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Memories Before and After the Sound of Music: An Autobiography
The heartwarming true story of the family made legendary by
The Sound of Music
—as told by Agathe, the eldest von Trapp daughter.
The Sound of Music has captivated generations with its inspiring story of courage, love, music, and familial devotion. Audiences the world over have taken the von Trapp family into their hearts, joyfully celebrating their many triumphs and their d ...more
The Sound of Music has captivated generations with its inspiring story of courage, love, music, and familial devotion. Audiences the world over have taken the von Trapp family into their hearts, joyfully celebrating their many triumphs and their d ...more
Paperback
,
212 pages
Published
September 14th 2010
by William Morrow Paperbacks
(first published June 1st 2003)
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Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,059)
Mar 19, 2014
Catherine
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Young girls
Shelves:
moonreader
I have always been a fan of "The Sound of Music"...the stage musical, the Julie Andrews film, the soundtrack. I even watched the Carrie Underwood production on TV, certain that it would be embarrassingly bad (it was good!). Yes, I know that all productions were 'inspired' by the story of the Trapp Family Singers.
For those few of you who are perhaps unaware that productions tend to take license to greatly embellish the truth of the stories they are portraying, allow me to to recommend this memoir ...more
For those few of you who are perhaps unaware that productions tend to take license to greatly embellish the truth of the stories they are portraying, allow me to to recommend this memoir ...more
view all 3 comments
Oct 30, 2010
The Library Lady
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adult-biography
People who say that "The Sound of Music" was treacly should avoid diabetic coma by avoiding this book. Agathe von Trapp is very anxious to let us all know that "The Sound of Music" wasn't the real story of the family, and to set the record straight. Unfortunately by doing so, she makes the true story so staid and sweet that you can understand why, as her stepmother Maria said in her own book "You must allow Hollywood a little Hollywooding".
Maria's own The Story of the Trapp Family Singers certai ...more
Maria's own The Story of the Trapp Family Singers certai ...more
The "truthiness" of
The Sound of Music
never really occurred to me in any direct way; even when I was told it was "based on a true story", I took that with a large grain of salt.
So when I came across Memories Before and After the Sound of Music in my library's collection, I was intrigued! I wanted to make myself more familiar with the truth behind the story. It was a movie I enjoyed, and I'm always interested in seeing how storytellers straddle the line between art and fact. What had been stret ...more
So when I came across Memories Before and After the Sound of Music in my library's collection, I was intrigued! I wanted to make myself more familiar with the truth behind the story. It was a movie I enjoyed, and I'm always interested in seeing how storytellers straddle the line between art and fact. What had been stret ...more
Overall an interesting read, especially to see how vastly different the truth is from what the world learned from the movie and musical. I liked reading of the family's history. I liked seeing their devotion to each other and hearing of their faith. The book took me so long because I didn't feel as drawn to it, and I was highly distracted by my fractured fairy tale phase.
I felt the parts in the beginning really dragged, and then the end felt like it was rushing. Much of the book felt like an ol ...more
I felt the parts in the beginning really dragged, and then the end felt like it was rushing. Much of the book felt like an ol ...more
Feb 10, 2012
Brittany
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Maybe...maybe diehard Sound of Music fans.
How I Came To Read This Book: My parents got it for me in the states - I believe there was some article in the paper because she had just passed away, so they read it and knowing I'm a huge fan of The Sound Of Music, got it for me.
The Plot: This is the autobiography of the eldest Von Trapp daughter - although not the eldest child, a departure from the play / film - Agathe, who would in theory be 'Liesl' in the fictionalized version of the Von Trapp family's lives. It details Agathe's family his ...more
The Plot: This is the autobiography of the eldest Von Trapp daughter - although not the eldest child, a departure from the play / film - Agathe, who would in theory be 'Liesl' in the fictionalized version of the Von Trapp family's lives. It details Agathe's family his ...more
I've read Maria Trapp's autobiography (and adore it), so I already knew that the film was pretty much entirely a fabrication and Maria was not exactly a nice person. I still liked her, flaws and all, but she is definitely not even remotely like the film's Maria. So when this randomly popped up in an unrelated search for a patron, I put a hold on it.
