Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp

by Michelle Moran

11 hours

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.

In the 1950s, Oscar Hammerstein is asked to write the lyrics to a musical based on the life of a woman named Maria von Trapp. He’s intrigued to learn that she was once a novice who hoped to live quietly as an Austrian nun before her abbey sent her away to teach a widowed baron’s sickly child. What should have been a ten-month assignment, however, unexpectedly turned into a marriage proposal. And when the family was forced to flee their home to escape the Nazis, it was Maria who instructed them on how to survive using nothing but the power of their voices.

It’s an inspirational story, to be sure, and as half of the famous Rodgers & Hammerstein duo, Hammerstein knows it has big Broadway potential. Yet much of Maria’s life will have to be reinvented for the stage, and with the horrors of war still fresh in people’s minds, Hammerstein can’t let audiences see just how close the von Trapps came to losing their lives.

But when Maria sees the script that is supposedly based on her life, she becomes so incensed that she sets off to confront Hammerstein in person. Told that he’s busy, she is asked to express her concerns to his secretary, Fran, instead. The pair strike up an unlikely friendship as Maria tells Fran about her life, contradicting much of what will eventually appear in The Sound of Music.

A tale of love, loss, and the difficult choices that we are often forced to make, Maria is a powerful reminder that the truth is usually more complicated—and certainly more compelling—than the stories immortalized by Hollywood.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, World War II, Book Club, Music

Audiobook

First published July 30, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Michelle Moran is the internationally bestselling author of eight historical novels. A native of southern California, she attended Pomona College, then earned a Masters Degree from the Claremont Graduate University. During her six years as a public high school teacher, she used her summers to travel around the world, and it was her experiences as a volunteer on archaeological digs that inspired her to write historical fiction. Her novels, translated into more than twenty languages, include Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen, Cleopatra’s Daughter, Madame Tussaud, The Second Empress, Rebel Queen, Mata Hari, and Maria. A frequent traveler, she currently lives with her family in England, where she is researching her ninth book.

Reviews

[Marquise · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Well, it's not exactly our life story," Maria says. There's silence for several moments as she gathers her thoughts. "But our love for God and family was there, and this is what has always been most important." Beside her, all five of her children nod, even Rupert, in spire of having been transformed into a girl named Liesl.

More than a novel about the life of Maria von Trapp, this is a novel about the making of the musical The Sound of Music based on a portion of her life. Indeed, for those that don't know, before the more famous 1965 film with the same title, there was a Broadway musical created in 1959 by Rodgers & Hammerstein, on which the hit film is based.

But before this musical there was a German film from 1956, "Die Trapp Familie," based on Maria's own autobiography. Thus, The Sound of Music is a retelling not of the original memoirs but of a fictionalisation of said memoirs. A retelling of a retelling, if you will.

And Maria von Trapp hated it. Hated it so much she wrote to Oscar Hammerstein bluntly demanding answers to why it was so different to her real story and demanding changes to the script. Fearing the ruinous effects of bad press on his yet-to-début production were a disgruntled Maria to complain to the media if her demands weren't heard, Hammerstein sends his assistant to dine and wine the old Austrian folk singer and appease her. And so, through the fictional character of Fran Connelly, we learn about the "true story" of The Trapp Family Singers' matriarch and her talented offspring from herself in the course of a few conversations.

I will be honest, I failed to empathise with Maria's opposition to the Hammerstein musical from the beginning. As it was portrayed in this novel, she comes across as an uncouth country bumpkin wilfully ignorant of the intricacies of storytelling who makes unreasonable demands of a musical that's not even based on her memoirs, the rights to which she is aware she sold to the German filmmakers that in turn sold them to the Americans next. What is there to complain about, really? We are told over and over that she is very upset with the changes, but for half the book we don't see big differences: it's essentially the same story. Is Maria this oblivious about how scripts work? Apparently, yes, because when it's pointed out to her that half of the story is still truthful, she objects that the other half is radically different and that's what upsets her.

But in the second half, the "radical differences" turn out to be creative liberties taken so as to make the story lively and entertaining, and fit for the stage, and cram years of events in two hours of story. Things like that the Baroness Matilda and Princess Yvonne are condensed in one single character, that Father Wasner is omitted, that the love story between Georg and Maria was made reciprocal instead of starting one-sided as it really was, that the Nazis coming to power is sped up to fit the story's timeline, and that the von Trapps flee hiking over the Alps to Switzerland instead of by train to Italy. All these are things Maria tells Fran were the truth, unlike in the musical.

But I have to ask: do all these changes alter the essence of Maria's and the von Trapps' story in The Sound of Music? Do these changes make the story so radically different as to be unrecognisable?

In my opinion, no. And eventually, after much talking and fussing about changes minor and major, by the end of the book Maria is forced to admit as much and grudgingly utters the words in the opening quote above.

The one thing that was changed which did sound sympathetic to complain about to me was: the personalities of Georg von Trapp and Maria Kutschera were switched in the musical (and later in the film); the Baron as the humourless disciplinarian and the novice nun as the cheery and indulgent ray of sunshine. Turns out that it was the other way round, something I wasn't aware of (I'm not into von Trapp lore and am only a casual fan of the story, you see), so I can readily say this is what I liked best in this novel. Maria is flawed, more flawed than people may realise, and those flaws aren't omitted or switched in this book. She was very rigid, a harsh disciplinarian, a bad listener, a petty household tyrant, was domineering, tactless, undiplomatic and, more shockingly, abusive towards her children (she forced one to sing at all costs despite mental health breakdowns and severe stage fright, and locked another in her room to prevent a marriage to a boyfriend of over a decade). She wasn't saintly at all, but she also was a stubborn fighter and with an admirable determination to survive and thrive; and I enjoyed the second half of the book much more for this nuance.

