Maria by Michelle Moran was a bit disappointing in that it retold the main points of the movie. I was expecting something more or other than what the movie depicted. It was nicely written, perhaps it offers an introduction to someone unaware of the story.

Maria is the story of Maria Von Trapp made famous by The Sound of Music. The book begins with Maria wishing to speak with Oscar Hammerstein before the musical of The Sound of Music opened on Broadway in the 1950s. Maria did not like that the story had been changed from what actually happened. Hammerstein's secretary, Fran, meets with her instead. Maria tells Fran her compelling story which reveals the difficult life that Maria led. The book is fascinating especially when Maria's real life story parallels the beloved movie's storyline. I thoroughly; enjoyed reading about Maria's life. It is clear that Michelle Moran did a lot of research in her writing of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing House for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of Maria.

Maria Augusta Kutschera grew up as an orphan in an abusive environment. After earning a teaching degree, she received an assignment to serve as a teacher to one of seven children in a local Austrian family. In this job, Maria brought music and play to the home and fell in love with the children. Their father, Captian Georg Von Trapp, fell in love with Maria. Eventually, the couple married and developed a family choir that toured Europe.
After the family escaped the Nazi regime and settled in the U.S., they continued touring until Georg's death. Oscar Hammerstein wrote the lyrics for the 1950s musical based on Maria's life. However, some of the story in that award-winning play and later movie were incorrect. This book shares a fictional account of the real Maria's life.
I love the Sound of Music and was eager to read this book! It kept me entertained. Much of the first half of the movie is based on facts. But much of the second half of the play/movie are fictionalized. Despite her initial reservations, Maria did eventually embrace the story.
I was surprised that Maria's children were so estranged from her after their father died. But she was a woman who knew what she wanted and pursued her wishes. She was also a demanding mother and pushed the children to perform even when they suffered severe anxiety. According to the novel, "misunderstandings and anxieties and fears have driven everyone away.”
Her demanding demeanor also suprised me. She started her job as governess with a fun and playful attitude. That fun changed in time, and she became controlling of the children, perhaps in part as an overreaction to her traumatic childhood and fear of abandonment.
Interesting facts:
"Nec aspera terrent [is] the von Trapp family motto, and it means Frightened by No Difficulties."
Father Franz Wasner managed the family's career in Austria. The play/movie replaces him with Max Detwiler.

3,5 stars

As someone who grew up watching and re-watching The Sound of Music, this book felt like a perfect trip down nostalgia land. Not only does it retain some of the magic of the music, but it also gives just the right amount of backstory as to how the musical even came to be.

Personally, I found that the author did a good job at introducing the "real" story from Maria's point of view, who let in on the amount of guilt she felt while also not truly regretting where all her efforts got her in the end. She was a highly insecure person who needed validation and was afraid that people around her would just eventually leave. That is potentially why her narration of facts always felt unreliable, which I liked. When Lorli confirms that Maria is not being wholly transparent that simply seals that for the reader, and provides more clarity on why her story feels so idyllic in a way.

As for Fran, I think that despite not getting that much into her character, she was a great vessel to portray the position of white women in society in the 1950s, especially in the creative fields. I liked that the author chose to portray the inner workings of Broadway at the time, and the publishing industry in New York.

My biggest surprise was the Captain, who has been depicted rather unfairly throughout the years. I wish that Maria (when narrating her life story) would have focused more on the nuances of his character, but the little glimpses we got were crucial to understanding how his grief may have contributed to his detachment from the children and his former life, and how, despite it all, his values were never up for sale regardless of his family's financial situation and social standing. He seemed to have been the one who kept the family together by softening the blow of Maria's temper every time.

All in all, I found this an entertaining read and one that filled me with nostalgia and a yearning to rewatch the movie. I wish there would have been greater depth, but ultimately I was left satisfied by how the author decided to portray the story of the musical and of the von Trapps themselves.