Agathe isn't the smoothest writer - it felt very oral narrative. Her drawings were seriously charming, though. It was interesting to read her perspec ...more
Agathe isn't the smoothest writer - it felt very oral narrative. Her drawings were seriously charming, though. It was interesting to read her perspec ...more
Jul 20, 2015
Linda
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
from-library
,
nonfiction
The author recently died increasing the continual interest in her family from anyone who can belt out any of the songs from "The Sound Of Music" by heart. Agathe von Trapp is the eldest daughter and second child.
She spends most of the book telling us about her real mother, not stepmother Maria who pushed the family. Agathe wants to set the record straight about her father as opposed to how he is depicted in the movie.
The book is illustrated with charming sketches done by the author. The book fa ...more
She spends most of the book telling us about her real mother, not stepmother Maria who pushed the family. Agathe wants to set the record straight about her father as opposed to how he is depicted in the movie.
The book is illustrated with charming sketches done by the author. The book fa ...more
I think that Agathe Von Trapp wanted to set the record straight about what really happened to inspire the Sound Of Music and I'm so glad I read this book. Hollywood can have their way with a story sometimes without giving true respect to the people that inspired it. I do not think that Agathe is an excellent writer, but I admire the memories she shared and her desire to tell people the truth about her family.
They were not chased by the Germans before leaving Austria, and instead of climbing ove ...more
They were not chased by the Germans before leaving Austria, and instead of climbing ove ...more
I was looking for a book to accompany my visit to Salzburg. Having already read Maria von Trapp's books years ago, I picked up this one, written by the real eldest daughter of the Trapp family (sort of the equivalent to the fictional Liesl). I am willing to give the author a bit of leeway, as she wrote this book in her old age and published it when she was over ninety. However, truthfully, the book is rather insipid. Her main objective seems to identify what was true, as compared to the fictiona
...more
Agathe von Trapp's book is, again, another angle to look at the Trapp family / Sound of Music story. It's interesting. Of course, I also skipped pages (as others state in their reviews), but isn't this what most biographies make you do? Other people's lives are always only interesting to a certain extent. I wouldn't hold this against the author. I imagined her a charming old lady telling us about her youth as a family choir singer and her irritation and surprise at the hype a movie caused that p
...more
Growing up, I loved watching The Sound of Music. I haven't seen it in years but would like to watch it again soon. The cover of the book caught my eye at the library and I snatched it up.
This book tries to cover many years in only a few pages. As a result, the book never feels like it breaks the surface of the von Trapp family. The book is extremely clean, very upbeat, and makes it sound as if the family never struggles with any of their circumstances. Maybe that's true; maybe they did go throug ...more
This book tries to cover many years in only a few pages. As a result, the book never feels like it breaks the surface of the von Trapp family. The book is extremely clean, very upbeat, and makes it sound as if the family never struggles with any of their circumstances. Maybe that's true; maybe they did go throug ...more
Another interesting look at the real von Trapp family, this time through the memories of the oldest daughter Agathe. Agathe, who died less than two years ago at 97, tells the stories of the von Trapp family before Maria came into their lives, as well as about the concerts and tours that would change their lives and fortunes. In addition to her memories, told in an engaging style, there are many photographs of the family and Agathe's own sketches included (she was a good artist) throughout. Again
...more
A nice thorough account of the von Trapp family before the Broadway musical and then movie, The Sound of Music, was made. It is interesting in some parts to see how the movie got it right or wrong, but for the most part it's a very dry account of a seemingly idyllic life. It seemed like there was very little emotional attachment to these memories. Everything was always just great, even when their mother died or they had to leave Austria because of the Anschluss. It never seemed to be a sad or tr
...more
Although there were some interesting parts, the book was mostly dry. I found myself skimming often. The author has a clear distaste for the movie and stage production of their story, and in many instances I sensed a dislike of Maria (their second mother). I love the movie so I enjoyed reading some of the back story, but this was mostly a stiff, uninteresting read for me.
I was so surprised to read this book and find that the real story of the Family Von Trapp was very different than what was portrayed in the movie The Sound of Music. I thought there might have been some creative changes but it was drastically different.
