“My brothers and sisters won’t be happy to see our father portrayed as a humorless disciplinarian while my mother comes across as a saint.” Lorli von Trapp

Say what?!? I have watched and adored The Sound of Music MANY times since its 1965 theatrical release and I’ve believed every tale and every note. This book sets on end everything I thought I knew.
The story is told in three timelines. Maria’s childhood, raised in an abusive home in the 1920s, her marriage and escape from Nazi agression in the 1930s and her displeasure with Oscar Hammerstein in the 1950s.
We learn through the telling that Maria was, in truth, an obsessive and frequently abusive mother who didn’t exactly fall head over heels for the captain as we believed! But it was her dogged adherence to the family’s grueling performance schedule that facilitated their escape from Austria.
Maria’s desire to allow the world to know the true story leads her to butt heads with Hammerstein prior to the opening of The Sound of Music on Broadway. Hammerstein delegates the task of smoothing Maria’s ruffled feathers to Fran, a young assistant. An interesting friendship grows between the two women, insuring the success of “one of my favorite things”!
I recommend this book to all fans of The Sound of Music and the Trapp Family Singers. Eye opening, indeed!

My thanks to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group and the author in exchange for my honest review.

Full discloser: my favorite movie has been and will always be the Sound of Music, even though I knew that it was not very similar to the real life of Maria. But Maria by Michelle Moran beautifully blended the real story together with the opening of the play. I loved reading Maria and felt Moran did a wonderful job bring her and Georg and the children to life. I felt like I was with them in Austria and Maria's childhood background gave alot of understanding to her character flaws. While I would have loved a bit more deep dive into the relationship between Georg and Maria and how they functioned as a couple, I understand the focus was more on Maria's character and her character and development. And there were alot of years to cover in the book, so a bit felt rushed. I could have taken a whole series of books on Maria's life. I would have read them all!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Random House for the ARC.

Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran is a very highly recommended real story of Maria von Trapp's life and how it contrasted with the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music. Most people know the story according to the musical, however that doesn't portray the true, real life events.

In the 1950s, Oscar Hammerstein is writing the lyrics to a new Broadway musical based on the life of Maria von Trapp. When Maria saw the script supposedly based on her life, she headed to talk to Hammerstein to set the record straight. Maria ends up meeting with his secretary, Fran, who meets with Maria several times to hear her real life story. Fran dutifully writes down all of Maria's concerns to give to Hammerstein and the two strike up an unlikely friendship.

Nostalgia runs high in Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp. Some readers interested in this novel will already be acquainted with some of the true events in Maria's life. Moran does an excellent job telling the real story which also serves to show why the choices were made to write the play as it was.

The narrative alternates between Maria recounting her life story to Fran and Fran's life leading up to the Broadway opening of the play. Maria wasn't as perfect as depicted in the play and Georg wasn't quite as stern in real life. The complete, true story is much more compelling, complicated, and difficult than the movie version. The movie does contain some of the real events in their lives.

After she saw the play, Maria thoughtfully commented that it wasn't exactly their life story, "But our love for God and family was there, and this is what has always been most important." As Moran hoped, this novel truly is like a plate of warm, sweet cookies baked by your grandmother and it will renew any obsession you have with The Sound of Music. Thanks to Random House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

