Overview
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.
“As immersive, heartbreaking, and ultimately redemptive as the musical . . . This one is not to be missed.”—Allison Pataki, author of Finding Margaret Fuller
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.
Review
We all know Maria. But do we really? Maria von Trapp has shown up to NYC to confront Oscar Hammerstein. She is very upset with his latest musical about her life. She ends up creating a friendship with his secretary, Fran. And Fran soon discovers almost everything she knew about Maria is false.
This is a well researched and awesome tale about a real life person we all know and love! Hollywood really fooled us! But, I still love Maria. She was raised in a horrible situation, escaped the Nazi’s, (barely) and just did the best she could. No, she was not perfect (like the movie portrays). She was human! And this book brings all that to life. She pushed her step kids into performing after they arrived in America, to the point that most of them disliked and hated singing.
While I was reading this book, I was steadily looking up the history surrounding Maria. How did I just assume Hollywood got it right???!! She was a strong, fascinating woman who loved fiercely and was determined to be the best.
Need a fantastic tale about a unique lady…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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