If you are familiar with The Sound of Music, you might love this book There were chapters of Maria by Michelle Moran that were literal scenes from the movie until about midway through the story. Told in dual timelines, one follows the movie and the other follows the 1950s Maria von Trapp as she tries to to set Rodgers & Hammerstein straight with what actually happened. Prior to reading this novel, I hadn't known about the aspects of the von Trapp family story that were fictionalized for Broadway and Hollywood. This book is a great reminder that the truth is usually far more complicated than made-for-tv sagas.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my gosh! I just loved, loved, loved this book about my favorite movie of all time. It was so interesting to get glimpses of Hammerstein at the time time the musical was being produced (I didn't realize it was his last!) as well as getting the "real" story from Maria Von Trapp. While I have read other biographies of Maria Von Trapp--this combo of the her life and the musical version of her supposed life was riveting and so enjoyable. I absolutely devoured it! And am now off to watch the movie!

I absolutely loved this story, and was surprised to find the true story of one of my favorite musicals, The Sound Of Music. I honestly believed everything to be true, so found this story truly opened my eyes. This book provided so much additional information about the family I find so interesting, and helped pain a very real picture of this historical period of time. I would absolutely recommend this book at any fan of historical fiction, or interested in learning more about the von Trapp family.
Huge thank you to Michelle Moran, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group for this advanced copy.

If The Sound of Music was a staple movie of your childhood, you should enjoy this book. Very interesting to read the true story of the Von Trapp family and what really happened and how they really felt about the making of their lives into a show - a wholly inaccurate but nevertheless very entertaining show.

Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read this book.

I loved it! Maria von Trapp the way the world has never seen her. I was engaged in this novel the whole way and was a little sad when it ended. A fresh perspective, and therefore brave, on a tale the world loves and knows well. Enjoyable read. Recommend.

Oh my goodness. The Sound of Music is one of my all-time favorite movie/musical and reading "Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp" by Michelle Moran was such a treat, learning of the real-life people behind this fantastic production. Loved how the real-life version was somewhat different from the story we know, more people in this talented family, as well as the conflicts, hardships, harmony and resilience that they experienced, was fascinating. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Oh, how I wanted to love this book. Austria, von Trapps, a family fleeing over the mountains in their musical glory...what's not to love? The challenge is sometimes I want the real story, and sometimes, well, I just don't. It turns out "Maria" served me up a portion of the latter, where the fictional-but-based-on-real-events version of the von Trapp story tipped down my rose-colored glasses to a story that is much more stern - and much less colorful - than my imagination had filled in from The Sound of Music.

In other words, not a beach read. More of a splash of cold water.

That being said, Moran wrote this nicely and weaved together a narrative that got me through to the end easily. But will I try to keep my fantasies about the von Trapps? Yes, I will.

This wonderful historical fiction jumps back and forth through different time lines, which I wasn't sure (in a good way) how it was going to end or tie in together. The more I read the more I wanted to savor every page. I loved the ending and how it brought everything together.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this advanced copy.

Whenever I think of The Sound of Music I can picture Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp. While the play and the movie are based on her life, there is so much more to tell. With the memory of WWII still fresh, the story pictures their escape over the Alps after the Salzburg festival, Maria, however, arrives to set the story straight. Oscar Hammerstein filled the production with memorable music but as rehearsals are about to start Maria arrives at the theater to protest the production and demand changes. Hammerstein sends Fran, one of his assistants, to talk to her and take notes. Meetings over the following week have Fran spellbound as Maria tells her story. She was sent by the abbey, where she was preparing to take her vows, to teach one of the von Trapp children for ten months. From a young orphan to a baroness, she was unprepared for what life had in store for her, but she was a survivor. The von Trapp family was raised with a love of music. Maria’s father was also a musician who shared his music with her before his death. Sharing her songs with the children brought them close together. When the Germans invaded Austria and the Baron was called to serve, they knew it was time to leave. Under the pretense of a concert in Italy they rode the final train into Italy before the borders were closed and made their way to New York.

There is so much to love about this book. Michelle Moran includes some of the scenes from the play that actually occurred. Maria did make play clothes for the children from her curtains so that they could play outside. She also includes scenes from her childhood as she was beaten by her uncle for disobedience and escaped to the hills that she loved. While Maria objected to her husband’s portrayal she was swayed when Hammerstein wrote Eidelweiss and played the song for her. He was suffering from cancer and it would be the last song he would write. What happened to the von Trapps after their escape from Austria and throughout the following years is a story of love, loss, family and survival. Maria’s story lives on through the classic movie but there was so much more that will bring smiles and tears as you discover the real Maria von Trapp. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine For providing this book.