More heartwarming than the musical due to its grounding in truth, I am surprised that no one has done this sooner! Maybe the time that has elapsed since Maria wrote the memoir on which this is based now allows the novelization of her story? Regardless, I very much enjoyed this factionalized biography of Maria von Trapp, of Sound of Music fame. As can be expected, the story is so much more complicated than in the musical. It is full of real people making real decisions in real time, with serious repercussions that carry on for decades. The structure of the story is a little distracting, but overall I enjoyed it immensely and finished it in two days. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Many of the iconic songs of Oscar Hammerstein’s award-winning Broadway play and movie are ingrained in our musical memory; “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Every Mountain.” When The Sound of Music is mentioned images flash of Julie Andrews twirling amidst the Alps and the Captain realizing those are his children hanging from tree branches- in new play clothes made from curtains! Why is the movie SO different from Maria’s real story? In 1959, with World War II fresh in viewers’ memories Rogers and Hammerstein decided to adapt Maria’s harrowing true story to a more palatable version for audiences.
Moran’s novel is based on the autobiography of Maria Von Trapp and the vehicle for moving from the script to Maria’s account is through Hammerstein’s secretary, Fran. When asked her opinion of the script Fran replies, “It’s simple and sweet and impossible not to like. Makes you wonder how much of it is actually true. A woman who finds herself married to a Baron after almost marrying herself to God?” That’s Moran’s perfect segue!
Rehearsals have begun and Maria shows up at Hammerstein’s busy office unannounced. Fran’s assignment is to assuage Maria’s anger over the shocking differences between the script and her real story. Fran and Maria’s trusting friendship is the endearing element that leads to their meetings on park benches near St. Patrick’s Cathedral. These conversations along with Moran’s descriptions of New Yorkers, famous streets and buildings add to the atmospheric setting of NYC.
Discovering Maria Von Trapp’s true story as compared to the movie plot is what makes every page of this novel so compelling. Moran’s deep research reveals Maria’s childhood traumas, her education, and later her devotion to the Von Trapp children. Maria’s trust in God and her family bolstered her courage to leave the country she loved for an uncertain future in America.
Maria reminds Hammerstein that it’s not the agents, critics or managers that buy tickets; only the people do. Get your “ticket” to Maria by Michelle Moran to know the real Maria Von Trapp and the story behind The Sound of Music.

I have been a fan of "The Sound of Music" since I was a little girl.. I think I have the whole movie memorized at this point, so I was a little worried that this book might ruin the movie, it did not. I really liked this book. Getting to hear from Maria and seeing some of how the Broadway show came to be. This was a perfect mix of historical fiction and reality. The author did her research and even gave an author's note at the end about what was historically accurate and what was the author's. I liked Fran and how well she got Maria to open up to her about what was wrong with the play. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the EARC of this book. I was quite surprised with this story which came from research by the author. Imagine you are Maria Von Trapp and you know that Oscar Hammerstein is writing a musical based on an inaccurate German movie.
Hammerstein's secretary, a budding novelist, meets Maria and Maria explains her life and her problems with the play. It is an excellent device, as we have a fictional character who is a good character in her own right, typing the story of Maria for Hammerstein.
The true story emerges as Hammerstein is very ill and he writes his very last song, Edelweiss, after reading her story. This is an excellent book as we see the true story against the background of the play rehearsals and learn that Mary Martin and her husband were the forces that brought Hammerstein and Rodgers to write the play and music.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you are a Sound of music fan.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this wonderful book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

We all know the story of Maria von Trapp and the musical Trapp Family Singers don't we? Or do we? We know the hit Rodgers and Hammerstein stage production of The Sound of Music. And we know the movie starring Julie Andrews as Maria, but how much of that story is real? Well, according to this well-researched biographical novel, not as much as we think.

The setting is 1959 and Richard Halliday, husband of Broadway star Mary Martin, has read a biography of Maria von Trapp and seen a German film based on that biography. Now he wants Rodgers and Hammerstein to turn it into a Broadway production, which will star his wife as Maria. Rehearsals are already underway when Oscar Hammerstein hears that Maria is not happy with the story that is being told, because it is not the real story. She wants re-writes and edits and threatens to cause a publicity nightmare if she is not accommodated. So Hammerstein assigns an assistant from his office to meet with her and find out the truth of the story.

This is the story Maria tells Fran Connelly during several meetings, and it is a good one, maybe even better than the "well-known" story, but not much gets changed in the production, partly because Richard Rodgers had written the story and Hammerstein was writing the music. But also because it was only 14 years after World War II and no one needed or wanted to tell the story of the danger the family had been in until they fled Austria. Needless to say, it was NOT as it was told in the musical. But Hammerstein was looking for one last song to complete the show and after hearing Maria's story, he wrote Eidelweiss, probably one of his best songs, and, sadly, his last one.

An entertaining look inside the making of a great musical, one we all know and love.

