4.5⭐️s rounded up. Such a fascinating story behind the scenes of the real Von Trapps from the Sound of Music. I loved learning about Maria and her history, what was different from the movie, and what was the same. The Sound of Music is such an iconic movie, I loved it as a kid, my kids enjoy it, and I don’t know many people who don’t know of it at the very least.

I thought the storyline alternating between Maria and Fran was excellent, and well written. The behind the scenes of Rodger’s and Hammerstein was also fun. It was hard to put down and I was fully invested in what was going on and what was going to happen next. The character of Maria was so identifiable, you could see how she grew, both in good and bad ways with her circumstances, and the family dynamic was also well told.

The only downside and the reason for a half a star loss was at the end with Fran and her own story, it felt just odd and half-hearted. I just kept trying to figure out what just happened - the rest of the book was just so well fleshed out and threaded from one event to the next and then the bottom just kind of dropped out for Fran’s detail, that it felt stunted and gappy.

All in all however, I really loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

I truly enjoyed this biographical fiction book about Maria Von Trapp.
Maria is upset with how she and the Captain are being portrayed in the broadway show of The Sound of Music.
Fran, Hammerstein’s assistant, meets with the real Maria in New York City to set the record straight and tell her true story of her life with the Captain and his children.

As someone who loves The Sound of Music, I really enjoyed reading more about the story of the Von Trapp family. I highly recommend reading this book!

The hills are alive with the sound of… the real Sound of Music. “Maria” by Michelle Moran gives us a fictionalized version more closely matching the true story of Maria and the Von Trapp family, from her beginnings as a child to years later when Rodgers and Hammerstein are putting together their musical. If you love The Sound of Music, this book is a must read!

So, it shouldn’t have shocked me that the musical version of events wasn’t exactly how things went down. But honestly, I’m a little disappointed that it wasn’t. However, I loved watching Maria fight for a more realistic version of her story to be shown.

I think Moran does a great job piecing together the pieces of Maria’s story that are pivotal for readers to understand. I loved getting a more in depth look at her childhood and seeing her true character contrasted so deeply with Julie Andrew’s character.

This book was a lot of fun to read! Seeing the purpose behind the musical, as well as seeing the true story made for interesting reading, creating a book I didn’t want to put down. In the end, this book got 5 stars from me!

Thanks to Random House Publishing – Ballantine and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review! This book published July 30th- be sure to add it to your TBR!

What you know is not all there is. A compelling story of love, loss, and suffering - and ultimate rescue. This is how it happened and what was retold and lost in the beloved musical The Sound of Music.

If you like to explore what's behind the scenes, you'll enjoy this exploration of real life and drama.

Well written and totally engaging historical novel about the life of Maria Van Trapp of "The Sound of Music" fame. The author uses a fictional assistant to Oscar Hammerstein to meet with Maria Van Trapp who is upset that "The Sound of Music" play starring Mary Martin isn't a factual representation of the Trapp family life. I was enraptured with the story from the first page and read it straight through in one day. It also made me rewatch "The Sound of Music" movie from a different perspective. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Dell for an advanced reader copy.

When Rogers & Hammerstein were working on bringing The Sound of Music to the stage, the real Maria von Trapp read the script and had issues with its accuracy. She requested a meeting with Hammerstein to go over the issues. Trying to placate her, he sent his secretary Fran in his place to meet with Maria and take notes on what she felt should be changed. At first Maria is irritated that Hammerstein won’t meet with her himself, but Fran assured her she will give all her notes to him. After their first meeting barely scratched the surface of what Maria felt should be changed, they decided to continue meeting in the park for the next few days, until Maria felt she had aired all her grievances. We are all familiar with the young postulant Maria, wanting to become a nun, but the real Maria shared with Fran the story of her upbringing, which was hard and lonely. Her mother had died when she was young and her father, unwilling to care for her himself as it would have interfered with his life as a musician, pawned her off on relatives. Wanting to belong, it’s little wonder that she felt peace at the abbey, and that she later fell in love with the von Trapp children. As we learn more of Maria’s story, we realize she is a complex person, and her decisions and personality were shaped by her early years. Fran is concerned about the many changes that would need to be made to the stage production at such a late date, and she’s also concerned because Hammerstein just doesn’t seem well to her. Realizing the best she can do is to hear Maria out, type all the notes, and give to Hammerstein and let him do what he wishes with the truth.

