The Story of the Trapp Family Singers

What is the author's style in The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp?

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Chances are that throughout her life Maria was asked by many people to write this book. Although the Trapp Family Singer's fame in the United States would equal the success of a one-hit-wonder—not at Superstar level, they are known enough to leave an impact. In her foreword, humorously titled the Chapter before the First, Maria admits to being over age forty when she wrote this book. The entire perspective is the author's and told in the first person.

On occasion, Maria attempts to fill in the mindset of those who surround her. She does not really succeed, because everyone else in her life, including the Captain, comes off like a secondary player. Her mentions of others are without depth. Rarely does she stand long enough in any other family member's shoes to give us a clearer understanding of what makes that person tick. She wears humility like a habit, but a certain egocentricity comes through with many unnecessary anecdotes and a little too much moralizing. This self-centeredness is exemplified in how the author depicts indifference when the Princess notices the children and the Captain being in various stages of infatuation with Maria. That the Captain is said to be in love with her is not a humble detail to include, although it is essential to the outcome of their story.

Source(s)

The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, BookRags