I truly wish that I could give this so many more stars. I adore everything that Moran puts out into the universe, but this one I began with a bit of hesitancy. I grew up loving The Sound of Music and all things Rogers and Hammerstein; how would that go along with this book? What an amazing book to be shocked with. Not only did I learn that so many things were different from the movie but also Maria is human!! That’s right…and if learning that Maria von Trapp is a human doesn’t make you feel better about life, nothing will.

I truly loved the relationship between Fran and Maria in this book. And Oscar Hammerstein was a gem. I genuinely got a bit misty eyed when he spoke/wrote “edelweiss.”

Michelle Moran is always an automatic preorder and purchase for me. But this one has really just stuck with me. Bravo on this amazing novel with so much research and love thrown into the pages!

If you love the Sound of Music, you will love this book. It's the fictional story of Maria Von Trapp and her life and the making of the Broadway play. I had to note that difference because I didn't realize that Broadway came before the movie. It's short and very fast paced and dives right into Maria's story. I was hooked right away and binged in bits and pieces through a day.

Moran writes historical fiction that I crave. I loved her Egyptian books so much and was very excited to get a new installment from her.

A wonderful, insightful book! Now we know the real story of Maria! The Sound of Music has always been one of my favorites, and I never considered that it wasn't true to life.
So enjoyable for any history buff or lover the Von Trappe family.

Nec aspera terrent: Frightened by No Difficulties

It's time to know the real Maria and her story.
1959: The Sound of Music is about to start on Broadway and Maria is not pleased about the script. Oscar Hammerstein's assistant, Fran, has been assigned to hear her out and keep her quiet. How much does Fran really know about Maria and the journey of the vonTrapps?

This was eye-opening and heartwrenching. I love the movie, the music, and the love story. Now, I'm thankful to have better insight into Maria's childhood and the family's flight from Hitler's Austria. Well done.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review back in April. The cover caught my eye immediately as it suggests the opening of the iconic movie, The Sound of Music. But then I put off reading it for awhile because that movie was a childhood favorite and I began to fear that this book would somehow "taint" the movie for me. I need not have feared. Moran pulled me into the story from the very first page in an unexpected scene - a party in the Hamptons's where Oscar Hammerstein is holding forth on the piano, and several of his assistants in attendance are chatting about various people in attendance. These assistants are working with him as The Sound of Music is about to open on broadway - rehearsals have begun even if not every song has been written yet. This is the entry point to tell the "real story" of Maria von Trapp and correct some of the misconceptions of the broadway musical and thus, the movie. The writing was engaging, entertaining, and educational all at once, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 5 stars for a book that provided some much need down time with a little nostalgia mixed in.

MARIA
BY: MICHELLE MORAN

This is a very challenging review to write about, but I will do my best to make it coherent. I've read my ARC called, Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp, twice because of a couple of reasons. I fell in love with this impressive, and brand new happy discovery to me, Author whose name is Michelle Moran. She is an incredible, gifted Author of this historical novel named, Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp, whose ability to captivate my attention with her writing prowess in storytelling, made it impossible for me to stop reading. She was able to make this an outstanding reading experience that surpassed my expectations to the highest extent possible. Her Author's Note, at the end, is not to be missed, and it supplies additional factual information that isn't included in the narrative, but is super interesting done through her impeccable research that enhanced this even more. This Author, Michelle Moran, is an internationally bestselling author of eight historical novels, which because I found her writing style so compelling, I'm going to read her prior work which I noticed in the titles who the subjects she wrote about are, and I'm definitely considering them to be a treat, and super enjoyable. Right after I finish writing this review, I'm planning on buying every single one of Michelle Moran's historical novels that is available, that's how excited I am about recommending this one highly to both men and women. I always read the Author's Acknowledgement section, and coincidentally in it turns out that she thanked one of my top favorite Historical fiction, Author, Allison Pataki, for putting her in touch with someone who had met Maria, while staying in the Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont. I have read every single published book that Allison Pataki, has written, and I can't wait until her next one is available. I can guarantee you that I'll be reading any future work of this fantastic author of, Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp, who brought not only the story of Maria to be fully fleshed out as a three dimensional character, but also her husband whose name is Captain Georg von Trapp, and, all of their children to stunning characterizations, enough to differentiate through descriptions for me to visualize the entire family full to life as if I met them. .

