, those drapes really did get cut up!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Random House Ballantine, and was not required to give a positive review.

I’m sure I am not alone in having fond memories of the first time I saw Julie Andrews in the screen adaptation of “The Sound of Music.” The hills, the songs, the voices, the story—on the big screen, it couldn’t fail to enchant. To this day, I have family members who seek out reruns in the theaters and have memorized every line of the score. Yet somehow I missed the news that Maria von Trapp was so unhappy with the treatment of her life on the stage that she wrote a letter of protest to Oscar Hammerstein begging him to rewrite the lyrics to more accurately reflect her family’s experience.

The show was in rehearsal on Broadway by the time Maria’s letter reached its destination, so it is perhaps not surprising that her protests had little effect. But that’s not the point of this charming new novel by Michelle Moran. The book moves back and forth between New York in 1959, where a group of fictional writers working for Hammerstein give their perspective on the conflict, and Maria’s own story told from her point of view, beginning in Salzburg, Austria, in 1926, when she is still a novice teaching six-year-olds at the convent.

As a writer, what fascinated me most about this book was watching in real (that is, novelistic) time the transformation of biography into story. Yes, Maria was right: “The Sound of Music” distorts her truth in ways both fundamental and trivial. And in one case—the family’s escape from Austria not long after Hitler invaded—the fictional version is actually less dramatic than the reality (the novel proposes an explanation for that). But the changes also work, in terms of dramatic arc, in ways that a strict adherence to fact could not have sustained. And that says something about fiction and its role in our lives.

Find out more when I host the author on my blog (link below) in early August 2024.

Maria
by Michelle Moran
Pub Date: July 30, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Maria von Trapp. You know the name and the iconic songs, but do you know her real story? This dramatic novel, based on the woman glamorized in The Sound of Music, brings Maria to life as never before.
With the horrors of war still fresh in people’s minds, Hammerstein won’t let audiences see just how close the von Trapps came to losing their lives. But when Maria sees the script, she is so incensed that she sets off to confront Hammerstein, who foists her off on Fran, his secretary. The pair strike up an unlikely friendship as Maria tells Fran about her life, contradicting much of what will eventually appear in The Sound of Music and delivering a far grittier tale.Michelle Moran's hugely entertaining novel explores how Hammerstein grossly misinterpreted Maria's story and offers a more nuanced retelling. Maria is a powerful reminder that the truth is often more complicated—and certainly more compelling—than the stories immortalized by Hollywood.
This book is extraordinary!! The author has written a gorgeous story that will ring in the hearts of those who adore The Sound of Music, who want to know more about the family's complicated matriarch. I loved the narrative that flows like honey, the dual timeline structure that allows us to follow Maria's life as she lived it in Austria, then as she retells it to a fictional assistant to lyricist Oscar Hammerstein in the 1950s, when he was working on a Broadway musical about the von Trapp family.

I have never watched The Sound of Music, but now after reading Maria I most definitely will! I ended up having a love/hate relationship with Maria at times but don't we all with ourselves at one time or another? I enjoyed this book and following her life before the the vonTrapp family and during.

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC.

Maria is really good historical fiction, the story behind The Sound of Music, Maria, and the Von Trapp family. It was particularly interesting to read about the rise of Nazism and the Trapp family's decision to leave Austria. I appreciated learning the "real" story of the family and the development of the musical. The fictional characters of Fran and Peter are also a fun addition to the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book
I felt this was a uniquely told book from Maria’s perspective it was engaging and researched well

I really enjoyed this book!
As an avid Sound of Music fan, the title caught my eye right away as did the cover art. I loved reading a story from Maria's point of view, and hearing in her voice what she went through in her life. I grew up watching The Sound of Music with my great grandma and the writing painted a lovely picture in my mind, recalling movie moments we all know so well. I could just see the kids in their playclothes made from drapes, singing away while falling in love with "their" Maria. It was interesting to have the twist on it that the real Maria didn't approve of a lot of the parts in the musical and made me wonder what the whole family thought of it all. A good new perspective on a beloved classic, in my eyes. Thanks, NetGalley, and Ms. Moran, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Maria is written as a way for the title character to tell her truth versus the 1950's musical story of The Sound Of Music. In Maria, she reads the musical of her story and quite upset by parts that are left out or changed she heads to clear up the story. This novel takes the beloved Sound of Music and Maria's truth and merges them in such a beautiful way.

While I find myself to be a less than huge fan of the Sound of Music (movie version) I absolutely enjoyed this novel where Maria tells her story to Fran, the assistant of the original musical writer (Hammerstein). To see how Fran uses this story is quite interesting as well.

Well worth the read if you are a lover of musicals, especially The Sound Of Music as it beautifully blends truth and fiction.

Okay, first a confession - I'm probably one of the very few who is not a fan of this movie and I love most musicals. Not sure why but it just wasn't, however, my daughter who also loves musicals (apple doesn't fall far from the tree) happens to love it. So her growing up caused me to have to watch this several (hundreds?) times over so I know it every which way. With that said the subject of this book intrigued me and it is soooooo much better than the movie/musical. Although this is fiction - it is a blend of fiction and non-fiction and not only better aligns truth from Hollywood tales but also tells the rest of Maria's tale. I'm sure reading Maria's own biography (I believe there are 2) would tell her story completely correctly but, in my opinion, Michelle Moran, blends this together perfectly. It's fast reading and NEVER a dull moment. A great read whether you are a fan of the movie/musical or not. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. This book gave us a glimpse into the real life story of Maria from the movie Sound of music. How she was sent to help a family during a time she wanted to become a nun. This story gave us a behind the scenes perspective of her life. A must read.