However, I didn't love the structure of the book. It's written in third person present tense ("She does . . .") from beginning to end, all three POVs are in present tense, a writing style I'm not a fan of. But more importantly, the narrative structure in the beginning is terrible: a flashback by Maria, and then a flashback by Maria inside a flashback also by Maria. The bigger problem with this memory lane structure for Maria's POVs is that it makes the whole novel so infodumpy and so full of "As you know, Bobs" that you feel like you're being spoonfed the entirety of Maria's life with a large spoon. Hers was a long life, she lived past 80, so to try to cram so much of it into a medium-sized novel like this means we get an overabundance of these: flashbacks, long expository dialogue, "As You Know, Bob," historical event summaries, monologues, tell & no show, and many, many time jumps . . . It's an enormous pile of infodump throughout the book. And it makes it all the more ironic that this novel's plot premise is that the fictional story isn't true to the real story, because this novel is an example of why it was necessary to change things for the sake of storytelling.

And speaking of storytelling, Hammerstein's one single chapter was too out of the blue and its contents could've been transferred to Fran without having to insert a new POV so suddenly. I also would've discarded Fran's side arc of trying to become a writer and her romances. It was bloat anyway, and didn't do much to make Fran feel less of a plot device mouthpiece to deliver as the plot needed. There would've been more room for Maria's life in the United States to be told in this novel instead of hurriedly summed up in a few lines at Hammerstein's last dinner. This was supposed to tell her true life's story, wasn't it? But at times, it loses place of preference to a fictional wannabe author. We do get Maria in Maria, yes, but not as much as we could have with a better plot and narration structure.

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Rosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A historical fiction focussing on Maria von Trapp’s life, leading up to her issues with the Broadway adaptation. Seems mostly faithful to facts, but it is still fiction, so it has the usual fictional garnishes. A great option for ‘The Sound of Music’ fans who want to know the reality of the Von Trapp family, which is not at all as depicted in the movie.

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Plot Preview:

1959, New York. Fran Connelly, who works at Oscar Hammerstein’s office, is assigned an important task. She has to calm down the furious Maria Von Trapp, who wants the Broadway team to cull some of the creative edits made to her life story’s stage adaptation. Through their interactions, we learn more about Maria’s childhood, her arrival in the Von Trapp house, and their life together in Austria and later in the USA.
The story comes *mostly* over two timelines, and *mostly* in Maria’s first-person perspective and Fran’s third-person perspective, all written in the present tense.

If you are a fan of ‘The Sound of Music’ and believed everything in it to be true, this book might come as a rude awakening. Thankfully, while I love the movie (or rather, its music), I knew that some of the story was fictionalised. Just how much of the truth had been stretched is something I discovered only recently when I read the first of Maria Von Trapp’s three memoirs: ‘The Story of the Trapp Family Singers’. In fact, I had read the memoir as a preparatory assignment for this novel; I wanted to see if the factual memoir and the fictional novel worked in harmony.

The memoir, while not being outstanding, taught me much about Maria and the experiences of the Trapp family beyond what was shown in the movie. However, something had kept nagging at me, especially as Maria’s anecdotes seemed to be overly positive. While reading this book, I finally identified what was bugging me so much. As common with memoir writers, Maria Von Trapp had chosen to be sparing with the truth, reporting only as much as would present a picture-perfect enviable image of the family. The other side of the story is not so harmonious [pun intended.] This book has everything that was missing in the memoir - emotions, struggles, complaints, rebellion, mental breakdowns… It’s more human and realistic.

This novel does an exceptional job of presenting a holistic picture, revealing Maria’s personality in all its shades, which comes as a not-so-pleasant revelation. As the writing is in Maria’s first person, it is interesting to see her trying to justify some of her behaviour even when she can see the harm of her actions. Many a time, she is utterly unaware of the damage she has caused, until it is too late. I appreciate how the book didn’t turn Maria into a saint just because she's the titular character and such a beloved cultural icon thanks to the movie.

Of course, Maria’s issues with the changes in the Broadway script are somewhat justified; no one would like so much of a manipulation of their life story when it is meant for public eyes. (Ironic that Maria hated the Broadway producers for taking liberties with her life story when she herself did the same while writing her memoir!) Then again, her approach seems simultaneously naïve and dogmatic. When she signed away the rights to her book to the German production company, she gave up the controlling power. The first German movie that was based on her memoir should have prepared her better.

I found it interesting to learn the reasons of the production team behind the edits. I still don’t think it is right to alter a true story so much, and even change a person’s nature completely. If you remember the movie, it was Maria who was the light-hearted, fun-loving girl while Captain Georg was the ill-humoured disciplinarian. Reality was exactly the opposite. But luckily or unluckily for Maria, the Broadway team made her the angel of the story, and poor Captain Georg will always be known as the grump who changed his colours after finding love.

As regards the writing, the novel does a mostly great job. I loved how this book includes Maria’s childhood struggles and Captain Georg’s life pre-Maria, both of which were missing in her memoir. Maria’s first-person chapters retain her naturally self-confident tone. One minor detail that I truly appreciated was how the author clarified that the swastika is the ancient symbol of the Hindus and was twisted and misused by the Nazis. So many Westerners don’t know this! I also loved how it offered insights into the life of the children. They were a vital part of the Trapp Family Singers, and the novel gives them a voice, something Maria forgot to do in her memoir.

That said, no book can be perfect, and this is no exception. Here are the reasons my rating isn’t higher:
😟 Fran Connelly is fictional, so I wish her personal story (such as her relationship problems or her ambition of becoming an author) had stayed limited.

😟 The single chapter from Oscar Hammerstein's pov didn’t fit in the flow. It should have been eliminated, and its content presented through Fran’s perspective.

😟 The journey was bumpy at the start, with Fran’s 1959 leading to Maria’s 1926 timeline, which went into further flashback to Maria’s 1913 timeline – her childhood. Thankfully, after this chapter, the timelines mostly alternate between 1959 and the 1930s.

