Maria by Michelle Moran came to be during COVID. She was sharing her love of the movie with her children. As she is watching the movie she starts to think about who Maria Von Trapp really was.

The research done by this author is incalculable. The music written by Oscar Hammerstein is outstanding. This would be the last show for he which he would write songs. The premise of the Broadway Show was inaccurately created from a German Movie about the Von Trapp family.

When the real Maria Von Trapp hears about this Broadway Show (1950’s) she is furious to say the least. She does not want her family portrayed the way the German movie portrayed them. She is extremely upset about the portrayal of her husband. Captain Von Trapp. She gets her self to Oscar Hammerstein’s offices and demands to speak with Mr. Hammerstein. She is unaware that rehearsals are already underway and that there would be no changing it now.

Mr. Hammerstein wants to appease Maria and offers his valued secretary, Fran, to meet with her so she can tell her story. The secretary over the course of a weeks time makes notes and types down the story of Maria for Oscar Hammerstein.

The story goes back and forth in time from present day(1950’s) when Hammerstein was writing the show alongs with the recollections of Maria during the time when Austria was taken over by the Nazi’s

Truthfully I was like the author and had no knowledge of the Von Trapp family except what I had seen in the film. The story fills the historical fiction genre based on actual facts about the Von Trapp Family. I was interested to learn about Maria’s childhood and how traumatizing it was. I also enjoyed seeing the side of the Captain who adored his children and Maria. The strict disciplinarian we see in the movie couldn’t be farther from the truth. Ten chilrdren sounds like a lot but he adored each and every one.

One added bonus is seeing Ms. Moran’s creation of Oscar Hammerstein. I was and still am a huge fan of his work. I loved getting to see him as an actual character. The other added bonus was the character of Fran. She became the go between for the other characters and was able to stay true to herself.

If you are the slightest Sound of Music fan this book is for you. There are many things that appear on screen that never happened. You will be surprised by many of them.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you are a Sound of music fan. This is my first book by Michelle Moran but I can tell you it won’t be my last. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.

I would like to thank the author, Random House Publishing-Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Imagine how disorienting it would be to hear your own story, so familiar to your mind and heart, told by someone else with misinformation, with characters missing, and with inaccurate historical details. That was the experience of Maria von Trapp, the well-loved heroine of The Sound of Music. Both the Broadway play and the classic movie played fast and loose with the basic facts that comprised her story. Audiences in the 1950s weren’t ready to be entertained by the real danger the von Trapp family faced in Nazi-occupied Austria, and other details were reinvented to streamline the telling.

Michelle Moran has set the record straight, beginning with Maria’s letter of protest written to Oscar Hammerstein, lyricist of the famed Rodgers and Hammerstein theater writing team. With rehearsals already underway and his health failing, Hammerstein was unable to meet with Maria, so Maria poured out her life story to his secretary, Fran.

Fran is a faithful fictional sounding board for Maria, and Moran has done a delightful job of weaving Maria’s compelling story with details around the production of the musical, Fran’s personal life, and Hammerstein’s staff. In fact, I don’t remember the last time I was so intrigued by the opening chapters of a novel as I puzzled over who Fran and Jack, Eva and Peter were, and what they had to do with The Sound of Music. Such a clever beginning!

As with the story of any life, there are cautionary tales embedded in the narrative arc. While the family’s music saved their lives, it also became a point of contention and a reason to divide. The untold story of Maria von Trapp’s life may have been too unwieldy for Julie Andrews or Mary Martin to sing about, but, nevertheless, the real Maria’s story deserves to be told, and Maria is a fresh view that deepens an already beloved tale.

4.5⭐

When I chose to read Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran, I went in well-prepared and not much of what is shared about the true story that inspired the musical/movie came as a surprise. However, I did enjoy this novel and appreciate the research that went into the crafting of this story.

The novel primarily revolves around the making of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 1959 Broadway musical and Maria von Trapp’s objections to the creative liberties taken in telling her story. The narrative is presented in dual timelines. The 1959 timeline is, for the most part, shared from the perspective of Fran, Oscar Hammerstein’s secretary, who is tasked with meeting Maria, who after writing a scathing letter voicing her objections, comes to New York to confront the Mr. Hammerstein and demand revisions in the script. The 1926 timeline, which also includes flashbacks from Maria’s earlier years, is shared from Maria's first-person POV.