Where I fell down the rabbit hole of confusion was when I reached the ending and I read the helpful Book Club Guide Discussion Questions, which I'm always grateful and appreciate it when given this valuable resource as is included at the novel's end. I got hung up on the first question which sent me on a mission to carefully reread this ARC for a second time and, also watching again the original movie and musical of 'The Sound of Music.' I watched the version I saw as a young child, and the original one that starred, Julie Andrews, who was cast as the character acting in the film as the role of Maria. I wasn't born yet, to go to the preceding Broadway play written by the theater writing team of Composer, Richard Rodgers, and, Lyricist-Dramatist, Oscar Hammerstein II, who together created a series of innovative and influential American musicals. Their musical theater writing partnership has been called the greatest of the Twentieth century. What is a common question of most lovers of the genre of historical fiction is how much is the novel factual and what parts were fictional? In the Author's Note, Michelle Moran clears some of that up nicely with more gems that are illuminating and made this historical novel so memorable.

It begins in 1959, where Oscar Hammerstein is writing the lyrics to a new musical for a Broadway Play and it has reached the phase of rehearsals at a theater in New York City. His assistants and secretary Fran think this is the best work he's written. They all are discussing what a masterfully brilliant written creation he has accomplished, although he hasn't finished all of the lyrics, yet. He definitely has been arriving to work later and he seems to be taking longer to complete this stunning work. The consensus among his assistants and his secretary thinks that this Broadway Play and musical is even better than both previous successful musicals he had written 'The King and I,' and 'Showboat.' It is based on Maria von Trapp and family's lives except the script has deviated from presenting their factual story containing errors in its portrayal which doesn't reflect their lives. He hasn't yet chosen the title, but it will eventually be called, 'The Sound of Music.'

The producer calls about some commotion going on at the theater by Maria von Trapp, which he wants Oscar Hammerstein to deal with. Maria has learned that the Broadway Play and Musical that's supposed to be based on her and her family is full of egregious errors and since Hammerstein is busy he has sent his secretary named Fran. Fran is an English literature major who is also an aspiring writer. Hammerstein has sent Fran to listen to Maria's life story with a notepad to write it down and she will give her notes to him. Maria hopes that by meeting with Fran there will be corrections made to the script. Fran reads both the script and Maria's autobiography and over the course of the two of them meeting and listening to Maria telling her life story she understands the reasons why Maria wants the script changed. Maria's goal is for the Broadway Play and Musical to reflect both her and her family presented to the public depicting their lives as facts that are accurate. Fran has concerns that even though Maria sold her story to the producer giving up her rights in the sale, Maria could go to the Press and cause the Broadway Play and Musical bad publicity. Fran tells Maria that at this stage it's too late to change the script, but she's determined that Hammerstein read her detailed notes.
These chapters are interspersed throughout the entire novel regarding Fran and Maria's meetings are short and a minor part of the main narrative.

Following immediately after the events that take place in 1959, regarding the preparation of the Broadway Play and musical the majority of the narrative focus reverts back in time beginning with Maria's life at roughly age eight or nine years old taking place in Salzberg, Austria in a rural area nearby. Maria's mother died when she was two years old and although her Great Aunt and her Aunt show Maria kindness and shower her with love she has a hard life where the family is poor. Maria's Uncle is the source of being on the receiving end of her Uncle's cruel treatment of her for nothing that she does causes it. It appears that he is angry that Maria lives with them seeing her as a burden. She tries to avoid him by hiding in the basement. Her father who she barely knows shows up one day offering to teach Maria to play a musical instrument which she has to travel to his home once a week. At first Maria doesn't want to go but she discovers the urban area to be in a wealthier environment that is evident that he lives in a upper class apartment that she is filled with awe and wonder marveling at the beautiful room with a wide assortment of musical instruments. He gives her lessons in his home teaching her how to play the guitar. They sing and he tells her she has a beautiful voice. In another room when she first arrives he allows her time to spend a few minutes in another room where she has never seen so many different kinds of exotic birds. Her father is all business and he quickly escorts her back to her music lessons. One day after their lessons are finished she asks him if she can spend the night and he refuses telling her that there's nowhere in his home for a girl to stay. Shortly after she is told that her father died by her Great Aunt and her Great Aunt's daughter which is Maria's Aunt. Now she is an orphan I assume that her isolation and the loss of both parents, she developed a life long fear of abandonment since she feels that everybody leaves her.