😟 The teeny references to Maria’s attraction/desire/strange feelings towards George in the first half of the book. Maria was always clear that there was no attraction towards or romantic relationship with the Captain until their wedding, so these mentions were somewhat annoying, and thankfully disappeared after their marital union. The same goes for the wedding night scene: closed door, but awkward and unbelievable!

😟 A major chunk of the novel is focussed on the part covered by the movie. The later life of the Trapps in the US, where they became the ‘Trapp Family Singers’, gets just the final quarter or so. The US part of Maria’s life should have got equal attention.

In the grand scheme of things, most of these issues are not so prominent as would affect the reading experience. The author’s note and the discussion club questions are the icing on the cake.


In short, this book was everything I hoped it would be, and a bit more. Despite the teeny writing issues, I savoured this reading experience and loved to get some realistic clarity behind the saccharine-sweet story presented by both the movie and Maria’s memoir.

As I have read only one of Maria’s three memoirs, I do not know what family details she might have revealed in the remaining two books. But her first memoir indirectly depicted how dominant and adamant she was, and this novelised version confirms it. After reading the memoir, I wanted to know more about the Trapp kids; after reading this novel, I am a bit sorry for them.

Of course, you might not be fond of reading memoirs, especially when they are unreliable. In that case, this novelised version is perfect for you. I loved how the author stated in her exceptional note (don’t skip it!!!) how a novel cannot be based only on a single autobiography. This book hence combines the content of Maria’s and Agathe’s memoirs and offers a more holistic glimpse of the family’s experiences.

Definitely recommended to historical fiction readers, and fans of The Sound of Music. Keep in mind though, that this is Maria’s story only up to the release of the musical, when she was 55 years old. She passed away when she was 82, so this isn’t her *life* story, but rather, her ‘Sound of Music’ story and a bit more.

4 stars.


My thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for providing the DRC of “Maria” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good night!

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[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I’ve never had the privilege of watching the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, but the 1965 movie based on the same has been a favorite of mine ever since I watched it for the first time at the age of seven. Though I was too young to appreciate the more serious themes, I adored Maria and her dynamic with the Trapp children and loved the music. My father, amused by my enthusiastic renditions of the songs ( I can’t carry a tune to save my life, but when has that ever stopped me?), gifted me a copy of the movie (a VHS tape - this was the 1980’s!) - which became one of my most cherished possessions. As I grew older, and rewatched the movie with friends and family more times than I can remember, I began to appreciate the story, (the knowledge that it was inspired by true events rendered the movie even more special), the characters and the themes addressed in the movie more. I remember a discussion I had with a colleague in the early 2000s that prompted me to read up on the true story of the Trapp family. I will admit I was more than a tad disheartened to find out that not only were certain aspects of the story fictionalized, but that Maria was portrayed as quite different from the real Maria von Trapp. However, I was mature enough to appreciate the movie for what it was – an enchanting, fictionalized version of a true story with memorable characters and music that was pure magic!

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. This novel was published on July 30, 2024.

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[Michelle Moran]

If you’d like to read a book that knocks your socks off and makes you think, “Now this is the kind of author who deserves a Pulitzer,” this may not be the book for you.

I’m not going to lie. When I sat down to write this novel, I wasn’t in some fantastic cafe sipping an oat milk latte while the muse whispered gently into my ear. Instead, I was sitting at home in my yoga pants, gulping down a coffee I’d microwaved three times while the muse shouted over John the Guitarist next door, who practices for his band at six every morning.

Some books have ad campaigns which tout them as brilliant. Breathtaking. A literary tour de force. MARIA is not that book. MARIA is a plate of warm cookies. The kind your grandmother might have baked. Light. Sweet. Possibly nostalgic.

If this book could give itself its own review it would say, “I’m the book every introvert needs on the train.” This is because I can virtually guarantee that no one is going to stop you while you’re reading and say, “My God, is that the latest Michelle Moran?” unless the rest of that sentence is, “I didn’t know she was still writing.”

But introverts and extroverts alike, be forewarned. As with all things related to the inimitable Maria von Trapp, this will likely renew any obsession you may have had with The Sound Of Music… and you will seek to know more. This is where Maria’s two autobiographies come in, written in 1949 and 1972. It’s also possible you will develop a fascination with Rodgers & Hammerstein, particularly Hammerstein, who really did believe he lived in a world of raindrops on roses and cute whiskered kittens. And should this happen, may I heartily suggest the book, SOMETHING WONDERFUL, which actually does deserve to win a Pulitzer.

In summation, if you're hoping to read this book, I would do so not because it’s the literary tour de force my father always believed I’d research and write, but because you've always adored warm cookies. The soft and gooey ones, in particular.

[Christy fictional_traits · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The author - as in the woman who wrote the book this play is based on - is standing here demanding changes to the script!'

It's 1959 and Rodgers & Hammerstein are putting the final touches to the musical, 'The Sound of Music'. That is, until Maria von Trapp herself, reads the script, and is horrified how her family's life has been portrayed. Having already been dismayed by an earlier, German, production, 'Die Familie', she is determined to set the story straight. Maria, begins to recount her 'real' story to Fran, an assistant at Rodgers & Hammerstein. And so begins the dual-time tale. As the chasm between the two versions is slowly revealed, it is Maria herself, who begins to understand that sometimes the past needs to give way to the future, and all of the hope the future can hold, 'It's the hardest part of being human. Accepting that even the best things will have to end'.

I found this a very readable, reflection on the renowned musical and delving into who the real Maria was. To be honest, I'd never really thought upon the characters ever being real people. Moran does well to consolidate an amalgamation of biographical information, tweaking it with some creative license, and revealing Maria's story in tandem with the production of the musical. I think any historical fiction fan will appreciate this look behind the curtains of such a celebrated production. Soon you too will be quietly humming 'Edelweiss' between chapters.

