As someone who loves The Sound of Music, I enjoyed every page. It had all the answers to questions I didn't realize I had. I enjoyed learning what actually happened during WWII while also being shocked by how different Maria's character in real life. This book is perfect for people who want to know the real story, but don't tend to read nonfiction. Highly recommend

I loved this book from start to finish! Of course, as a fan of Sound of Music, the topic was already interesting to me, but then to find it was about the real Maria marching to Rogers & Hammerstein’s office, demanding the upcoming Broadway musical be fixed because they didn’t get it right! And then hearing her “real” story. Really really great stuff. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun read. I loved the movie so wants sure what to expect but I enjoyed the story and the writing style. Good research on the author's part. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

I am a huge fan of Michelle Moran's work and was very thankful to be given the opportunity to read Maria. What a great book, having been to Salzburg and to the Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont, this was a fantastic read.

✨ Star Rating: 4.5⭐️

The Sound of Music is a beloved musical and motion picture. It was iconic in its time and still holds its own. But the story, while based on the life of Maria von Trapp, is not a truthful account of her life. This novel is based on the premise that when Maria’s autobiography was being adapted into a musical, just weeks away from debut, Maria herself wrote to Oscar Hammerstein to express her displeasure in the falsities of the script. His ambitious office assistant, Fran, winds up meeting with Maria to get her account and discuss her qulams with the script.

I really enjoyed this book, but there were a few things that held me back from a five star review. First, the point of view and timeline bounce around. I love a good timeline split, but I personally prefer point of view remain consistent throughout a story, at least all first person or all third person (this had both). Second, and this is not a criticism of the book its self, but I found my opinion of Maria was tainted. Her character is less of the happy, fun mother, but was more of a disciplinarian and family manager, occasionally with an ill temper. That’s not to say she didn’t bring love and music to the family, just that she was more stern and even had rifts with her family after the death of Georg. It was hard to learn that this was more of the reality than the beloved Maria on screen!

All said and done, I cried at the end of the book. And though, I wondered throughout the whole book what was true and what was fiction, the Author’s note as the final chapter was 🤌🏼 *Chefs Kiss*.🤌🏼

As someone who adores the movie The Sound of Music, and as a fan of historical fiction, I will definitely be recommending this one. Four stars overall, well done Michelle Moran. I am so grateful for the opportunty to read an Advanced Copy. Thank you to the author, Penguin Random House and Netgalley !

I’ll definitely be bringing this one up again on July 30th when it releases!

Excellent book! As a Sound of Music fan, I appreciated the story and learning more about Maria Von Trapp. I thought the book was well written and the storyline was interestingly laid out. I highly recommend this for all libraries and I think it will be a good book club pick.

"Maria" by Michelle Moran is a historical fiction novel about Maria Von Trapp of "The Sound of Music" fame. Michelle Moran wrote, "Madame Tussard", a book that I thoroughly enjoyed (5 stars), so when the opportunity to read Maria became available on NetGalley I grabbed it. I'm so happy I did.
Who doesn't love The Sound of Music? This fictional story is a dual perspective of Maria and Fran. Maria's background is revealed from her difficult childhood to her time at an abbey where she is to become a nun. Maria is sent on assignment to teach one of Captain Von Trapps daughters and the famous story begins. There are twists and turns that are different from the movie and musical as most of us know it.
Fran is a young writer working for Hammerstein during the writing of "The Sound of Music" musical. Maria shows up uninvited to Hammerstein's office hoping to make corrections to the musical script shortly before production. Fran is assigned to quickly brush Maria off and take notes of Maria's grievances rather than Hammerstein meeting Maria directly. Due to Maria's tenacious personality and ability to use her fame to her benefit, brushing her off isn't so easily done.
The novel gives the reader what we are looking for and that's more historical details into the real Maria Von Trapp and the Von Trapp Family Singers. I did not know many of the details, so it was fun to learn more. Some of it was rather bittersweet.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Michelle Moran for the opportunity to read the arc of this novel.

Michelle Moran's Maria tells the story of Maria von Trapp of Sound of Music fame; a dual timeline showcases the creation of the musical. I wanted to like this book more than I did. Perhaps it's because I'd already read Maria von Trapp's autobiographies, but I just felt like I didn't learn anything new about her. The book initially presents Maria as a warm-hearted woman who is playful with the children. When we meet her 25ish years later, her children and step-children describe her as difficult. This novel doesn't really explain this evolution, so it feels as though something is missing.

If a reader isn't familiar with Maria von Trapp's story outside of the well-known musical, I recommend this book. Otherwise, I'd suggest you read the autobiography.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I absolutely love this book. I was so excited when I saw it on NetGalley and I knew that I needed to request it right away. I was happy when I was approved for this book.

If you are a fan of The Sound of Music, Broadway, or are just interested in the Von Trapp family this novel is for you. I had previously read Maria's book so I was familiar with the real story of The Von Trapp family. Michelle Moran did a great job telling the Von Trapp families story.

I read a lot of Historical Fiction books, and this one has to be one of my favorites. I will definitely recommend this one and will be reading it again.