This isn't the first book I have read about the Von Trapps. However, I was almost afraid to try it because I thought it might ruin one of my favorite movies. Though it was fiction, I feel it had a different perspective on the family. It was well written and I really enjoyed it. Even the movie was 'loosely based' on their lives, but the major points were true.
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to read the ARC. Definitely recommend!

Maria, written by Michelle Moran, was released on July 30 and was a delightful story to read. Based on the real Maria Von Trapp and her singing family, the story is told through two different settings. The first is in New York City with the development of Hammerstein’s Broadway production of the “The Sound of Music.” The remainder of the story is set in Austria and follows Maria from the abbey to the home of the Von Trapp family. This novel opened my eyes to things I never knew past the movie I watched as a child. Information about the love affair, the lives and personalities of the children, and the aftermath of WWII and their journey to America. My rating is 4 stars and is definitely a must read if you are a fan of “The Sound of Music” from 1965.

In this fascinating dual-timeline, dual perspective historical fiction novel, Michelle Moran brings Maria von Trapp and Oscar Hammerstein’s secretary Fran to life. As Hammerstein works on the story to turn it into a big Broadway show, Maria has concerns with the script and intends to confront Hammerstein in person but is instead foisted off onto Fran. Striking up an unlikely friendship, Maria shares the true story of her life with Fran, contradicting much of what appears in Hammerstein’s final musical. As they explore her life story and prepare for the Broadway opening, Fran learns that the stories are usually more complicated in reality and change our understandings of the tales immortalized by the entertainment industry. Flashing back to Maria’s life and then to her conversations with Fran, the novel does an incredible job bringing her story to life and building out the reality that influenced the hit musical The Sound of Music. With incredible characters, stakes which increase as the novel progresses, and so many fascinating details, this dual-timeline novel forces readers to look beyond the surface of the pop culture stories they take for granted. Handling challenging issues and forgotten stories brilliantly, Moran’s latest book is a fascinating story about family and the complicated truths behind any public family.

This was good. I always liked the movie so the book intrigued right away. Makes me want to read her autobiography.

This book focused on the life of Maria von Trapp, and even moreso, about the making of the musical The Sound of Music. When Hammerstein developed a play based upon her tale, Maria hated it. She demanded changes to the script because she felt that the story wasn't being true to some of the specific details that actually took place. Fran Connelly, Hammerstein's assistant, speaks with Maria in this book to review the issues and discuss - and come to resolution - on how things could move forward.

The discussions were interesting and I think that fans of the story - the play or the movie - would find the changes to be intriguing. For instance, the personalities of Maria and Georg von Trapp were actually flipped in the movie. In reality, Maria was the strict disciplinarian and the Baron was the positive and optimistic one.

Overall, it was a good book and will be interesting to those that know the story and want to find out more truth behind the tale. My thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.

In the 1950’s Oscar Hammerstein is intrigued by the story of Maria Von Trapp. Knowing that the world wasn’t ready for the true horrors the Von Trapp family faced, Hammerstein told the story from a Hollywood point of view. Maria was not at all pleased with the outcome. This book, while Historical Fiction, does a good job of portraying the Von Trapp family as a whole, not sugar coating their flaws. While most of the world only knows the story of the Von Trapp’s from the movie, The Sound of Music, there is a whole lot more. Moran puts that story in writing to give a clearer perspective of what really happened. Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

thank you thank you thank you to Random House - Ballentine and NetGalley for the e-ARC!! I grew up on the Sound of Music. It was my first musical that I ever watched in person, the first movie musical I ever watched with my grandparents, it's a very passionate subject for me. I was fascinated and enrapt every minute I was reading it. I learned a lot about the true subject of the musical and the true biography of Maria von Trapp. I loved the book and the finished copy is sitting on my bookshelf within my view.

Maria by Michelle Moran is a historical novel that delves into the true story behind the iconic Maria von Trapp, whose life inspired The Sound of Music. Moran tells the story of Maria by contrasting the sanitized version that Hollywood famously immortalized with the reality of the her struggles and triumphs.