'...perhaps I have one more song to write. Something for all...All the difficult goodbyes'.

[JaymeO · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you solve a problem like Maria? 🎶

The 1965 movie The Sound of Music is one of my favorite musicals. As a child of the ‘80s, I was given one of the first VCRs and five videos to watch. Cinderella, Snow White, Peter Pan (with Mary Martin), Fantasia, and The Sound of Music. These movies were played on repeat for as long as I can remember. However, the one that I watched with most frequency was The Sound Of Music (switching tapes in the middle as it was too long for just one video).

Maria Von Trapp’s story is so intriguing that the movie has lasted the test of time. It is still watched by millions of viewers each holiday season. But before the film there was the Rodgers and Hammerstein play. Did you know that a lot of the facts were changed in order to fit their own narrative? What happened when the real Maria discovered that her life story was going to be told differently than it actually happened? What will Hammerstein do in order to appease Maria and prevent her from sabotaging his last play?

Hammerstein’s secretary, Fran, is tasked with speaking to Maria in order to find out why she is so upset with the script. Maria then details her real life story and attempts to convince the playwrights to change their script. Will Maria be a real life problem?

I listened to the audiobook read by Natasha Soudek and Eileen Stevens who do a phenomenal job with the narration as well as the Austrian accents. I cannot recommend this format enough!

I was amazed by how many inaccuracies actually exist in the Hollywood story of Maria. From the name changes of the characters, to the omition of others, to the change in the historical timeline, to the invention of the love story, viewers have been deceived for almost sixty years!

I especially appreciated the afternote that explains what happened to all of the Von Trapps.

I highly recommend this book to The Sound of Music aficionados. It’s fantastic!

5/5 stars

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has written a gorgeous story that will ring in the hearts of those who adore The Sound of Music, who want to know more about the family's complicated matriarch. I loved the narrative that flows like honey, the dual timeline structure that allows us to follow Maria's life as she lived it in Austria, then as she retells it to a fictional assistant to lyricist Oscar Hammerstein in the 1950s, when he was working on a Broadway musical about the von Trapp family.

MARIA the book is as extraordinary as her namesake in that we get to see this beloved woman flaws and all. We find that she wasn't the kind one in the family; her husband was. We learn that as a child, she lived with an abusive uncle, which led to her become controlling, which later alienated her children. We also learn that she married Captain von Trapp because she loved those children. She came to love him later. And, the family did not escape the Germans by hiking over the alps to Switzerland. They took a train to Italy, actually the last train out of Austria when Hitler closed the borders. We see this complex woman as never before.

As soon as I finished MARIA, I watched the film for the umpteenth time and felt overjoyed by both experiences. I give MARIA endless applause and a standing ovation. The Sound of Music and historical fiction fans will love it!

[Susan (on hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The master storyteller, Michelle Moran, makes a phenomenal come back with a surprising story of Maria von Trapp who was glamorized in The Sound of Music. However, this story gives stage to Maria who tells her side of the story; a woman who was larger than life, who knew what she wanted and went after it.

The story begins with Maria already in NYC in the 1950s confronting Oscar Hammerstein about the lyrics he wrote for a musical based on her life. As Maria expresses her concerns to Oscar’s secretary, she reveals her true story, more complicated and compelling than the glamorized version.

The story goes back to 1926 Salzburg, Austria, where the nineteen year old Maria is a teacher at convent. When this place becomes her home and children like her family, after two years, she is asked to take an assignment. It doesn’t make her happy to leave this homelike feeling place. Something she craved to have from her childhood. But she is promised it’s only for ten months.

When the war hero who loses his wife to scarlet fever asks for a teacher for his seven children, Maria is recognized as the best teacher. Thus, she is asked to take this assignment. The thought of taking orders from a man makes Maria shiver. And she drifts to her childhood story revealing why.

As the story moves backwards, it reveals the traumatic childhood. With each page, the dimensions are breathed into the rebellious character who seeks warmth and family atmosphere. The progressing pages reveal more, that despite Maria’s challenging childhood, her spirit remains joyful as she likes to skip steps, climb the roofs and hop over the chimneys, and tickle people to make them laugh. All that seen as improper at the convent but what makes Maria stand out is her ability to sing and teach children the most songs.

At the von Trapp family’s villa, Maria’s spirit continues to shine despite strict rules of aristocratic traits. She uses a curtain to create dresses for children to play in, something comfortable. They hike when it shines, and sing inside when it rains. Within the short time, not only children get attached to her but also the father. The expected ten months turn into unexpected lifetime with the von Trapp but the happy lives are challenged by financial downfall, war, and exodus.

As it often happens, in hard times, the soulful music becomes balm. That’s how the family faces challenges with music at home, which takes them to an appearance at the music festival, which further sparks the interest of others and gives start to their tours and the legendary movie.

This is a deeply touching story of a remarkable woman who despite life’s challenges remains joyful and kind. Her youthful spirit is contagious which can be felt throughout the pages. With simple prose, this story takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and remarkable spirit.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[*TUDOR^QUEEN* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was invited to read this by the publisher, and instantly accepted after having been lured in by the book cover. I have a vague memory as a small child of seeing the movie "The Sound of Music" starring Julie Andrews as Maria Von Trapp. I don't remember a lot of it other than the beginning when Maria spins slowly in her dress, arms aloft, and bursts into song, the gorgeous mountainous backdrop behind her, in addition to some catchy songs from the soundtrack. It hearkens back to a much simpler and wholesome time. Even so, I wasn't particularly eager to read it. So what a welcome surprise that this turned out to be such an engaging and charming offering!

