Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Maria: A Novel of Maria Von Trapp
Maria: A Novel of Maria Von Trapp | Michelle Moran
6 posts | 6 read | 1 reading | 5 to read
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 fascinated to learn about this Catholic novice who was living quietly as an Austrian nun until her abbey sent her away to teach a widowed baron's children. When the assignment turned into a marriage proposal and the family was forced to escape the Nazis, it was Maria who taught them to survive by using the power of their voices and song. It's an inspirational story, to be sure, and as half of the famous Rodgers & Hammerstein duo, Oscar knows Maria's story has big Broadway potential. But much of her life will have to be reinvented for the stage. With the horrors of war still fresh in people's minds, Hammerstein won't let audiences see just how close the von Trapps came to losing their lives. But when Maria sees the script, she is so incensed that she sets off to confront Hammerstein, who foists her off on Fran, his secretary. 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 and delivering a far grittier tale. Michelle Moran's hugely entertaining novel explores how Hammerstein grossly misinterpreted Maria's story and offers a more nuanced retelling. Maria is a powerful reminder that the truth is often more complicated--and certainly more compelling--than the stories immortalized by Hollywood.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
MemoirsForMe
post image
Pickpick

These are a few of my favorite things…🎶
🤩🙌🏻

PurpleyPumpkin I love The Sound of Music! I used to watch every time it was on TV. Now that I‘m a grownup, I have the DVDs. 😂 3mo
45 likes1 comment
review
robinb
post image
Pickpick

I enjoyed this fictional/nonfictional book about the real Maria von Trapp of The Sound of Music fame.
I found it interesting to hear more about some of the things that the playwriters/screenwriters embellished/altered from her story in order to make them more palatable and engaging for the audience…a big one being the depiction of her husband‘s stern demeanor. There were also some surprising revelations about Maria‘s own motivations and 🔻

robinb insecurities. The book presented her as more “human” with all the pros and cons that entails…both good and not so good attributes. She was a very strong, opinionated woman who led a fascinating and adventurous life filled with pain, love and ultimately triumph.

While it‘s always a little difficult to separate the fact from the fiction in these types of books, I do feel like I probably got a more well-rounded view of her life than I 🔻
4mo
robinb had previously known. I also enjoyed the “Whatever Happened to…” afterword that gave a brief updated glimpse into the main characters‘ lives portrayed in the book. 4.25/5⭐️ 4mo
42 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
TorieStorieS
post image
Pickpick

Though I wouldn‘t call THE SOUND OF MUSIC my favorite musical, my mom‘s, as well as my best friend‘s, passion for it has rubbed off over the years. And though it‘s weird to watch it now without having to get up to put in the second tape, this book brought fresh light and fun to the familiar story. I liked the dual timeline, the characters (both familiar & fresh), & of course, the story. I‘ll be buying this one as gifts for Christmas for sure!

Suet624 The two tapes! Yes! I remember that. 4mo
TorieStorieS @Suet624 I think our first tape was watched twice as much as the second, hahaha! I was just telling my husband that I am not sure if I have seen the ending more than a few times ever! 🤣 (edited) 4mo
Suet624 Haha. Yeah, first half is more carefree. I live next door to Stowe Vermont where the Trapp Family Lodge is. They just recently decided to embrace the soundtrack again. 4mo
See All 12 Comments
TorieStorieS @Suet624 Oh!! The lodge is mentioned a few times in this one, but not much detail! I didn‘t know anything at all about it! 4mo
Suet624 Maria lived here until she died. Her kids used to and now her grandkids run it. 4mo
TorieStorieS @Suet624 Oh wow!! The book made it sound more like a summer camp! Thanks for sharing the link! 4mo
Suet624 Hmmm. It might have been at some point but it‘s a very expensive lodge now. 4mo
Suet624 Well at least expensive for Vermonters. 4mo
TorieStorieS @Suet624 Probably more of a profit in that than running a singing summer camp for kids! 🤣 4mo
Suet624 Haha. For sure. It‘s really a beautiful spot. (edited) 4mo
TorieStorieS @Suet624 It looks like it from the website! 4mo
52 likes1 stack add12 comments
review
Reecaspieces
post image
Pickpick
38 likes2 stack adds
review
Aims42
post image
Pickpick

Themes: Historical Fiction based on Facts, The Sound of Music, Dual Timelines

OMG! OMG! OMG! I loved this book so much! I honestly could not put it down. It publishes July 30, 2024 - do not miss this one!!

jlhammar Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Look forward to giving it a try! 7mo
Aims42 @jlhammar This was my first book from this author and I thought she did a phenomenal job. I‘ll have to see if my library has her other works 7mo
37 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
Aims42
post image

I love #bookmail days!! I‘m trying to decide if I let my Mom borrow this to read first or I should keep it to read first? 🤪 It sounds so good!!!

jlhammar Oh fun! I‘ll be curious to hear what you think if it. 7mo
Aims42 @jlhammar 👍👍👍 I‘m trying (and already failing) to manage my expectations lol 7mo
36 likes2 comments