Set in the 1950's, the novel begins with Oscar Hammerstein, one-half of the celebrated Rodgers & Hammerstein duo, as he is tasked with adapting Maria's life into a Broadway musical. As Hammerstein delves into Maria's background, the story transitions into an exploration of the real Maria von Trapp - a woman whose life was marked by loss, sacrifice, and resilience. Maria's journey from an Austrian novice sent to care for a widower's child toa baroness fleeing Nazi occupation is at the heart of this novel. Moran highlights the tension between the fictionalized version of Maria and the gritty truth she lived.

The heart of the novel lies in Maria's relationship with Fran, Hammerstein's secretary. Through this unlikely friendship, Maria shares the parts of her story that were glossed over or altered for theatrical effect. The author reveals a Maria who is far more complex than her cheerful portrayal on screen- grappling with the weight of war, displacement, and her role as both wife and stepmother in extraordinary circumstances.

I really enjoyed Maria and I have recommended it to several friends. #NetGalley #MichelleMoran #Maria

The Sound of Music has always been one of my all-time favorite musicals. I know every song by heart and have seen it performed live several times. So, when a historical fiction retelling of Maria Von Trapp came across my radar, I knew I had to read it.

Obviously, everyone knows that any adaptation has some embellishments or scenes that are changed for a broader audience, perhaps more dramatic or more humorous than the real-life event depicted actually was. What I did not know was how upset Maria Von Trapp was with Hammerstein and his interpretation of her life, which was also based on a German film that I had no idea even existed. Although, I assume Michelle Moran took some liberties herself in her own interpretation of what happened during the months preceding the premier of the musical, I felt like the author finally gave Maria the voice she was desperately seeking in her requested changes. I also saw why Hammerstein was set in his own ways, having created one successful musical after another.

What I loved most about all the new (to me?) information in this novel was that Georg really loved Maria and his children. I was also pleased to learn that they had children of their own who were part of the original Von Trapp Family Singers. The musical makes everything about their life a somewhat fairytale, even the hike over the mountain to escape the Nazis (which never happened). This book shows the grittier nature of Maria, the financial problems that the Baron had at the beginning of the war and how they truly narrowly missed a window of escape. I also appreciated adding the reluctance of one of the children to sing.

My only issue with the book was that I felt the chapters with Fran and her personal life were completely unnecessary and did not tie in with Maria's story at all. The use of Fran for storytelling purposes and as a listener to Maria's true accounts of her life was well done and made sense int the overall structure of the book.

Overall, a fantastic read that does not diminish one's love of the musical in any way, but rather adds to the story. Recommended for any old and new fans of The Sound of Music and truth based historical fiction. 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4

Thank you to NetGalley, Michelle Moran, and Random House - Ballantine for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

A captivating historical fiction that tells us about the life of the real Maria Von Trapp. We read of her early life and then of the time when Rogers and Hammerstein work on the musical adaptation of her life. I loved the honest portrayal which told of the difficulties she faced.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran.
I would assume, like many people, that Maria’s life resembled much of what was portrayed in “The Sound of Music”. Although there are only a few similarities, this shouldn’t deter anyone from reading this rich historical narrative. As Maria shares her concerns about the upcoming Broadway play, she is vulnerable as she exposes how she dealt with her new life as a mother and wife. I enjoyed the storyline from her early years as an aspiring nun to her journey into the von Trapp family’s musical legacy.
The novel beautifully balances Maria's personal struggles with the broader historical context of early 20th-century Austria. Maria’s character is portrayed with depth—her passion for music, her desire for freedom, and her resilience in the face of societal expectations are all compellingly explored.
The pacing of the novel is well-structured, with moments of tension and joy that keep readers engaged. The bigger than life Oscar Hammerstein is woven through, along with other characters that lend authenticity to the historical backdrop.
Overall, "Maria" is a heartfelt tribute to an extraordinary woman. It’s a delightful read for fans of historical fiction, music lovers, and anyone intrigued by the story behind the movie.