The premise is that composer/lyricist team Rodgers and Hammerstein are producing the theatrical musical version on Broadway in NYC in the late 1950s, and Maria Von Trapp has an ax to grind about the accuracy of the script. She travels to confront them and set the story straight, and she must be handled with kid gloves in case she would give them bad press. Hammerstein's underling Fran is tasked with meeting with Maria Von Trapp to document her concerns, and these launch Von Trapp into telling her life story, from how she became a postulant at the nunnery in Austria, to becoming a teacher for "The Captain's" youngest daughter recovering from scarlet fever at their stately home- etc., etc. I don't want to give away too much for those who don't know the story. Well, the fact is I didn't know a lot of the story, and so was enchanted "hearing" Maria's point of view. Her character was portrayed so authentically. This was an unexpected hit with me as I barreled through this lovely story in a short few days. It has inspired me to watch the movie again (half a century later!) to see how this book marries up with the iconic film version. One of my favorite books of 2024 so far!

Thank you to the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the movie Sound of Music, and read a lot of books By Maria Von Trapp, this was a good read.

[Taury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria by Michelle Moran is a historical fiction novel centered on the life of Maria von Trapp, the woman behind The Sound of Music. The story tells of Maria’s reality with the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical. I recently read the Christmas memoir of Maria von Trapp, Aunt Sass Christmas Stories by PL Travers. One of my favorite memories every Thanksgiving, The Sound of Music would be on TV. I looked forward to watching every year. Learning more about this movie and the characters behind it was so interesting.

[Heidi (can’t retire soon enough) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hardest book to review in a really long time! Why? Because I’m a huge Sound of Music fan and if you don’t want to know the real story of Maria and the Von Trapp family… then continue to picture Maria and the Count as the characters portrayed in my favorite childhood movie musical. And definitely don’t read this book— I wouldn’t call this a “spoiler” review but I learned things I never knew that “spoiled” the innocence that captured my 5-yr-old heart when I watched the movie.
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Welcome back— this books introduces Maria Von Trapp as a real woman with a wealth of personality strengths and weaknesses. Not unlike any person who was mischaracterized by Hollywood, but in the case, more like the nun she never became. She had a terrible childhood and I suspect her dream of becoming a nun was as much about leaving her home and needing to “belong” somewhere she would feel loved. As we all know, instead she became the second wife of the Baron Von Trapp after bonding with his seven (?) mother-less children (they had a few of their own— no doubt I’ll now be conflating the movie and movie forever so forgive some of my memory lapses.) Did you know there oldest wasn’t a girl (she didn’t want the 16 going on 17 song or Louisa’s storyline in the movie) but it was Hollywood and that’s just one of many movie moments that never happened in real life. When you meet Maria in this book, she is angry about how her family’s truth has been dramatized, but you will come to learn that the real crime of that movie may have been how the Baron was portrayed.

In the movie, Plummer’s Baron Von Trapp seems devoid of passion and his slow wooing of the nanny takes most of the movie. In real life, Maria’s Baron was both a dashing figure in society and an Austrian hero. You learn that while he is wooing another woman (not a Baroness but a socialite who doesn’t want the kids) he is drawn to Maria’s innocence and youthful beauty. But the real pull may have been how she truly comforted his children and found a way to make a family in his home.

It’s hard to say if his love for Maria was deep and everlasting or situational— the truth was his young children needed a mother and he is portrayed as a kind, loving father who is also a brilliant, educated man. Later, with financial troubles and health woes, he (and their children) suffer under the will of his headstrong wife. (With a temper).

In Maria’s case, her growing love for the children combined with the Baron’s dashing figure and romantic figure definitely turned her head. She was a devout Catholic, who was innocent in the ways of love and after he own childhood, who can blame her. That said, I don’t think anyone would disagree that she held that family together (along with a wonderful priest who held the key to the family’s survival, not the made up Uncle Max).

Hard telling if their marriage would have lasted; Maria wasn’t a good fit for society and it sounds as if some cracks in the marriage showed. Maria, especially as she matured, could be a sharp, shrewish woman when angry. By the time the Nazi party started hounding the Baron to take a position with their regime, flight from Austria was inevitable. The book covers the real events and their arrival in America as the Singing Von Trapps and Maria’s voracious passion for being on stage with her family intact offered shades of Mama Rose. Though to be fair to her, her perseverance, especially once they had fled Austria, kept her family fed and clothed. Sadly, most of the older children forfeited much of their own personal decisions to Maria’s insistence they must remain together (and we’re talking into their 30s and beyond).

I remind myself that this book is also fictional, however, it is a known fact that the children boycotted the movie premier for one reason— they were angry about how their father was portrayed on screen compared with their mother.

Part of why this review is tough to write is that this really isn’t a book about Maria, rather it’s a book of how the classic movie by Roger’s and Hammerstein was finished, despite the agonizing by Maria over the script and storyline. Readers will meet some of the young staff who worked for this famous musical dual and much of the book is about how one of the young production assistants is assigned to “deal with Mrs Von Trapp” so that the rest of the production team can get the movie finished without her interference. With the production assistant comes a side story about office romance and politics, and oh yeah, girl power plus life lessons related to love and loss. Too much unnecessary plot for this reader!

Aside from the book’s emphasis on how cutthroat movie making can be for young women in the 1960s, this book worked best when it focused on Maria’s story. I may not have liked learning she’s was complicated person who could be hard to like at times, but it felt authentic (and ultimately a little sad) for this reader.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've always believed that the life of Maria von Trapp was only that which was idealized in The Sound of Music, then think again. This new novel by Michelle Moran is a fascinating, honest and richly woven story about Maria and her world-famous family, as well as the entertainment industry in the 1950s.

I chose to read this book for two reasons:
1. Michelle Moran has long been a favorite historical fiction author of mine, and
2. I have always loved the movie The Sound of Music, since the time I was a little girl.

