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.
About The Author
Michelle Moran is the international bestselling author of seven 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.
In 2012 Michelle was married in India, inspiring her seventh book, Rebel Queen, which is set in the East. Her hobbies include hiking, traveling, and archaeology. She is also fascinated by archaeogenetics, particularly since her children's heritages are so mixed. But above all these things Michelle is passionate about reading and can often be found with her nose in a good book. A frequent traveler, she currently resides with her husband, son, and daughter in the US. Her books have been translated into more than twenty languages.
My Review
A story that is fictional but based on fact. Yes, I like a lot of others "loved" The Sound of Music, and this is Maria's story.
Be sure to read the Author's Note, it does explain a lot, and we learn that a lot of this read is true! Sadly, some of the things a parent would love to change, but not possible!
This is a read to savor and enjoy, and find out some interesting facts about the Von Trapp family, I'm really glad that I chose to read this book! Not only did I enjoy this read, but it brought back such fond memories of the movie.
Yes, those drapes really did get cut up!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Random House Ballantine, and was not required to give a positive review.
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