The novel is a fascinating dive into the life of Maria and her family - some of the things I had read about (she was the disciplinarian, not the Captain, and she didn’t love him when they married, but she loved the children but - in her words - “that’s kind of the same thing.” ), but many more things I didn’t know. I’ve always loved The Sound of Music, and still watch it now, but I understand more clearly how the movie (which was based on the stage play) was changed for Hollywood, in order to make it more appealing. Nothing is ever as truthful in film or on the stage as what happens in real life, as nothing can replace our thoughts and emotions about our experiences as much as those of us who have lived it. If you are a Sound of Music fan, you need to pick up this book! Thanks to Netgalley and Dell Imprint of Random House for an ARC of this book; all opinions are my own.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The real story of Maria Von Trapp and the Trapp Family is detailed in this wonderfully written historical fiction novel. I found it fascinating how different the true story was from the both the Broadway play and the Movie.

I also enjoyed the dual timelines and found Fran's(fictionalized)story just as delightful.

An added bonus was peeking into Hammerstein's final days and the composing of the song "Edelweiss" which turned out to be one of the most beloved songs in the musical and mine. I cried in that chapter.

If you are a fan of The Sound of Music, then you just found your next summer read. An easy and enjoyable read.

How could I not request "Maria" to review? My mom has frequently told of taking me to see "The Sound of Music" at the theater when I was two, and how I sat rapt through the entire film. I've toured sites from the film in Europe twice. Heck, the name of my blog is "Girls in White Dresses!" I really enjoy the story of the von Trapps.

The book purports to be a fictional novel about 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"). It opens with Maria von Trapp writing a letter to Oscar Hammerstein, who wrote the music for the film (but first for the play, which preceded the movie). She is upset with changes he made; for instance, making Maria the sympathetic figure and the Captain the harsh one (which she said was opposite to reality) -- changing the ages and genders of the children (in reality, there were two boys and five girls, and the oldest was not the movie's Liesl, but a boy) -- the idea that the family escaped the Nazis by hiking the mountains into Switzerland (not likely since Salzburg is nowhere near the Swiss border). There is a Baroness in the story, but she is an employee living in the house and not the woman the Captain is originally planning to marry -- that is a Princess. Etc.

We also have a series of flashbacks where Maria tells her story, as well as the continuing drama with her now-grown children. There is also a fictional side story with 2 young women and 2 young men, some of whom work for Hammerstein and play romantic musical chairs with the accompanying drama.

I enjoyed tidbits about the movie/play: the producers' original name was "The Singing Heart." This book claims that the pre-nun Maria an atheist, "forced to listen to nonsense about God," but apparently took to the nunnery in an attempt to escape a harsh upbringing. It was sad that Hammerstein died of stomach cancer not long after the play's premiere and prior to the movie coming out. "Edelweiss," according to the book, is the last song he ever wrote. A priest named Father Wasner taught the children music, and accompanied the family to America where he arranged all their pieces.

It was also sad to read that Maria forced the children (the original 7 plus the three she and the Captain had after they married) to perform as singers once they had moved to America, and that this eventually resulted in her estrangement from many of them. I liked this thought of Maria's: "There is no such thing as forever. Someday soon the children will grow up and not need a governess. But I don't say these things, because of course no one wishes to imagine a time when their children have all left." Relatable!

But (and for me it was a huge but), the author states in her note "some of the more unbelievable scenes in this novel ... truly happened." Ummm ... some of them? We really are given no insights into which parts of this novel are true and which are fictional. To many people, it may not really matter. But as a big fan of the movie and the von Trapps, it bothers me to read this story, taking it pretty much as fact, and not really knowing whether or not it is. I felt a little like the real Maria, not liking someone messing with my reality when writing my story :)

So, I'm not sure who would enjoy this book. If you're a Sound of Music fan, it may bother you not knowing what's real in this book and what's not. You might enjoy it more if you weren't a Sound of Music fan -- but if that was the case, would you care enough to read it? Your call.