In 1959, in New York City, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein are in the process of putting the final touches on their newest Broadway musical The Sound of Music when much to their chagrin the actual Maria von Trapp shows up to tell them what is wrong with the script. Told in dual timelines, Maria meets with Mr. Hammerstein's secretary several times to reveal the inconsistencies between the script and what actually happened in real life. The film and the play were to be a story that was "loosely based" on Maria's life story, but Maria and her family were concerned that people would assume that it was all true. Unfortunately, for them, Maria had sold the rights to her story to a German company which was then sold to Mary Martin (who would play Maria on stage) and her husband, Richard Halliday. Twentieth Century Fox would eventually be allowed to film a movie using the same script. Maria received 3/8 of one percent of the profits!

Beginning with a flashback to Austria in the early 1900s readers learn, much like in the original movie, how Maria became a part of the von Trapp family. By 1937, the renamed Trapp Family Choir had become known as "the most talented family in Europe" while traveling extensively and meeting Kings and Queens and the Pope.

Though The Sound of Music became a resounding success and was a "feel good" play and movie, life does not always imitate art and their lives were not all hearts, roses (or edelweiss), and music. The story reveals what happened to the family once the Nazis took over Austria and the von Trapp family took asylum in America and how Maria's drive and ambition caused the family to fall apart. (Sigh)

The author does an astounding job of retelling the parts of the story that we have all come to know and love as well as the truth of Maria's traits and true character and the family's struggles. I especially appreciated all of the additional information that was included in the Author's Note at the end of the book and the update of what happened to each of the family members.

My sincere thanks to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this beautiful novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. Publication date: July 30, 2024.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve enjoyed the movie or musical “The Sound of Music” this is the book for you. I would also recommend this to learn more about that interesting period in history. MARIA is a fictional tale based on Maria von Trapp. It gives you those nostalgic “I remember when” feels in that it takes you back to the first time you watched it, to a place and time that felt magical, an experience that felt unlike any other.

In the 50’s Rogers and Hammerstein were asked to write the lyrics to a new musical based on the life of a woman, Maria von Trapp. Maria wanting her life to be depicted correctly went to see Hammerstein, but instead was sent to his secretary whom she relayed her life’s story to. The book goes back and forth between Maria telling the actual story of her life, and the time of when the musical was being written in the 1950's.

If you’re wondering what is truth and what is fiction in the musical, this will help curb that curiosity. Maria’s real story is that of a young woman who lived a tragic life fighting tooth and nail to keep her family safe and intact. You will understand Maria in a different context than what Hollywood told. Moran has written such a fascinating story that I immediately wanted to rewatch the movie after finishing the book. Excellent. ❥ 4.5 stars — 7/30/24

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

[Moonkiszt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always a joy to me to have the excuse to revisit all things "Maria" - whether it is the tarted up (not an insult!) beloved musical movie, the Broadway play, Maria's actual autobiography, their website, visits to where they lived and walked (or performed), finding another book? - well that's a bonus. (Another bonus is the Where Are They Now section at book's end.) Even better - the book tells her story from new perspectives: hers (with origins and backstory info), and the ballet that was Hammerstein and Maria's staff-managed conversation about all the ways the writers of the play script (and maybe music) had her story wrong and how he could correct them. That's the best stuff of this book - the insider's jam. The story we see onscreen or onstage isn't Maria's - it's BASED on Maria's. She's not Julie, and Georg isn't Christopher - but that isn't the point of this book. It's closer to the truth - but as the author states at the end, her book too is a retelling, not a biography.

My guess is this read will appeal most to those who are fans of Maria, her family, their all&everything taken by the Nazis - this reluctant celebrity who rose up out of a convent to turn that pesky fame into a way to keep her family together. . .with all the ribbons of history that wrap around them. In this read we get the real Maria - and she's the one at the heart of the truth. For me that's all the ribbons and all the stars.

*A sincere thank you to Michelle Moran, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #Maria #NetGalley 25|52:51a

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone knows and loves the Sound of Music. Not sure I wanted to know anything that differed from the classic tale. But I guess that was the point. Maria Von Trapp was upset that the musical did not reflect important parts and impressions of her story, and wanted to shift the record. But that is where art and life intertwine, no? I enjoyed the book, but was slightly unsettled. I still and will always love this classic movie.

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

MARIA: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran is an engaging biographical historical fiction novel that takes the reader on a journey into the real life of Maria von Trapp compared to the Maria von Trapp portrayed in The Sound of Music. It is a story that is fictionalized and yet still is able to demonstrate the truth of a life is usually more complicated.

Oscar Hammerstein is asked to compose the music for a Broadway play based on the life of Maria von Trapp and her singing family. While it is an inspirational story, it must be condensed for the stage and when Maria sees the script, she is very angry and wants to confront Hammerstein. Hammerstein sends his secretary, Fran, to meet with Maria and find out what she objects to in the musical.

Fran is excited to meet Maria and as she listens to Maria’s life story they become unlikely friends over the week of conversations, but she knows it is too late to change the musical and worries that Maria could cause problems with the press. She begins to understand why Maria is upset, so she writes her report hoping Mr. Hammerstein can do something.

This story is one that you will want to curl up on the couch with and read in one sitting. The differences between the real Maria and the Maria of The Sound of Music are fascinating. She was not an easy woman by any means after a difficult childhood and yet it was her ambition, resilience, and grit that got the family through many difficult times. Families are complicated. I also found the snippets of Oscar Hammerstein’s life interesting. I know that whenever I watch the movie again, I will still love it for what it is, a fun musical movie, but it is not what the real-life von Trapp’s experienced, and their lives were much more complicated than what you see on the screen.

I highly recommend this compelling biographical historical fiction novel!