I had some basic idea that The Sound of Music's story was nothing at all like the real people it portrays, but it's fascinating to get another version of the story told around the creation of the musical. We get time jumps between Maria telling her version of the story and Fran, a young woman in 1959 who works for Oscar Hammerstein and is charged with seeing what Maria's issues with the new story are. It's two very different worlds and stories connecting through the magic of Broadway musicals.
Moran does a great job of setting the scene for both a 1950s America slowly recuperating from the horrors of war and adapting to the new world and the fascinating Austrian life of Maria going from abused orphan to noviciate to nanny and eventually a singing baroness. The situations and actions of people feel true to the places and era and really add to the true feel of the story.
Overall, it's a fascinating new take on the life of a woman who led a remarkable life but few know the true story of told in an inventive new way.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Dell for the interesting read!

Maria.
A Novel of Maria von Trapp
by Michelle Moran (this review is based on an ARC sent to me by Netgalley)

This dramatic novel, based on the woman Romanized in the film The Sound of Music (1965), played by Julie Andrews, brings Maria to life as never before, which is based on a 1959 Broadway musical by the famous duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and which is based on a 1956 German movie called Die Familie Trapp In the 1950s.
Oscar Hammerstein is asked to write the lyrics to a musical based on the life of a woman named Maria von Trapp.
Yet much of Maria’s life will have to be reinvented for the stage, and with the horrors of war still fresh in people’s minds, Hammerstein can’t let audiences see just how close the von Trapps came to losing their lives.
This novel is a fictional account set at the time Rodgers and Hammerstein are writing their famous musical.
Hearing that they are writing this musical, Maria von Trapp shows up to their offices in New York City insisting on telling them the real story so that they can accurately portray her life, her family, and her husband.
The narration alternates between Maria’s life and that of Hammerstein’s fictional secretary Fran. 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, immortalized by Hollywood.
Michelle Moran, an author known for writing historical fiction based on real strong women, did her research, so while the exact conversations may have been fictionalized, they were based on fact.

In the 1950s, Oscar Hammerstein is inspired to adapt Maria von Trapp’s story—a novice-turned-nanny who married a baron and led her family to safety from the Nazis—into a Broadway musical. When Maria discovers the altered story, she confronts Hammerstein's secretary, Fran, leading to an unexpected friendship as Maria shares her real story, which differs greatly from what will appear in The Sound of Music.

I always knew The Sound of Music was fiction based on real life, but I never knew just how much. The set-up of the story is very well done. In the 1950s, we follow Fran as she listens to Mrs. von Trapp’s story, though she knows it is too late for the script to change. And then we have Maria von Trapp’s telling of her life story.

My least favorite part was how Maria’s telling was in the present tense. It felt out of place to me, but other readers may not even notice. The plot was paced well and detailed enough without sounding like a biography.

Overall, this was an interesting novel and I did feel as though I learned a lot. Readers who enjoy the musical or have an interest in fiction based on real life will probably enjoy this one.

This a fictionalized story of Maria von Trapp.
In the 1950s, Oscar Hammerstein is asked to write the lyrics to a musical based on the life of a woman named Maria von Trapp. The musical had quite a few thing changed to make it more appealing to the public, but when Maria von Trapp read the script she was adamant, that this was not all a true story, and wanted to have them rewrite it. She tried to talk to Oscar Hammerstein, to give him the real story, but instead Hammerstein, had his assistant Fran sit down with Maria to hear her concerns, and her real story.
The book goes back and forth between the making of the musical, and us hearing the true story of Maria's life, which was quite different in a lot of ways.
The author did a great job putting this story together and researching the true life of Maria.
Anyone who loved the story of the von Trapp family, will enjoy this book and getting a different perspective.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random house publishing group for a copy of this book.

MARIA takes readers behind the scenes of sound of music and shows the back story of a loved classic. This book was surprising because I learned so much and really felt transported