A review by rachels_booknook
Maria by Michelle Moran

5.0

I’ve always loved The Sound of Music and I loved this book. 

In 1959, Maria Von Trapp is telling her life story to Fran, Oscar Hammerstein’s secretary, as he prepares to premiere The Sound of Music on Broadway. Maria is upset about misrepresentatations in the musical and wants them corrected. From Maria herself, we learn about her past before she came to live with the Von Trapps, as well as the true story behind the Von Trapps, and any similiarities or differences to the musical. After hearing Maria’s story, Fran notes that “it’s an unbelievable story…even more extraordinatry than what’s written in the play.” 

If you know The Sound of Music, you’ll see there are differences, but I actually think the musical stayed fairly close to the general story. Certain things like the oldest boy being turned into a girl, or speeding up the timeline, I think can be considered creative decisions. 

I love that the Von Trapp family was clear, both in the musical and real life, in their opposition to the Nazis. So much that they were willing to flee their home instead of aiding the Nazi’s in their murderous takeover of Europe. By refusing and criticizing the Nazi Party, the Von Trapps surely would have been sent to the camps, and likely died there. Maria actually saved the family by giving them a way out of Austria, through their singing career. In the novel, Captain Von Trapp says it so well to an acquaintance: “you need to decide if a party that sends its enemies to death camps is really worth dying for.” 

There was one change that did surprise me, about the way certain family members were portrayed in the musical. It was the biggest issue that Maria and her children had with the script. Their point, and rightfully so, was that most people will only know this family through the musical. But if you’re curious, I highly recommend this book.