A much more realistic look at the Von Trapp family. Maria was no saint and she said so herself.
I loved how she fought Hollywood for Georg’s memory.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book - the quicker I read something the more I like it I'm discovering. I've always been a fan of The Sound of Music (ask me about the time I dressed as a drop of golden sun at the live singalong) and I was very interested in learning more about the "real" Maria. I knew that the movie musical (and the play it was based on) was not 100% factual but I didn't realize how much of it was actually fictionalized.

This book is also historical fiction. The narrator, Fran, works for Oscar Hammerstein in the 1950s while he is composing The Sound of Music. Fran is charged with meeting and pacifying Maria, who is distressed about the artistic license Hammerstein has taken with the story. Maria recounts to Fran the real story of the Von Trapp family and her own abusive upbringing. We learn about the mild mannered Georg who loved Maria from the start, his seven children (not the same ages or genders as the movie portrayed), and how the family actually escaped the Nazi regime in Austria before WW2.

We also see a darker side to Maria as the family struggles to survive as a musical group. I wish there would have been a little more explanation or introspection on Maria's part regarding her evolution from a spunky would-be nun to an unforgiving mother.

We also learn a little about the fictional Fran and her career and relationship issues but I thought those distracted a bit from Maria's tales, understanding however that it was a necessary framework for the story.

Overall though I found this to be a delightful book. Definitely recommend it any fan of The Sound of Music or historical fiction lover.

The Nun and the Baron

A novel of Maria Von Trapp, and the making of the movie "The Sound of Music". As Oscar Hammerstein is asked to write the music for a musical based on the life of Maria Von Trapp, Maria, now in her golden years fights to have the story written to reflect her actual life and not a changed stage production of it.

As Hammerstein's assistant listens to Maria tell her story and takes notes for Hammerstein the production goes on until it is too late to change, but a last song is written for the show which Maria approves of very much.

It tells the life of Maria Von Trapp, the woman proposing to become a nun, who marries a baron with 7 children. Their lives and their escape from the Nazi's along with a bit of the behind the scenes production of the musical.

It was an interesting book to read. I was holding my breath as the whole family escaped the Nazi's on the last train out.

A bit of history in a book based on the production of the Musical "The Sound of Music". I enjoyed reading the book.

Thanks to MIchelle Moran for writing a great story, to Random House Publishing for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.

How do you tell the real story of Maria von Trapp? Michelle Moran has done just that in her novel, Maria. Set during the rehearsals of Hammerstein’s Broadway show The Sound of Music, Maria is upset because the show does not tell the true story of the Trapp family. Hammerstein’s assistant is tasked to take notes on the account Maria tells her. While this is a novel, much of the book is based on Maria’s autobiography and gives a more accurate account of their lives. It also gives a peek into the life of one of the greatest Broadway producers. The Trapp family was real with problems like so many who opposed Hitler. They had to rebuild their life after their escape.

Maria is a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Trapp family. I highly recommend it. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

I have always been a fan of The Sound of Music since I was a young child. I was so excited to be able to read about “The Maria Von Trapp, and I was not disappointed. What a life she led along with all the Von Trapp family. Very heartwarming and heartbreaking read. Great insight into Hammerstein is a bonus addition. I was given an advanced reader copy of this very well written book bu NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

This book brought me such joy to read. It is an absolute delight from start to finish. Such a beautiful tale about a play that is beloved by so many but highlighting the stunning real woman behind the inspiration. The story is beautifully weaved together between the development of the play and Maria telling what really happened. I feel like it gave me an even deeper appreciation for Maria as a person, and for the play. So many times, Broadway, or Hollywood’s glamour shines over the real story, but having a book that pulls both together so beautifully is just poetic. Maria was a real person, she had her flaws, but she was able to save her family and keep them together through the power of singing. While her story was far from picture perfect and has its tragedies, I am so grateful that I have a better understanding of woman and family that inspired such a stunning piece of Broadway history. I have already started to talk this book up and am so excited to get it into the hands of readers soon.
Thank you ever so much to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, Dell, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this stunning book.

I have always wondered about Maria and how much of what we say in the movie was real. Now we know.