Here's the quote from the first question of the Book Club Discussion Guide that confused me: 1. "What is the most shocking difference between Maria von Trapp's REAL LIFE AND HER LIFE AS IT'S PORTRAYED IN THE MOVIE?" When I read that question and please excuse my capital letters, they aren't me yelling or angry. The question had me before my second reading of the ARC, thinking that the whole historical novel was based in fact. I no longer think that could ever be a remote possibility, but I'm assuming, as much as possible of what is written about in the historical novel was true. That's not to be taken out of context My answer to the question and I won't give specifics since it would spoil it for the reader. And I am being repetitive here but, if you enjoyed the original movie and musical of, 'The Sound of Music', you not only want to read this, you need to read this book. My answer is that in the movie as much as I still love it, there are a large amount of differences between this historical masterpiece and the movie. I'm so grateful to have had the privilege of having been granted an ARC of this masterly told tale. The pure pleasure of discovering a new Author, whose efforts at researching to make this as authentic as possible, rendered a beautiful story that shines as sparkling bright as the golden yellow sunshine. This one deserves all of the stars and certainly more than five!

Publication Date: July 30, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, The Terrifically Talented, Michelle Moran and the always gracious, Random House Publishing Group--Ballantine/Dell for generously providing me with my wonderful ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#Maria #MichelleMoran #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantineDell #NetGalley

Fascinating. This is not the Maria von Trapp we all watched in the Sound of Music but a more realistic, complex real human. Maria's story was much more complicated than the movie portrayed and she wasn't the nicest person. Much of this is about the making of the movie-about the negotiations with Rodgers and Hammerstein and how things were changed to fit the script. It's a cautionary tale about what happens when your life becomes a movie. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling makes this a very good read.

The real story of the Von Trapp family. Maria is not as nice as she is portrayed in the movie. The Captain is not as stern. Overall an interesting story of a family in exile.

I love The Sound of Music!! It’s the first musical I ever saw and probably why I like musicals to this day.
I also love this author and was excited to have the opportunity to read an early copy.
I truly enjoyed this book and it was interesting to see the differences. I have to say I like how the characters were portrayed in the movie over how they were in real life. It’s a good book and just perfect for any Sound of Music fan

This is a wonderful book that fills in the true story of the much loved “The Sound of Music”. It has long been a favorite of mine and I confess that I watch it every time it is on. I love the music, the plot and the wonderful actors and actresses. I never knew that it was possible that the story was not exactly as portrayed by the play or Hollywood. This is an in-depth look at the real story as it happened. Maria Trapp was not at all happy with Oscar Hammerstein’s telling of the story. In this novel you get to know her as a real person. I am still hooked. This will be a book you will want to read and I highly recommend it to all readers. Book clubs will love it. It is a quick read as you look forward to having time to get back to the story. Read it, enjoy it and then go watch the movie again. This is sure to be a best seller!

I wish to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishers - Dell for allowing me to read a copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a delightful historical novel about Maria von Trapp as Rodgers and Hammerstein were preparing to debut The Sound of Music on Broadway. If you've read her autobiography, you know the musical bears little resemblance to their actual story. This book corrects many of those differences by using them as talking points as Maria asks for changes to be made to the script.

I enjoyed this book, and I would encourage fans of the musical to give it a read.

Family friendly.

Believing the script for “The Sound of Music” misrepresents her life, Maria von Trapp goes to confront playwright Oscar Hammerstein. She forms an unexpected friendship with his secretary, Fran, and recounts her true story, revealing the discrepancies between her life and the musical’s narrative.

This book is so fun! Fans of “The Sound of Music” will love it. The story is familiar but more detailed, complex, and nuanced than the musical.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.