Maria shares her story with Fran and also shares how the previous movie based on her 1949 memoir The Story of the Trapp Family Singers (the 1956 German movie Die Trapp-Familie) and the misrepresentation of facts have fractured her bond with her family. She also shares her experiences and the challenges the family faced in the initial years after arriving in the United States. As the narrative progresses, we get to know more about Maria, the Trapp children and Georg, and whether she was ultimately able to convince Mr. Hammerstein to incorporate any of the revisions she requested.

Though the writing might feel a tad disjointed due to the jumping timelines and perspectives, the author eventually brings all the threads of the story together in an incredibly moving ending.

Do read the beautifully-penned Author’s Note where she discusses her inspiration for this novel, the source material she has referenced and the creative liberties she has taken while crafting this story. Maria’s story is one of courage, resilience, love, family, loss and hope and I commend the author for her efforts to bring the true story that inspired the musical and later the movie to a wider audience. The scope of the novel is limited to the making of the musical, but in her note, the author provides a brief glimpse into how the family fared in the years after and I especially appreciated the updates on the Trapp children.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would not hesitate to recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction inspired by true events.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I have always been a fan of the Sound of Music, but I am also a person who loves to understand the history of the people involved in movies/stories like the Sound of Music, so when I was given the opportunity to read MARIA, I jumped at it.

I knew that the story depicted in the movie was different than the story of the family in real life, but I had never taken the time to really dive into what that story was. I'm grateful that I have now read MARIA and I was able to learn how different the two truly were. How different Maria and the Captain truly were from what was portrayed. I appreciated how this novel went back and forth through the time periods giving us a glimpse at what was happening and how things actually played out. It has given me a new hunger to check out the biographies of Maria Von Trapp now as well. I'm even more curious about those now too.

This is one of my favorite books I've read this year!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher**

I have long been a fan of Michelle Moran and was so excited to see she had a new book being released! I didn't want this book to end. It made me nostalgic for my love of the von Trapp family! I learned so much more than I had previously known about them through the author's research and the way she wrote this book. I loved it so much! I loved the setting and the characters (of course they were based on real people). Such a unique and beautiful story.

I loved learning more about what was real verses what was fictionalized and changed for the musical. Learning a little more about Maria and her background as well as what was more accurate for her life with the von Trapp family. Such a beautiful story and very inspiring!

If you are a historical fiction fan then I highly recommend you pick this up. And if you're both a historical fiction fan and a fan of The Sound of Music, then I doubly recommend you pick this one up! It is definitely going to need a spot on my shelf reserved for Michelle Moran's books! I love them lots! If you haven't read her books then I highly recommend them! My favorite is Cleopatra's Daughter, but they're all wonderful!

Content: Clean. Some moments of peril but nothing graphic. Some talk about emotional and physical abuse but not in great detail, done in flashback scenes.

I received a copy from the publisher, Random House Publishing Group, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

I have always loved "The Sound of Music," so I was very interested in learning more about the Von Trapp family, particularly as I heard that this showcases items that are not in the movie. I was actually quite shocked to learn just how different things were. Even though this book is fiction, It does still contain some truths. It was interesting, in this book, to learn the reasons as to why the production team did certain things. And it was interesting to learn that the swastika originally had different meanings than what it is commonly known for today. This book does have quite a bit of detail about Fran's personal story. While it was not uninteresting, it had little to do with the story overall. I enjoyed the addition of Oscar Hammerstein, as I have never read a lot about him. I wish this story had told a bit more about the family's life once they arrived in the United States. I have since learned that there are nonfiction books about Maria's life, and I'm interested in checking them out. I was so glad that there was an author's note included! I would definitely recommend this to those who love historical fiction, particularly fans of "The Sound of Music."

I grew up watching the sound of music with my family and it was one of my sisters favorite movies when we were a kid. I always wondered if it was based on a true story and if the movie had all the facts right so when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it and it did not disappoint. I love the stories so much and I loved the way that they told her story.

Having loved the movie, The Sound of Music, I was so excited at the opportunity to read Maria. What a wonderful historical fiction book that gives us a glimpse into the true story of Maria and the von Trapp family. I enjoyed getting to learn about Maria’s background and her early years and how she found the desire to become a nun. Her love of nature and children was so touching. Her delightful spirit is sprinkled throughout the pages as she loves to skip steps, climb roofs, and do all kinds of things that do get her in trouble with Mother Superior at the convent. Yet she was also a strong woman who went after what she wanted out of life. Through all of the struggles she faced from a young age through adulthood, you will enjoy the journey with Maria and the family she makes with the von Trapps. Just remember that things are not as they seem!

