Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran
I’ve been a fan of Michelle Moran’s writing since reading her Egyptian Royals Collection, a historical fiction trilogy about Nefertiti, Nefetari, and Selene. So, you can understand my excitement when I received an early copy of Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp to read! Maria by Michelle Moran follows the story of Maria von Trapp, the protagonist famously played by Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. I was aware that I knew little of Maria or the von Trapps when I began the book, but I was shocked by the depth of the woman’s character, brought to life by Michelle Moran in her latest novel.
Release Date: July 30, 2024
Available for Pre-Order from Amazon and Bookshop.org.
About the Author, Michelle Moran
International bestselling author Michelle Moran is passionate about historical fiction. Inspired by travel and a love of archeology, Moran covers a range of historical fiction from ancient Egypt to, now, pre-war Austria. Maria is Moran’s eighth publication and will be released in summer of 2024. She currently lives in England with her family — and two adorable pups — and is researching for her ninth book. Give her a follow on Facebook here to learn more about her writing process!
Looking for more great historical fiction to read?
Read my review of Michelle Moran’s Egyptian Royals Collection here!
Plot Summary
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.
My Thoughts on Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp
Aside from having seen The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews, I knew next to nothing about Maria von Trapp — or the von Trapp family in general. Reading Maria was a fascinating experience for me for a few reasons.
First, I learned about the reality of the von Trapp family, especially the personality differences between what is seen in The Sound of Music versus real life. Second, Moran beautifully illustrated life in Austria pre-WWII, with interesting insights into the rise of the Nazi regime that can be seen with years of hindsight. Lastly, it was particularly interesting to learn about the work that went into producing the Rogers & Hammerstein Broadway musical, on which this book centers.
Michelle Moran did a fantastic job humanizing Maria von Trapp. She did not shy away from the woman’s flaws, and she painted a robust portrait of an idealized family who faced internal struggles alongside the political machinations of the WWII period. The book flowed well and was easy to follow, even with regular jumps between a few different time periods. In all, it left me curious to learn more about the family and the period in which they lived!
Where to Buy Maria by Michelle Moran
Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran is set for publication on July 30, 2024. It is available for pre-order from Amazon and Bookshop.org. Check out all of Michelle Moran’s historical fiction novels here.
This post is a part of my What to Read series, where I share themed reading lists and book guides based on genre, time period, theme, or author.
You can peruse more of my What to Read reading guides here!
*This novel was gifted to me as part of a review program that Cats & Coffee is a part of. I was not required to post about the novel in exchange for getting a copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my honest own.
