In September 1959, the Broadway musical of The Sound of Music was in the midst of rehearsals, getting ready for its upcoming premiere. Maria von Trapp had written to lyricist Oscar Hammerstein, expressing her concerns over the inaccuracies in the show, particularly regarding the portrayal of her husband, the Baron. She threatened to go to the media if changes were not made. Hammerstein asked his assistant, Fran, a promising writer, to meet with Maria. Through these meetings, the true story of Maria and the Von Trapp family is told.
Michelle Moran has done extensive research to bring us the enjoyable Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp. It was fascinating learning how the beloved show and the 1965 movie were adapted to deliver a sweet, uplifting story and how they deviated from reality. Maria's troubled childhood as well as the years after the family escaped Austria bring a new perspective to the Von Trapp story. The Sound of Music turned out to be Oscar Hammerstein's final musical. His presence in the book is not large but his great talent comes through. Having watched The Sound of Music numerous times on stage and screen, I found this engaging book perfectly suited for me. If you can still recall the lyrics to Edelweiss or My Favorite Things, then this book is a must-read for you.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for the opportunity to read this engaging book before its publication.
Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.
Historical Fiction.
Publication Date: July 30, 2024.
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