What a fascinating story! A just for ant Sound of Music fans. Maria answered all the questions I never I knew I had. Loved having Maria tell her story and set the record straight on so many things. I couldn’t put it down. Thank you Netgalley and Dell publishing for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

We all know the story of the Von Trapps and the Sound of Music. This is the fictional story behind the Sound of Music. Ms. Moran paints a very realistic picture of Oscar Hammerstein, both as a successful musical collaborator and as someone sympathetic to those around him. Ms. Moran uses Fran, someone in Hammerstein's office, as a foil to tell the story. She weaves in the true parts of Sound of Music as well as those that were not true.

If you grew up with Julie Andrews, it is a delight to learn the story behind the story. Ms. Moran has a deft hand in writing this wonderful novel. Kudos Ms. Moran!

Maria -A Novel of Maria Von Trapp By Michelle Moran
Pub date-7/30/24

Do you remember The movie or play of the Sound of Music?
What if the story we love and cherish was actually not accurate? What if Maria fought to have the story corrected before the play came out? Michelle Moran explores this possibility in her new novel, Maria

Maria Von Trapp is incensed that Rogers and Hammerstein have taken her story and changed it so drastically. She decides to remedy this by contacting Hammerstein to demand a face to face meeting to discuss her changes. When she arrives, she finds herself meeting with his personal assistant, Fran.

Begrudgingly, Maria realizes she must trust Fran so she shares the horrors of war, the risks the family took and who was really the household member who ruled the roost and kept the Von Trapp children under strict supervision.

The friendship formed between Maria and Fran is lovely as both women come to terms with the likely possibility it is too late to correct the story.

I loved how the book explores the love stories of both for Maria and Fran. It is an excellent portrayal of strength of women in a the man’s world of the late 1950’s.

I loved the peek into Hammerstein final days. This glimpse was enough to demonstrate what an influential lyricist he was and that he truly had a heart for his work.

Order your copy today.

NetGalley and Random House Publishing have provided me with an advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

4.0. I love The Sound of Music and never tire of the story and music so I was thrilled to read the new historical fiction on the life of Maria Von Trapp. The novel shows a very different character than what was portrayed in the musical and movie. She was neither Julie Andrews nor Mary Martin. Maria had a very tough upbringing and was a tough cookie. . The book goes into her life before and after joining the Von Trapp family which I found very interesting . There are certain factual differences in the real story from the story we saw in The Sound of Music, but there are many similarities as well. The novel includes two stories, one on Maria’s life but also another story that focuses on the upcoming production of the musical in the 1950s. I found the latter story a bit distracting and not so relevant though it does provide an interesting perspective on Oscar Hammerstein and the problems the production was having as Maria (and her family) was not so happy with it as in their view it did not accurately portray their lives. On the whole, a good story. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an advance copy in exchange for an honest and candid review

Genre: Historical Fiction/Von Trapp Family singers
Publisher: Random House
Pub. Date: Jul 30, 2024

I don’t believe many haven’t heard of Maria von Trapp or the film “The Sound of Music.” The book has three timelines: In the 1920s during her childhood, in the 1950s in her young womanhood years, and the making of the play in 1959 with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein. According to this novel, Maria says the first part of the play and movie are correct, even though they left out her abusive foster father. As the novel opens, Maria complains to Mr. Hammerstein that he has altered her life into something she has never been. The woman immortalized in “The Sound of Music” was not always lovely. She could be harsh and judgmental toward her stepchildren and her two daughters. It is also mentioned that Georg was a loving father, but not how he was portrayed in the movie. Most shocking of all to my romantic heart is that, unlike the film, Maria never loved Georg von Trapp. She gave up on becoming a nun and married him because she didn’t want to leave the children. I googled “Movie vs. Reality: The Real Story of the Von Trapp Family.” It appears that, as usual, Hollywood took many liberties with the story. If you are curious about them, I recommend this novel. If you prefer to think of Maria as Julie Andrews, I do not.