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Hills are alive with the sound of music”. As I read this book the beautiful music was in my head . Unfortunately, I never saw the theater production, but saw the movie many times. I need to see the movie again.
This is the story of the real Maria von Trapp
When Rogers and Hammerstein are writing the lyrics to the musical based on Maria von Trapp’s life, Maria reads the script. She becomes furious, they have it all wrong. She demands changes be made to the script.
She tells her story to Fran Hammerstein’s Secretary. It was interesting to learn that Maria was so different in real life, and her husband was the exact opposite as he was portrayed.
I have read many books by Michelle Moran her writing is just beautiful. This is a compelling story of the truth behind the musical.
I thank Goodreads and Random House/Dell for this complimentary print copy of his book. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway program.

[Debbie Gill-ty Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The novel read like a breath of fresh air. I’ve always been a fan of the movie The Sound Of Music. A great chunk of the book followed the storyline from the theater, but this book also shed light on some realities that the movie did not depict. Maria has written three memoirs on the actual events of her life and this book reveals that she was more the disciplinarian of the children life’s than the Captain was. The movie had reversed their roles.
Maria actually confesses she was hard on the children with the music performances that were required of the kids. The youngest child was about six when the rebellion started over not wanting to sing with the von Trapp family choir. Maria would have none of that! They performed at least thirty concerts throughout various countries, evading war circumstances. This was alot on these 9 children traveling on a family bus.
This tells Maria’s story up until the time she was middle age, when the children have grown up, so there is much more of her life to explore.
The story flips between two time eras and begins with Maria very disgruntled as a middle age woman. It begins, Hammerstein has taken on the play of the von Trapp family to produce on Broadway. Maria does not like the things they have changed in the script. It does not tell the true story of the von Trapp family in some scenes. Maria meets with Fran, a representative of Hammerstein and voices her complaints hoping to crush the misleading scenes. So the book flips back and forth between this current time and back to the earlier timeline.
The lyrics Hammerstein created for the song’s in this story was spellbinding for me. He was so talented. The epic song Edelweiss was the last lyrics he wrote before dying of cancer. I could reread this novel many times as it reveals a special story and time to me.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have adored “The Sound of Music” movie since I was a little girl. I’ve seen it many times, listened to the soundtrack record on my parents’ Hi-Fi; basically I have it memorized. When I read Maria’s autobiography as a kid, it was a disappointment, because it wasn’t the same story as the movie (No Gretel, no Liesel, etc.) I don’t think I even ever finished it…
Fast-forward to present-day:
The gorgeous cover of the Netgalley ARC caught my eye first. Then the description intrigued me; I wanted to know why the real-life Maria was not a fan of the script of the play. Incensed, was the word used. Once I started reading, I found myself thinking, “Oh, that’s why that was in the movie!”, quite often. Enough to where, by the end, the differences between the real story and the screenplay didn’t bother me anymore. My “favorite things” were still there; a captain with seven children, all of whom are still grieving the loss of their mother, are driving away governess after governess. Maria manages to bring some light back into the household, by loosening many of the tight reins of perfect behavior exacted on the kids. Yep, she really did teach them how to play and be children, in clothes made of drapes! The family did have good reason to flee Hitler’s Austria, and did escape narrowly.
So, by the end , I was very satisfied with this book! I will definitely by a print copy at the end of July, and enjoy it again. ( And, I’m sure a “Sound of Music” movie night will be in the near future!)
**I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.**

[Keri Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sound of Music is the first movie I remember seeing in a movie theater. I remember my grandma had the album and listening to the Soundtack at her house. I loved it so much that later she bought me my own album and I wore it out listening to it on my little portable record player. As a kid, it would be so exciting when it was on tv once a year, like The Wizard of Oz. Before vhs or dvd’s.

I don’t remember when I realized it was based on a true story, or when I realized later that the story was fictionalized and not completely accurate. I know I read Maria Von Trapp’s book that was published and found it interesting. But this book seems like a wonderful mix of both of those experiences. It talks about the fun of the story as they are developing the play, and as Rodgers and Hammerstein are writing the joyful songs I grew up loving.

But it also tells the real story. Some of the wonderful parts of the movie, like Maria sewing play clothes for the kids out of curtains really did happen. And she loved the children whose life she became a part of, and she brought music into their lives. But she was also a strict woman who could be cold at times. She drove the family, which was instrumental in their survival… but touring was hard and some of the children resented it.

As the play is being finalized, Maria visits, determined that they need to rewrite it. Her main concern is that her husband is portrayed as a stern disciplinarian and cold, which was not accurate. The children had been hurt by that portrayal in an earlier German movie, and she wanted the record set straight. She develops an unlikely relationship with a young woman who works with Hammerstein, and shares her real story with her. In the end, it relieved my heart that Maria made peace with the movie.

I’ve always wanted to visit Salzburg, and had it planned as part of a trip. However, while visiting my son and daughter-in-law to be in Vienna, we all came down with Covid and had to cancel our side trip. It’s on my list for my next visit! I know the Austrians don’t view the movie favorably, but it’s been such a part of my life that I’m ok knowing it’s a blend of truth and fiction. If you’ve also enjoyed it… I think you’ll enjoy this book (I listened to the audiobook).

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The irony is not lost on me that this is a fictionalized account of a woman who objected to... a fictionalized account of her life. And yet! Michelle Moran nailed it. I thought the story was beautifully done, gently and sensitively handled, and finely balanced between the lovable and the difficult parts of Maria's character.
Anyone who has seen The Sound of Music can probably recall the main story beats--the stern disciplinarian captain, the ray of sunshine Maria, the seven singing children, and the daring getaway over the mountains to Switzerland. In the frame story of this book, Hammerstein's young assistant meets with Maria von Trapp to discuss her concerns over the production's accuracy. Maria peels back the layers of invention to tell her own story. Some of the events in the musical turn out to be real; others are complete fabrication. Maria's own story is engaging and it tugs at the heartstrings in different ways than the musical.
At first, I was skeptical about whether I could rely on the accuracy in this book any more than The Sound of Music. After all, fictionalizing a story means that imagination is at work. By the end of the story, though, I came to appreciate the author's carefulness. Her research seems impeccable, and there were a number of primary sources for her to draw from, even for events that I wondered about.