When Oscar Hammerstein decides to write the lyrics to the musical, Maria demands a meeting. Foisting her off on his assistant, Fran.
When Fran meets with Maria, they begin a long friendship and Maria tells her the real story.

The true story is even better, in my opinion. It’s real. Not a sugar coated fairy tale.

It was exactly what I wanted!
NetGalley/ Random House/ Dell July 30, 2024

We all know the story of the Von Trapp Family through the musical and movie, "The Sound of Music." But is the story told in those theatrical pieces what really happened? When Maria learns of a new musical opening on Broadway in the 1950's, she is so angered by the changes to her life story that she comes to New York to confront Oscar Hammerstein. Too busy to meet with Maria, Hammerstein assigns his secretary, Fran to meet and interview Maria and then leave him her transcribed notes. Maria believes that crucial parts of the play will be rewritten to reflect actual events while Fran knows that they are too far into rehearsals to make any changes. Meeting with Maria over several days, leads Fran into a better understanding of the woman and the hardships she has faced. Speaking with one of her daughters, Fran realizes that Maria, despite having so many children, is actually very lonely and estranged from all of them except her youngest daughter.

Turning the story found in the productions on it's ear and shining a light on the very real and complicated woman that she was, author Moran strips away the saccharine outer shell and allows us to see the real Maria, a woman who fought for survival throughout her life.

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

I absolutely loved reading this story and am so glad I came across it. The perfect blend of truth and fiction and everything. Had troubles putting it down.

A new look at the story of "The Sound of Music" by using historical and family interviews. Maria wants to meet with Hammerstein over his new musical. As she tells her side of the story to his secretary Fran. I really enjoyed reading more about the Von Trapp family! It is amazing what things are true ( the drapes being turned into play clothes) and how deeply the family was upset by the portrayal of Captain Von Trapp. A great read for any fan of WWII, The Sound of Music or the Von Trapp Family.

As someone who grew up on the "Sound of Music" VHS/DVD/cable tv broadcast, I was immediately drawn to this historical account of Maria von Trapp. This novel features Maria offering her criticisms of the Rogers and Hammerstein script, as she points out discrepancies in the play versus her real life. In flashbacks, we learn the true lift story of Maria and her coming to and joining the von Trapp family. A great read for those who are familiar with the Rogers and Hammerstein musical and subsequent movie. It was very interesting to learn (in a historical fiction context) where Maria's life story was accurately portrayed and where the details were stretched. The pace of the writing drug at times, but overall, I very much enjoyed this look at life of the inspiration behind the famous musical.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley.

This book may not teach you how to solve a problem like Maria, but it definitely will teach you about love, sacrifice, and the power of family.

Maria: a novel of Maria von Trapp is a historical fiction novel based on the life events of Maria and the Von Trapp family, and the work that went into getting this story from page to Broadway through the musical genius of Rodgers & Hammerstein.

Maria von Trapp is a feisty woman, and is angry with Oscar Hammerstein for his new show coming out, The Sound of Music. She demands that she speaks with him directly to give him instructions on how to fix the show. The events that happened are not accurate, who is Max Detwelier, and what have they done to her husband’s memory?!

Hammerstein asks his secretary Fran Connelly to take Maria out for lunch and let her voice her concerns, to pacify her, it is far too late for them to make changes to the show anyway. Fran and Maria end up spending the week together as Maria tells Fran the truth about the events the Trapp family has lived through.

Maria begins with her childhood, she was orphaned at a young age and lived with relatives until she was old enough to escape her abusive uncle and go to college. She admits that she was every bit the troublemaker as the first part of The Sound of Music makes her out to be, but most of the musical’s script is inaccurate and she is worried that Georg, who was really very gentle, kind, and loved music, is being made out to be something he was not.

Fran diligently takes notes about the events of Maria’s life and discovers just how much the family endured.

Maria’s need to feel wanted and how she longed to belong, after feeling abandoned for so many years. The family’s love for one another and resourcefulness as they faced financial ruin. And most important of all their strength and resolve to face the Nazi regime and leave behind their beloved home and country for an uncertain future as they fled Hitler’s grasp.