In the 1950's, Oscar Hammerstein is working in the musical, The Sound of Music and there's a problem...Maria (Von Trapp). She dislikes how her family is being portrayed and wants to talk directly to Hammerstein but what she gets is his assistant, Fran. As Maria shares her story, Fran understands why Maria is upset but there is little she can do.

This novel tells Maria's version of The Sound of Music and it is vastly different from the Julie Andrews version. In truth, Georg, the father, was an incredibly loving man who only stayed away so much over the grief of losing his first wife to scarlet fever. Maria, on the otherhand, ends up being the bad guy who forces her chilren to remain part of the family singing group long after they wish to leave.

There is also Fran's love life to deal with and its not done well. Her storyline feels disjointed and out of place in this novel. If she had more of a hard life growing up and she could have sympathized with Maria more and her storyline would have worked with the larger theme of the novel.

I’ve always been a fan of The Sound of Music, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Maria. This is a fictionalized story of Maria’s displeasure of how her family was portrayed in the play. It shows how the true story is different from the one popularized in the play/film. I loved reading about all the details that were different; the biggest one being that the real Maria was much more feisty than the one in the play/film. I met the real Maria as a child in her cafe at the lodge in Vermont and remember being shocked she was nothing like Julie Andrews!
Highly recommend!

I knew I was going to love this book, and it did not disappoint! Maria tells the true story of Maria von Trapp, the nun who stole our hearts in The Sound of Music. I absolutely loved learning more about the real Maria and Captain von Trapp, especially which parts of the play/movie were true and which parts were fictionalized.

Moran does a fantastic job at weaving the story of Maria’s painful childhood and sweet relationship with the children with the mid-century plot about the writing of the musical. I loved the way she incorporated Maria’s qualms about the musical and how her family viewed the portrayal of their parents (it was shocking to me!).

So much of what we see in movies feels unrealistic, but Maria’s positivity and belief in God’s plan always ring true to me when watching The Sound of Music. I was glad to see this reflected in the real Maria’s life as well. It was one of my mom’s favorite musicals, adnI know I was hearing her singing “I Have Confidence” and “Edelweiss” in my head as I was reading the novel. She would have loved it.

It’s a perfect five-star read for me and will have a special place on my forever shelves!

Huge fan of The Sound of Music, so I could not wait to read Maria! And it did not disappoint! I absolutely loved the way this story unfolded, learning about the real Maria and the details of her interesting life. Highly recommend this book to anyone that loves the Von Trapp family!

Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

As a lover of The Sound of Music, this was a wonderful and surprising read. Although I knew the Von Trapp family was real upon seeing The Sound of Music as a child, I had no way of knowing how different their life story was to the movie. Learning about the family and Maria was enlightening and helped me understand why the play and film were so different. Seeing the flaws in Maria, I can see why it was better to make her a loveable character.
The writing of the book was done well, my only qualm would be the dates at the beginning of most chapters. The timelines didn't fully match, specifically making Maria & Georg's wedding. Chapter 15 has the date 1927 with Maria going to the Reverend Mother about the proposal, and with the ending of the chapter being the wedding. Then Chapter 16 has the date 1934, and Georg mentions how it is their first night together and that the Baroness can wake up with the children. Could it be I missed a 7 year gap somewhere or was the date incorrectly published?

I am a huge fan of the sound of music so I was so excited to read this. I thought it was really interesting. It gives you a much deeper look at Maria and her life. I would highly recommend for fans to get another taste of this world.

I knew Maria through The Sound of Music, and as I read this story, I got to see Maria's life as it unfolded in real life, and not what appeared in a script to sell tickets. As I read the story, I read it different from other books I read. In this one, it felt like I was reading in the present, but my brain was flashing back to the Sound of Music. There is so much about Maria, that she was unforgettable in Sound of Music and is unforgettable in this book. Thank you for writing this story, Michelle Moran, it just felt so right.
I received an ARC from Dell through NetGalley.