Lovely read if you like musicals, mountain settings, 20th century history, and strong but sometimes challenging female protagonists.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell and Netgalley for this digital review copy!

[MAP · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4, because I want to give credit to how quickly and easily I read the book during a time where I'm not quickly or easily doing anything.

Michelle Moran tackles another historical woman, this time Maria von Trapp, following her life from her early childhood through the premier of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Sound of Music on Broadway. There is a framing device set in 1959 where Maria tells her story to a staff member of Hammerstein's, to convince them to make the musical more accurate, so the POV switches between "Fran" (the framing device character) and Maria's memories from the 1920s and 1930s. And although I kind of understand the purpose of the framing device, it adds a lot of extra bulk for the little bit of benefit it gives. It also means that there are large swaths of Maria's life that are not told through her POV but through Fran's hearing of it, which is a...little bit of a distant way to tell a story? Despite being set in 1959, Maria's story, as told by her, functionally ends when the family escapes Austria, despite there being 20 years of life lived in America between then and when the framing device begins. It's not perfect, but as I said it's an easy read that kept my attention.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine working at Rogers and Hammerstein in New York in 1959. Maria Augusta Kutschera von Trapp has written a letter to Oscar Hammerstein and wants a face-to-face meeting to discuss the upcoming Broadway musical based on "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers." As an employee, Fran Connelly is assigned to take Maria to lunch at the St. Regis, listen to Maria's concerns, and write up a report. Imagine the conversation with Maria. Maria of the Trapp Family Singers. Maria. Just imagine.

If you've just imagined that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you've watched "The Sound of Music" movie like me, not just once but too many times to count. If you have had the joy of spending a long weekend in Stowe, Vermont, in late summer at the von Trapp Lodge. Imagine how excited you are to learn of this novel. Imagine how thrilled you are when your gifted copy from the author arrives in the mail. Imagine the excitement of the stunning book mail envelope arriving directly from the publisher. Imagine being mesmerized beyond measure, captivated within the pages, as the chapters alternate POVs of Fran and Maria.

What truly sets this novel apart is the meticulous research that underpins every page. The author's commitment to accuracy is evident and seamlessly woven with her creativity, resulting in a beautifully written, well-crafted novel that is awe-inspiring. Delving deeper into Maria von Trapp's life story adds unparalleled depth to one's understanding. It lifts the curtain, offering readers an exclusive glimpse into the intricacies and enigmas of Maria's life. While it differs from the movie many of us have viewed countless times, it is no less mesmerizing. The allure of both stage and screen endures, as does Michelle Moran's novel, in its exquisite revelation of the truth of an extraordinary woman.

I highly recommend the Author's Note and "Whatever Happened To… features as essential parts of the reading experience. Book clubs will appreciate the inclusion of Discussion Questions.

Thank you to Michelle Moran and Penguin Random House for the gifted paperback.

[Melissa’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Monica Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever seen the Sound of Music you HAVE to read this book! As a young girl I watched the Sound of Music many times, so when I saw this book was coming out and it was by one of my favorite historical fiction writers I had to read it. It was everything I hoped for and more. I learned so much about the von Trapp family and about Maria's life. I cried when I read about the difficult upbringing Maria faced and her desire to have a stable home. Their life in Austria and the struggles Maria faced in becoming a step mother to so many children was nothing I had really thought about when watching the musical. I had no idea just how much the war had impacted their family or how difficult their real life may have been. The story was fascinating and I devoured it all.

The book also features Fran who is tasked with hearing about Maria's story so Maria doesn't create waves when the musical premieres. I enjoyed reading about her story and her interactions with Hammerstein. 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 book is a MUST READ! I loved it and I really think anyone who has ever watched the Sound of Music will find it just as fascinating as I did.

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

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fully recognize that I am THE target audience for this delight of a novel as I have LONG been fascinated by the Von Trapp family, and Maria in particular, and "The Sound of Music" is one of my all time favorite films. I can sing every song and quote most of the dialogue. My sweet Nana passed along her love of the film to me when I was young and my Mom and I have watched it together numerous times. In fact, when we were in Salzburg, we took the Sound of Music Tour and saw sights like the Gazebo, the "Do Re Mi" fountain, and the church where Maria and Captain Von Trapp were married. It was magical! But, this novel only added to my love of the film and the fascination with the Von Trapp family.
This novel follows the creation & production of "The Sound of Music" for Broadway as Rodgers & Hammerstein are completing their music & lyrics to accompany this big hearted, family story. The famous duo receive a concerning letter from Maria Von Trapp wanting to set some facts straight before her story makes its way on stage, and so, one of their secretaries, Fran, is selected to meet with Maria and the 2 immediately hit it off! Fran is mesmerized (and so was I) as Maria recollects various parts of her story - aspects that do make it into the play and later in the film and places where the producers clearly took creative license. I was in awe of the aspects that were included in the script and the moments that were edited or completely removed. It will only add to my enjoyment of the film the next time I watch it.
This novel was very well done, had lots of historical detail, and clearly was well researched and a topic the author cares about deeply.
Absolutely gobbled it up and loved every minute! A personal favorite for the year, for sure!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran is a great historical fiction that delves into the real story of the family within the famous movie The Sound of Music.

I have always loved this movie, and for those that are huge fans, this book is for you.

I really liked how the author was able to present the truth and what really happened vs fiction and legend that has been created concerning this family and the infamous movie and characters that were created. I have been shying away from any historical fiction that has more than one timeline due to burnout, however this method definitely works and I am glad I looked over my initial hesitation.

The pacing, the presentation, and the things I learned while reading this gem made for a wonderful time.

Highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/30/24.