The nostalgia this book gives me is so welcoming. The Sound of Music has always been a comfort movie for me, and this book just felt like a big hug. The roller coaster of emotions I was led through made it hard to put this down. While this is fiction, it is based on real life events. Events that I can’t imagine myself having the same strength that Maria shows during those trying times. As the Von Trapp family motto goes: “Nec aspera terrent” “Frightened by No Difficulties.”

If you adore The Sound of Music as much as I do, you will absolutely be enchanted by Michelle Moran’s, Maria: a novel of Maria von Trapp.

Maria by Michelle Moran is a story based on the life of Maria Von Trapp and her family.

Having grown up watching this movie, counting the days until it would air, we made sure that the entire family was available. Creating this special family time which included re-enacting the donkey scene, was simply the best most heartwarming and lasting memories of my childhood. We would make popcorn and gather on blankets in the living room to watch it together as a family. Even my father that worked way too much would take the time to enjoy this great show. While I always believed that certain parts of the story was changed to make it a better movie or show, I liked seeing the actual incidents that structured and shaped their lives.

It was interesting seeing how Maria’s childhood affected her so profoundly.
While Hammerstein is making a broadway musical about the Von Trapp Family singers, Maria von Trapppe wants the story to be more realistic and to show her husband George as the caring hardworking man he was.

The book begins way before they came to the Unites States and toured singing at concerts. While many situations are similar, there are greater differences. The play was leaving out people that were very close to them in real life and creating characters instead. Throughout the book, I was looking for our favorite characters such as Max. Missing the way he made you laugh.
“WELL, FRAN, I SUPPOSE you are waiting for the illustrious Max Detweiler to make his appearance, and for us to plan a daring escape from the Nazis just as we are about to give our performance. But these are your scriptwriters’ fanciful creations.” But unfortunately we discover that they were made up. Although the Baroness was Really A Princess.

As the movie and play progressed, it becomes clear that although the movie is based on events, it’s very loosely. Some scenes were spot on, like Maria giving it to the captain over the amount of time he stays away and how much the children need him. Another is the curtain scene where she creates play clothing for them. In my head I can hear Raindrops on Roses playing.
“Fran can feel herself grasping. “Well, songs add new dimensions to the characters. And I wouldn’t think of this as anyone’s life story. I would think of it as being based on your life story. Loosely.”

I definitely enjoyed learning about Maria and her family. It definitely shed more of a light on her youth and the reason she wanted so strongly to be a nun. I liked the way in which the abbess talks her into returning and marring the Captain. Just like in the movie, she learns that she can fulfill gods will by many ways.

While reading, I found myself singing the songs that fit the different aspects. Reading that the curtains were really used to make children’s close from them made me laugh. I went down the hall singing when the dog bites. Maria wa feisty and determined. I enjoyed learning that she really did respond to him aggressively about leaving the children so much. Walking down the hall my husband kept giving me odd looks for singing “How do you solve a problem like Maria.”
And although their escape wasn’t the exact escape showcased-in the story, it was still fraught with danger.

“Sir, the city is preparing for a visit from the Führer. We expect every house in Salzburg to be displaying the swastika. Yet it’s come to our attention that you don’t even own a flag.” “This is true,” Georg says. “How is this possible when we have already been here for two weeks?” “Oh.” Georg shoves his hands deep into his pockets. “I’m afraid it’s just too expensive,” he says. “We barely get by with what we have without buying flags.” The young man marches to the car and return with two red banners. In the middle is the ancient symbol sacred to Hindus, now turned slightly and made into the emblem of the Nazi Party. “If you’d like, we can help you hang them from the windows.”

This had to be terrifying for them, yet they kept their composure and used their talents to tour the world, which worked as a great way to escape.
They escape may not be the heartwarming tale woven by Hammerstein, but it was an amazing tale that has blazed its way into our minds. With the great music, love, strength and danger, The sound of Music is a name most people remember.

If you are a fan of The Sound of Music or love learning about topics, than this is a great book to read. You will definitely play the movie in your head as you read.