As a plus, I also enjoyed getting to see behind the scenes of the Rogers and Hammerstein relationship and the creation of the original musical for Broadway. Traveling along with Fran as she navigates the delicate task of meeting with Maria and listening to the real story of her life will have you enthralled and flipping through the pages to see what the next adventure will bring and how the Broadway production and movie are accepted by Maria.

This is definitely a book to put on your-to-be-read list. I could not put it down and found myself humming along some of the songs from the movie as I absorbed every word. Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

"Maria" is a notable and insightful novel that explores the real-life story of a cherished cultural figure. Moran's thorough research and empathetic storytelling distinguish this work as a significant piece of historical fiction. The novel serves both to entertain and to educate, providing a deeper understanding of Maria von Trapp's legacy.

This book is highly recommended for enthusiasts of historical fiction and those interested in the true story behind "The Sound of Music." Moran's depiction of Maria von Trapp is both respectful and enlightening, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to comprehend the woman behind the legend.

Great storytelling by Michelle Moran. Loved the story line and the parts about Oscar Hammerstein and his life. Discovered while reading the book that his home was in Bucks County, PA. This was a much more modern story than many of Moran's books. Well done.

You don't have to be a massive fan of The Sound of Music to appreciate this book. If you are an avid fan, I think your experience will still be good. This interesting take shows Maria in a more genuine manner. By all accounts, she was not the sunny, madly in love, sweet mother that we see in the movie. The truth is that Georg, the father, was more humorous and loving. That said, this book takes the reader into Maria's youth, pre convent, and after they came to America. I also loved blending in Oscar Hammerstein, with a side story, that was also interesting. I recommend this book. You'll find it unique and well written.
Thank you to Random House Publishing/Ballantine and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I grew up watching The Sound of Music. I had the soundtrack on cassette (yes, cassette) and knew exactly how much to fast forward to get to my favorite songs. For the longest time I had no idea it was loosely based on a real family.

Maria is a work of historical fiction. The references to Maria’s life were outlined in her book which The Sound of Music is roughly based on.

Before I started reading I was concerned that this was going to be more of an autobiography and I would get bored. This is not the case. This is the story of Maria fighting to have the musical follow more along what really happened in her life. It is written in a way that is engaging for the reader, going between Maira telling her story in the past then coming to the 50s which is present day in the book, made it very easy to stay engaged.

This one definitely took me by surprise in a good way and even if you have never seen The Sound of Music I’d still recommend.

I learned a lot more about Maria von Trapp and The Sound of Music from this reading this book. It was interesting to read about the changes in the musical by Hammerstein from some of the actual real life events and Maria’s reactions to the differences. Thank you Dell publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

I’ve loved The Sound of Music for years and I’ve read Maria von Trapp’s autobiography so I was super interested in this book. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. A lot of the book was information that I already knew about, but didn’t match what was written in von Trapp’s autobiography or relayed by other sources. I don’t know if they were supposed to be plot devices or “correcting” prior records? I also wasn’t really interested in the side characters. Those storylines didn’t add anything in my opinion. The single Oscar Hammerstein chapter was kind of weird, that easily could have belonged to Fran to avoid another point of view. It was a quick read, but if you want to learn more about the von Trapps, just read their books and learn firsthand.

Confession, I have never seen The Sound of Music.

While still fiction, this historical fiction book is faithful to the facts about Maria von Trapp. This is a great novel for those who are fans of the film adaptation. This book provides some realistic clarity behind the infamous family, and the fallout of the broadway play and movie.

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell

Maria by Michelle Moran is the tale of Maria Von Trapp, of the Sound of Music. Based on her life, the story tells of how she wanted them to change the musical so that it more accurately reflected her life. I won't lie....I have had a hard time finding stories that keep my interest lately. I almost gave up on this one, but told myself to stick it out and I am glad that I did. I don't blame the book for my lack of interest, just my own headspace. However, this turned out to be quite a lovely story. I enjoyed learning about the family and learning more about Hammerstein, who wrote the musical. Now I want to go and watch The Sound of Music! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

In 1959, Fran Connelly, assistant to the famed Oscar Hammerstein watches as Rodger and Hammerstein's latest musical, The Sound of Music, comes to life. But when the real Maria von Trapp takes issue with the changes made to her family's story, Fran is sent to find out why.

As Fran begins to spend time with Maria, she discovers a complicated woman and a heartbreaking and beautiful story.