This book is written by the daughter of Captain Von Trapp and his first wife. It chronicles their life from the beginning and follows into the 2000's.
This book is written by the daughter of Captain Von Trapp and his first wife. It chronicles their life from the beginning and follows into the 2000's.
A simple, but interesting book about the von Trapp family history. Agathe von Trapp isn't a seasoned author and the book, with her simple sketches, reads plainly and unpolished. The story she delivers is still entertaining, much like a grandmother reciting stories to her grandchildren.
May 17, 2011
Elaine D
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
musical theater lovers
Recommended to Elaine by:
Minister at Church
This was so interesting to read mainly because I grew up LOVING the SOund of Music. It was one of the 3 movies that my Nana had at her house while I was growing up and my sister and I knew all the songs and watched it more times than I can count. I was interested to find that although i knew that the movie was based on a true story, many of the incidents from the movie were not real. Also, I was a little disappointed that Hollywood felt like the names and ages of the children needed to be change
...more
I very much enjoyed this book. After reading the book written by Maria Von Trapp, The Story Of The Von Trapp Family Singers, it was so interesting to read a different perspective of the same story.
Fascinating read.
Fascinating read.
Being a 'Sound of Music' buff, I was fascinated to read of the life of the Von Trapps prior to what we know. Agathe wrote this as an older woman, in part to rectify the image of her father as portrayed in the stage show and film. I needed to remember this book was written by a woman not of my generation or cultural background because I found some of the passive acceptance of events a bit hard to swallow. There was also a tendency to sugar coat things which only adds to the saccharine perception
...more
Meh, it was just OK.
I knew that the real story of the Von Trapps isn’t accurately portrayed in “The Sound of Music”; however after reading this book I see it was nothing close!
I’m disappointed because wanted more links to the movie - in fact, I think I was looking for a kind of “behind the scenes story” so I think therefore this was not the best book-choice to satisfy my curiosity.
The book “Forever Liesl” by Charmian Carr on my list of books to-read, I wish I had just read that one instead and ...more
I knew that the real story of the Von Trapps isn’t accurately portrayed in “The Sound of Music”; however after reading this book I see it was nothing close!
I’m disappointed because wanted more links to the movie - in fact, I think I was looking for a kind of “behind the scenes story” so I think therefore this was not the best book-choice to satisfy my curiosity.
The book “Forever Liesl” by Charmian Carr on my list of books to-read, I wish I had just read that one instead and ...more
I got this for a Christmas present and was excited to read it. It was ok. Interesting to read the true story, but it seemed a bit disjointed to me. Some of the stories could have used more details, and some less.
I LOVE The Sound Of Music, like so many millions of others. I've known for years the movie and musical were very different from the "real" story of the Von Ttapp Family Singers. This Agathe Von Trapp book gives more insight into their true story. It was a quick, easy, enjoyable read, It made me want to read Maria Von Trapp's book and the bibliography of Maria, though they may be long out of print. Agathe's book also included pictures of her family, from her great-grandmother thru Agathe's 85th b
...more
review
I enjoyed it and would recommend to someone interested in history. Using the library was convenient and easy to access.
I enjoyed it and would recommend to someone interested in history. Using the library was convenient and easy to access.
Read this entire little book on a plane trip visiting my mother-in-law who is a big fan of The Sound Of Music and the Von Trapp family, It's a sanitized version of what their life was like in Austria, before the war, and then their escape, not at all like the movie version. Their life traveling around America and eventually, the world as the singing Von Trapp family, was not easy, and they didn't make much money at all from the movie/ play versions of their life. That was one of saddest revelati
...more
The author is obviously not a writer...but as a fan of the movie, it was an interesting read.
I liked it. It had a lot of information about before her mother passed away and after.
Good background stories, but not very lyrical.
Loved this memoir/autobiography!
Overall, a well done memoir. Agathe has strong feelings about the Sound of Music and it's interesting to get her perspective.
This is a light easy read about the real life of the family von Trapp depicted in The Sound of Music. Their real life was much different and totally fascinating. There is hardly a corner of the world they did nto explore at one time or another. Their unity as a family is inspiring and admirable. They enjoyed priviledge and hardship, joy and pain but always met every situation with hope, faith and a song.
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