Michelle Moran's book about Maria von Trapp challenges you to abandon what you know about the film and the musical and go beyond the conventional story that you know. She does a wonderful job of weaving together fiction and reality. As someone who grew up watching the movie, became perplexed by the Rogers and Hammerstein musical soundtrack and its differences to the film, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It challenged me to think more critically about how other's stories are told. You learn more about (the actual) Maria's upbringing with facts that are glossed over in the mainstream tellings of her life. You learn more about the atmosphere of the home, her relationships with the children and the other staff, and a bit more about their life after leaving Austria. Moran does a great job of keeping the story moving and bringing out the humanity of all the characters that we've all come to know and love.

One of the best things about this book for me is how it pushed me to consider how popular narratives shape what we understand about historical events and figures. We must not accept their stories at face value and be willing to dive into multiple sources to ensure that what we're consuming includes the totality of their experience. This isn't meant to disparage the original Sound of Music musical or the beloved movie, but the totality of Maria's experience is so much more complex and Moran's story does a great job of capturing the complexity of the human emotion through the many choices she had to make in her life. I particularly appreciated the follow up stories of the Trapp Family Singers, which provided a deeper look at the reality of their experiences and what happened afterwards.

Advice for the reader: set aside your conventional knowledge about Maria and the von Trapp family going into this book. It makes it a little easier to digest and appreciate, though admittedly, it is difficult to do after appreciating their stories for so many years. Kudos to Moran for tackling such a beloved figure in such a thoughtful way.

If you have ever seen the Sound of Music you HAVE to read this book! Growing up I watched the Sound of Music many times, so when I saw this book was coming out, I knew I had to read it.

This book was so beautifully written and I really enjoyed the story.

The book includes an Author's Note which I always love in historical fiction so that the reader knows what is real and not. It also let the reader know what happened to all of the children which I appreciated. This really helped to tie the pretty bow on this story.

Thank you to Dell/Random House Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

“Maria” is the historical fiction account of the life of Maria von Trapp of “Sound of Music” fame as related by Maria to Oscar Hammerstein’s fictitious assistant, Fran, as Maria complains about the disparities between her real life and the way her life was depicted in the script prepared for the upcoming Broadway musical set to debut in early 1960 (on which the movie was based). Maria’s story begins with her childhood as an orphan in Austria being raised by her father’s family, through her time as a novice in the nunnery, then as a nanny to Baron von Trapp’s family and ultimately his wife. Maria’s narrative is interspersed with the life of Fran, Hammerstein’s assistant, a budding writer in the production office whose job it is to soothe Maria’s anger over the script while also navigating the world as a single woman whose boy friend is jealous of her success as a published author.

With her vibrant prose, the author brings to life the beauty of the Austrian countryside and the distinctive personalities of Maria, Baron von Trapp and their many children. The reader will be drawn in by the challenges faced by the various members of the family as they adjust to life with each other, becoming a famous singing sensation, and avoiding the perils of the Nazi regime after the occupation of Austria. I highly recommend this book to historical fiction fans who enjoy a well-written novel that brings to life a little known aspect of history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

The is a novel about the life of Maria Von Trapp. This book touches on how her life story was changed for the Broadway version of the Sound of Music. The story re-caps Maria’s life from young childhood to life after Georg. Oscar Hammerstein is the man assigned to write the lyrics to the Brodway musical. Maria reads the script and wants to immediately confront Hammerstein about making some changes to the script, Maria does not like the way Georg is being portrayed amongst other concerns. Maria starts meeting with Fran, Hammerstein’s secretary, to tell her version of her life story. A deep friendship evolves through these meetings. I throughly enjoyed this book. I was often felt like scenes from
the movie were replaying in my head. I was intrigued by Maria’s perspective. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. I highly recommend this one. I give it 4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Reading this book brought back many pleasant memories for me, being 10 years old and seeing the movie with my mother and grandmother, mesmerized by the beautiful movie and music., many years later introducing my daughter to the movie and she became a fan also. My family stayed at the Von Trapp Family lodge for a weekend in 1997, and Rosemarie actually led a sing along that we attended, my daughter was 10 at the time and can still remember it. I realized that liberties are often taken with movies and plays, this was no exception with this story, the background of the musical coming to life, with the story of the real Maria and her thoughts about the production made for an interesting, enjoyable read. I enjoyed this book immensely and I liked the author’s style of writing.