My Thoughts on Maria

The Sound of Music is one of my all-time favorite musicals so I was so excited to read this book.

Maria is told from both the perspectives of Fran in the 1950's and Maria herself from the 1910's through the 1930's. Moran did an excellent job of handling both of these timelines in a seamless and engaging way.

I enjoyed getting to see how Maria became the woman we all love. Moran shows us that Maria was more than a singing governess. She had flaws and her life was often difficult, but she persevered through it.

Fran, while not a real person, was actually my favorite character in this book. I loved her personality and her spirit throughout the story. She had so much depth that she felt realistic.

There were mentions of abuse and some short non-graphic scenes involving it. There were also mentions of mental illness. In one scene Maria and the Captain "undress" and kiss, but nothing further happens. (Which was completely unnecessary, and I was not a fan of that part. )

Overall, this book is one to read if you love The Sound of Music.

Final Thoughts and Rating

The central theme of Maria is hope. Life may not always have a rose-colored sheen, but we can learn from Maria to follow whatever we are called to do.

Rating: 4 out 5 stars

This brought back so many good memories of time spent with my family watching and rewatching this movie. Singing these songs and acting out parts of the movie.

I loved the exploration of the real Maria Von Trapp. There were so many aspects that caught me off guard. I didn’t know about what was going on with Hammerstein during the process of preparing for the show and I had no idea about the Von Trapp family’s life after their escape from Austria. There were some really sad revelations toward the end of the book.

Definitely recommend this one. If you are like me - you will be googling the real Maria to find out what she really looked like. I loved finding videos of her yodeling and pictures of her with Julie Andrews.

I grew up loving the Sound of Music movie and it is still my favorite. I visited the lodge in Vermont many years ago. I loved this book where we get to hear more truths of Maria and the Von Trapps lives. It was interesting to see the differences portrayed in the play vs how things really played out and to read about how they made it to America and future children. This made me want to read her autobiography. A very easy to read book with wonderful characterization.

The Sound of Music is one of my all time favorite musicals! I’ve always wanted to know more about Maria von Trapp’s story because I’d heard that the musical wasn’t exactly true to life, so when I saw Maria on NetGalley, I had to read it. It was fabulous! I loved the way the author shed a whole new light on Maria and made her a more human, complicated person who was easy to sympathize with, flaws and all.

I loved the dual time line premise. It’s set in the 1950’s when Oscar Hammerstein was writing the lyrics for the musical. Much to his chagrin, Maria von Trapp’s upset with the way her husband is portrayed and how the story deviates from her life. She demands a meeting with the illustrious lyricist, but Mr. Hammerstein sends his secretary Fran instead to talk with her, smooth ruffled feathers, and find out what her objections are as they furiously prepare for the musical’s debut.

Over the course of several meetings, Fran learns Maria’s true story from the beginning. This is where the story begins to be told from the past as Maria recounts her troubled childhood including the loss of both parents at a young age, and an abusive uncle. It brought new meaning to the lyrics “perhaps I had a wicked childhood, perhaps I had a miserable youth.” Just like in the musical Maria becomes a bit of a handful to the nuns, but just when she finally feels like she’s found a home, she’s asked to be a tutor for Captain von Trapp’s children. I was absolutely fascinated as Maria’s story unfolds and found new, and interesting aspects that were so completely different from the musical. For instance, Maria wasn’t in love with the Captain at first. She loved the children, & married him for their sakes. Her love for him came later. And, he was supposed to marry a Princess!

Perhaps one of the most chilling aspects was why they left Austria. They didn’t trek over a mountain like the musical suggests, but their escape was just as dramatic. I also loved learning how they became popular in America. One of the other things I found fascinating was that the Captain was the kind one and Maria was much more strict and demanding. Thus, the reason she was upset by how the Captain was portrayed. Her demands that the children perform night after night definitely took its toll and I was surprised at the reactions of some of her children who numbered ten by the time they came to America.

Along with Maria’s story is the fictional character Fran’s struggle to become a writer in the 1950’s amidst jealousies. I also loved Oscar Hammerstein’s cameos in the book and the poignant ending that nearly had me in tears. His final song has even more of a special place in my heart that I’ll treasure because of this book.

While this is a fictional portrayal, the author mentions in her afterword how she researched and painstakingly tried to accurately portray Maria’s life. It definitely gave me a new appreciation for the difficulties she went through and a desire to know even more. I’m looking forward to watching the musical again with a more nuanced view.

Highly recommend to historical fiction and Sound of Music fans! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.