This novel was incredible, so much so I read it in one day. While I've always enjoyed watching "The Sound of Music," there was so much to learn about the real story and Maria Von Trapp. Learning about her, her struggles, her life as an orphan and novitiate in a convent and her life's serving to God was heart rendering. Even when she married Georg Von Trapp and became the mother of 7 children, she led them to a better existence and life through her devotion to religion and as a person with real faults and demanding personality. Told through the eyes of Oscar Hammerstein's assistant Fran, this character plays an important part in the book, as a conduit between Hammerstein and the real Maria, who isn't happy with the play's script. I felt this was also a tribute to Hammerstein himself, as he died 9 months after the play was a huge success on Broadway. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Maria is a semi-fictional retelling of Maria Von Trapp, the real woman that the Sound of Music was based on. The book is told in 2 timelines, the story of Maria in Austria, which is a little different from the musical in lots of ways but generally the same story. And the story of Fran, in 1959, who works for Hammerstein as he's writing the Broadway musical. Fran has her own problems, but she also meets the real Maria, who wants her to change the musical to make it more like her own life.

As a big Sound of Music fan, I enjoyed the book a lot, even more for Maria having more faults than the play/movie shows. Fran's story was a little less interesting, but her role connecting with Maria's past was powerful.

WOW! Just when I think author Michelle Moran can't make me fall even more in love with a historical heroine, she does it again. Fair warning - I'm a huge fan - her Egyptian series is among my favorite books. But with Maria, Moran does an incredible job of pulling back the curtain on Maria and the von Trapp family, telling the true story that you never knew. While at times I was knocked off my feet - learning just how wrong Rodgers and Hammerstein got it - I truly loved the stories and the truth behind them. I also loved the subplot around Oscar Hammerstein and his legacy. How do you solve a problem like Maria? You write a book like Michelle Moran!

I know that the movie the Sound of Music isn't historically historically accurate nor accurate of Maria's actual life but I still enjoy watching the movie. I mean what's not to love about Captain von Trapp ripping the flag in half and throwing it on the ground. While Maria is historical fiction not non fiction it is a closer account of Maria's life. And reads easier than Maria's own book. I did learn a lot about the von Trapp's than I knew better and it didn't ruin the movie for me. It in many ways helped me to better understand everything around it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

This book made me a fan of Michelle Moran. After finishing, I quickly added her previous works to my TBR list on Goodreads! What an epic story with a new perspective!

Loved this. I really enjoyed everything about this. I loved the story completely. It will stay with me for a long time. I appreciate that the author has very strong voice - one I really enjoy.

Maria von Trapp shows up at the Broadway rehearsals for “The Sound of Music” in 1959. She is disturbed by the deviations of the script from her autobiography and demands a meeting with Oscar Hammerstein.

The novel follows two timelines: the making of the Broadway production and Maria’s reminiscences of her early years in Austria. Along the way, the reader learns how and why artistic decisions are made. For example, the eldest von Trapp child was a boy, not 16-year-old Liesel. We learn about Maria’s childhood -- orphaned and raised in an abusive household until she was sent to the convent – and that Maria and the Captain were married for 10 years before the family fled Austria.

The novel also depicts some of what it takes to bring a show to the stage. Hammerstein became ill, and “Edelweiss” was the last song he would write.

Perfect for fans of the movie. Will make a great holiday gift, particularly for older readers.

Loved this look "behind the scenes" into the true story of Maria Von Trapp. I was not a huge fan of the Sound of Music, but was curious about the true story. I found it even more interesting than the story portrayed in the movie!

As a huge fan or the Sound of Music this book was a must read for me! This books shows the life of Maria von Trapp during the time period before and during the famous movie! This is a must read for any fan!!

This historical fiction focuses on Maria Van Trapp’s life from her time at the Abby, until the Broadway premier of the stage version of The Sound of Music, in 1964. . I believe most fans of the Sound of Music know that parts of that movie are fictional, but this book clarifies that and much more! The story begins in New York City, 1959, as Oscar Hammerstein’s team is wrapping up the preparations for the premier of the Sound of Music. It is discovered that Maria is not happy with the script and demands changes to be made. In order to please her, Hammerstein’s young secretary, Fran is told to meet with Maria and work things out. In doing so, we begin to learn about Maria’s life as a child, later in the Abby and then with Georg and his children. The book continues with the dual timeline, Maria and her life and Fran and the team working on the musical. Moran makes it clear that she wants her readers to see the von Trapp story from Maria’s perspective. Without going into any spoilers, this book was an amazing story. Learning about Maria’s life as a child and how that played a role as an adult was eye opening. This was an easy , quick read. The author’s notes at the end are a must! Michelle Moran explains her research and also gives us an update on the von Trapp children- fascinating information!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for providing this ARC. This review is my own opinion.

I’ve always loved The Sound of Music, so I was excited to dive into Maria and learn more about the real-life woman behind the beloved film. While the book differs from the movie in several ways, I was happy to find that it didn’t take away from my love for the film—it actually enriched it. Michelle Moran beautifully brings Maria’s true story to life, offering more depth and insight into her journey. If you enjoy The Sound of Music, this is a great companion to the movie, and it gives a fuller picture of the inspiring woman at its heart.