Maria by Michelle Moran is a story based on the life of Maria Von Trapp and her family.

Having grown up watching this movie, counting the days until it would air, we made sure that the entire family was available. Creating this special family time which included re-enacting the donkey scene, was simply the best most heartwarming and lasting memories of my childhood. We would make popcorn and gather on blankets in the living room to watch it together as a family. Even my father that worked way too much would take the time to enjoy this great show. While I always believed that certain parts of the story was changed to make it a better movie or show, I liked seeing the actual incidents that structured and shaped their lives.

It was interesting seeing how Maria’s childhood affected her so profoundly.
While Hammerstein is making a broadway musical about the Von Trapp Family singers, Maria von Trapppe wants the story to be more realistic and to show her husband George as the caring hardworking man he was.

The book begins way before they came to the Unites States and toured singing at concerts. While many situations are similar, there are greater differences. The play was leaving out people that were very close to them in real life and creating characters instead. Throughout the book, I was looking for our favorite characters such as Max. Missing the way he made you laugh.
“WELL, FRAN, I SUPPOSE you are waiting for the illustrious Max Detweiler to make his appearance, and for us to plan a daring escape from the Nazis just as we are about to give our performance. But these are your scriptwriters’ fanciful creations.” But unfortunately we discover that they were made up. Although the Baroness was Really A Princess.

As the movie and play progressed, it becomes clear that although the movie is based on events, it’s very loosely. Some scenes were spot on, like Maria giving it to the captain over the amount of time he stays away and how much the children need him. Another is the curtain scene where she creates play clothing for them. In my head I can hear Raindrops on Roses playing.
“Fran can feel herself grasping. “Well, songs add new dimensions to the characters. And I wouldn’t think of this as anyone’s life story. I would think of it as being based on your life story. Loosely.”

I definitely enjoyed learning about Maria and her family. It definitely shed more of a light on her youth and the reason she wanted so strongly to be a nun. I liked the way in which the abbess talks her into returning and marring the Captain. Just like in the movie, she learns that she can fulfill gods will by many ways.

While reading, I found myself singing the songs that fit the different aspects. Reading that the curtains were really used to make children’s close from them made me laugh. I went down the hall singing when the dog bites. Maria wa feisty and determined. I enjoyed learning that she really did respond to him aggressively about leaving the children so much. Walking down the hall my husband kept giving me odd looks for singing “How do you solve a problem like Maria.”
And although their escape wasn’t the exact escape showcased-in the story, it was still fraught with danger.

“Sir, the city is preparing for a visit from the Führer. We expect every house in Salzburg to be displaying the swastika. Yet it’s come to our attention that you don’t even own a flag.” “This is true,” Georg says. “How is this possible when we have already been here for two weeks?” “Oh.” Georg shoves his hands deep into his pockets. “I’m afraid it’s just too expensive,” he says. “We barely get by with what we have without buying flags.” The young man marches to the car and return with two red banners. In the middle is the ancient symbol sacred to Hindus, now turned slightly and made into the emblem of the Nazi Party. “If you’d like, we can help you hang them from the windows.”

This had to be terrifying for them, yet they kept their composure and used their talents to tour the world, which worked as a great way to escape.
They escape may not be the heartwarming tale woven by Hammerstein, but it was an amazing tale that has blazed its way into our minds. With the great music, love, strength and danger, The sound of Music is a name most people remember.

If you are a fan of The Sound of Music or love learning about topics, than this is a great book to read. You will definitely play the movie in your head as you read.

Loving the movie The Sound of Music, I was so happy to receive the novel, Maria, by Michelle Moran. Even though their have been many novels regarding the Trapp family, I wanted to read this version of Maria's life. This book goes through Maria's life and how she was angry with the version of the broadway play portrayed their lifes. Read this book to find out the misrepresentation in the play which was based on the Gerrman version. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read Maria prior to its publication.