I absolutely adored reading this book. If you loved watching the sound of music over and over, or historical fiction, or Broadway, I think you would enjoy this as well.
2 storylines, both told well. This definitely makes me go down a rabbit hole and find out what is fact and what is fiction

I truly enjoyed Maria by Michelle Moran. It was touching and written with sensitivity for Maria and the entire family. Not having any knowledge of Maria's difficult childhood, it was a surprise to learn how her relations with the Von Trapp family developed, especially in her later years. I loved Fran as the connection to Hammerstein and would have enjoyed even more insight about his approach to the film. I didn't necessarily follow her writing or boyfriend achievements, but did not have a problem with it.

Michelle Moran has written an interesting book about Maria Von Trapp and her family. The beloved movie, while having a foot in reality, was greatly modified from the facts of Maria’s journey through life. But, the real Maria was a very brave and tenacious woman who knew what she wanted and fought to get it. I think that I would have liked her. She was like that no nonsense family member who you could not help but love!

4.5 stars-

MARIA by Michelle Moran exceeded my expectations!! In this retelling Moran used Maria Von Trapp’s autobiographies to brings together a novel of what might have happened if she confronted Oscar Hammerstein on the misrepresentations of her and her family within his musical.

I admittedly haven’t seen SOUND OF MUSIC since I was much younger and I didn’t remember most of it - but I loved this novel for what it was. I enjoyed hearing Maria tell her story and appreciated the respect she had for the baron’s children during a time when most people believed children should be seen and not heard. It was fun to follow Hammerstein’s secretary, Fran’s individual journey through this as well as she meets up with Maria to hear her side of the story.

I typically read fantasy smut so this was definitely not a typical read for me - which is part of why I was shocked that I enjoyed it so much. I think I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting book to read. I believe that SOUND OF MUSIC fanatics might have more criticism for this depending on what their familiar and thoughts are, but as a whole this was a delightful read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

Maria von Trapp shares stories about her childhood and what actually happened when she went to teach one
of the von Trapp children. She reveals that her family was on the last train to leave Austria before the borders
were closed and the life they endured while touring to sing in various locations. Maria's childhood impacted the way she raised the children which left them with little freedom. Enjoyed learning about the lives of those portrayed in The Sound Of Music.
#Maria #Random House #Ballantine #NetGalley

The hills are alive with the 'Sound of Music.' Michelle Moran pens Maria's story revealing the woman behind the musical While the movie and Broadway musical are feel-good entertainment, the Van Trapp family had their share of heartbreak. Facing abuse as a young child, Maria was paralyzed by fear of everything being taken away from her and that caused her disciplinary behavior.

Successful in saving the family, I was saddened to learn that the lighthearted charactered portrayed by Julie Andrews or her predecessor, Mary Martin was a work of fiction. The real Maria was flawed and fierce in her devotion. She was committed to God and keeping her family together. Learning that the children drifted from the Lodge after Georg's death was devastating. While Maria's autobiography differed from the Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, 'I Have Confidence' that 'There Was Something' Good that weaved together the play and plot.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #Maria in exchange for an honest review. Historical fiction provides behind-the-scenes accounts of famous people and places. For a brief stay, I checked in to Austria and toured Europe. I was a fly on the wall in Hammerstein's office and meeting with Fran, Maria and Lorli. Closing the final chapter, I let the story sing once more.

I do believe this is my favorite book of 2024, so far. I was intrigued from the get go. I had always read that Maria gave the powers that be trouble with the script for The Sound of Music, but I did not know why. I think Ms. Moran has written a lovely book about love, faith, a big hit musical and family troubled in more ways than we knew about.

I hate to spoil anything because this book is jam packed of events, right from the get go. The story alternates between Maria discussing her real life story with one of Richard Rodger’s assistants and her life with Georg and the children. She loved the children instantly and it is so evident. Oh, I almost forgot, don’t be married to the characters in the stage show/film, some of those people never existed in real life and some of them had complete personality changes when it came to what would be shown to the public.

I am telling everyone I know to preorder this one, it is well worth your time, my only complaint was that I devoured too quickly. I do plan on re reading.

I initially didn't think I wanted to read this book because I'd seen the Sound of Music and didn't think there would be anything new. But this book was a fresh take on the life of Maria von Trapp. I really enjoyed it. It was well-placed and early held my interest throughout. It was a bittersweet story but one that I was glad I read.

Like many people, I grew up with The Sound of Music and so was immediately drawn to this book. I am so glad to have learned more about Maria, what her life was like, who she really was. There are many sad parts to her story & her children’s story, but so much to learn and grown from too.
The story is told from two points of view… Maria & then an assistant to Hammerstein, Fran. While I didn’t feel as drawn to Fran’s story and felt parts were rushed, I still felt for her and was interested to see where her storyline was going to go.
The book is well-written, pacing is great, characters are well rounded and the information/research is fantastic.
I loved this book

this is a story that I was amazed with. So different from the Sound of Music "Maria". It made me sad that my image of her is forever changed. It is amazing that the children returned in the end. How could she go from being a Nun to a pushy and unfeeling stepmother. I felt very sorry for her youngest daughter.

I grew up watching The Sound of Music with my Mom. This book brought back all of those great memories and it was so fun to learn more about Maria.