Soon to be a feature film from the creators of Downton Abbey starring Elizabeth McGovern, The Chaperone is a New York Times-bestselling novel about the woman who chaperoned an irreverent Louise Brooks to New York City in the 1920s and the summer that would change them both. Only a few years before becoming a famous silent-film star and an icon of her generation, a fifteen-year-old Louise Brooks … her generation, a fifteen-year-old Louise Brooks leaves Wichita, Kansas, to study with the prestigious Denishawn School of Dancing in New York. Much to her annoyance, she is accompanied by a thirty-six-year-old chaperone, who is neither mother nor friend. Cora Carlisle, a complicated but traditional woman with her own reasons for making the trip, has no idea what she’s in for. Young Louise, already stunningly beautiful and sporting her famous black bob with blunt bangs, is known for her arrogance and her lack of respect for convention. Ultimately, the five weeks they spend together will transform their lives forever.
For Cora, the city holds the promise of discovery that might answer the question at the core of her being, and even as she does her best to watch over Louise in this strange and bustling place she embarks on a mission of her own. And while what she finds isn’t what she anticipated, she is liberated in a way she could not have imagined. Over the course of Cora’s relationship with Louise, her eyes are opened to the promise of the twentieth century and a new understanding of the possibilities for being fully alive.
Drawing on the rich history of the 1920s, ’30s, and beyond—from the orphan trains to Prohibition, flappers, and the onset of the Great Depression to the burgeoning movement for equal rights and new opportunities for women—Laura Moriarty’s The Chaperone illustrates how rapidly everything, from fashion and hemlines to values and attitudes, was changing at this time and what a vast difference it all made for Louise Brooks, Cora Carlisle, and others like them.
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Interesting to learn about Louise Brooks in a well written book.
great read. Loved book
This book is based on a real person, Louise Brooks. I especially liked it because it was different and kept me guessing, plus I liked the look at early 20th century life.
An exceptional work of historical fiction, that may not be so fictional. Before she became a flapper, 15 year old Louise Brooks was chaperoned by a neighbor of her mother on her first trip to NYC. The chaperone has more secrets in her past than the mother could possibly have known about.
Enjoyed the peak into the mores of the time and the transformation of the main character by the end of the book.
This was a delightful story about a woman who wanted to learn more about her family roots while trying to handle a vivacious and wild teenage girl in New York City in the 20’s. A real insight into the morals of the times, and how things changed for both of them. Very well written and hard to put down.
Easy read but no real depth to the characters. Storyline felt kind of meandering and aimless.
I had no expectations for “The Chaperone” by Laura Moriarty. I bought the book because I liked the title and the book cover. Imagine my surprise to find such a enthralling story. The novel introduces us to Cora, a young girl in a NYC orphanage and follows her life experiences until she dies well into her 90’s.
I did not care for this book. So predictable and poorly written from my point of view.
book was an interesting read of life during prohibition and the first half of the 20th century. Entertaining quick read
Very enjoyable
The best … or one of the best… I’ve read in years.
I thought this book was terrific and recommended for book club. Original. Different
I liked it very much. Enjoyed going into another era of history. One of the best books I have read lately!
The story line was engaging and the writing was crisp. I was entertained throughout, but I would not rank it as top notch literature. But it’s definitely worth a read.
I like the historical representation of a character with whom I was not familiar, Louise Brooks. Good details and representation of the time in which she rose from obscurity. Reminder that with each new generation, the older generation feels they youngsters are losing their morals, dressing to provocatively, and not accepting responsibility. Also, good information on what it was like to be a female back then, and, differing perspectives on prohibition.
Well Happily Ever After for some. I do want to read more about Louise Brooks, she sounded like her own worst enemy.
Very informative and touching story. Any fan of Louise Brooks will appreciate the back story about her. The main character is the chaperone and what a story it is! It has everything and then some. Don’t want to spoil it. Read the book now. They are currently making the movie.
Great book!
Usually this type of fiction is not what I choose to read. But the story grabbed me on the first page and I couldn’t put it down. There was something about the way the author interwove the lives of two very different women, then told the tale, that I found compelling. The Chaperone is just flat out a great book.