From the Bookshelf of Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library…

The Chaperone

Laura Moriarty

Start date: July 27, 2014

Finish date: August 24, 2014

Discussion: So Many Books, So Little Time

Discussion leader: Deb

Why we're reading this: This is the August selection for the So Many Books discussion group. We will be meeting to discuss it on …more
[close] This is the August selection for the So Many Books discussion group. We will be meeting to discuss it on Sunday, August 24 at 3 PM at the Library--we'd love to have you join us!

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 10 topics — 37 comments total

So Many Books, So Little Time

My review of Wild
By Deb · 3 posts · 10 views

last updated Mar 07, 2016 08:02AM

These Things Hidden - A quick review
By Deb · 2 posts · 13 views

last updated Sep 02, 2015 07:48AM

What Members Thought

Jan 19, 2012 Chris Blocker rated it it was amazing

I first had the pleasure of reading Laura Moriarty's debut novel The Center of Everything many years ago and meeting her shortly after. What a pleasure both her novel and her friendly and open personality were. The Center of Everything was by no means perfect, but it was a very strong debut. And here was an author I could believe in, someone coming out of Kansas with real talent and genuine character.

I followed Moriarty into her second and third novels. I hate to say it because I really liked Mo I first had the pleasure of reading Laura Moriarty's debut novel The Center of Everything many years ago and meeting her shortly after. What a pleasure both her novel and her friendly and open personality were. The Center of Everything was by no means perfect, but it was a very strong debut. And here was an author I could believe in, someone coming out of Kansas with real talent and genuine character.

I followed Moriarty into her second and third novels. I hate to say it because I really liked Moriarty and I loved The Center of Everything, but The Rest of Her Life was a massive disappointment and While I'm Falling was hard to even finish. Sounds harsh? Yeah, I agree. But I've heard the same sentiments from others. I like to blame the decline in pressure from the publisher—suddenly Laura Moriarty was “the next Jodi Picoult” (which she wasn't)—but I do not know the true reason Moriarty's style changed so much. And frankly, it doesn't matter.

I know some people gave up on the author after her second novel. Some after her third. Let me just say one thing to those who have lost their faith: Laura Moriarty is back.

The Chaperone is a new direction for Moriarty and a refreshing change from the forgettable characters and events of her last two novels. The story is interesting. The setting is vivid. Moriarty shows great skill in blending factual events from the life of silent film star Louise Brooks with her fictional work. Brooks is a vehicle for the larger plot, but Moriarty is careful not to cross the line where the actress' inclusion becomes too convenient (this is perhaps not so much true in later chapters, but she only barely steps over the line).

There may be disappointment for some when they realize The Chaperone isn't a novel about Louise Brooks. Even though the description on the dust jacket and the title itself should be an indication that this novel is much more the story of Moriarty's protagonist, Cora Carlisle, it is surprising at times how much Brooks is relegated to a secondary character, especially after the first half (which I can't help but wonder if this wasn't a brilliantly drawn parallel to Brooks' own dwindling career). Nevertheless, the fictional account of Brooks' summer in New York in 1922 should please many of her fans.

I wish The Chaperone immense success. I believe most fan will agree, if they give it a chance, that it's a huge step in the right direction.

Welcome back, Laura. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 04, 2014 Deb rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, historical

Two women: Louise and Cora are thrown together in this story that travels from Wichita, KS to the bustle of New York City during the 1920's. Louise is Louise Brooks--destined to be a star but in this book a teenage dancer full of dreams. Cora is hired to be her chaperone, but she has ulterior motives for travelling to New York and secrets that no one--least of all Louise--would ever guess. As Louise bursts upon New York determined to experience all of the night life the city has to offer, Cora t ...more

Like · see review

Dec 09, 2014 Katey rated it really liked it

I have never read a book like this before. I'm not a huge fan of history or books involving history. I chose this book because I want to attend the book club discussion I found out is happening in a few days, and this is the book they are discussing. I actually enjoyed this book very much, even with the historical parts woven in. This young girl/woman is given an opportunity to visit a dance school in New York, but her father feels she needs a chaperone to accompany his daughter. In steps Cora, ...more

Like · see review

Sep 29, 2013 Miranda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bean-there-read-that, re-reads, kansas-reads, best-of-the-books

In 1922, the future film star Louise Brooks is only 15 years old. She’s intelligent, beautiful, and rebellious. 36-year-old Cora Carlisle is a well-to-do wife and mother with two grown children and a quiet house. She fought for women’s suffrage, but she still wears her corset faithfully and keeps her knees covered. Together, the two journey to New York City so that Louise can study dance at the famous Denishawn dance school. Cora signs on as a chaperone, but her own hidden reasons for wanting to ...more

Like · see review

Dec 01, 2013 Melanie rated it really liked it

Overall a good and well written book over that takes place over the majority of the 20th century. Cora's experience as a chaperone for Louise Brooks over one summer begins her change of attitude toward the changing times. Orphan trains, adoption, silent films, flappers, integration, homosexuality, contraception, affairs, are all topics in this book. Really a book about a life. ...more

Like · see review

Aug 08, 2012 Dawn rated it really liked it

Very much a pleasant and engaging read, much like The Help. I liked the intertwining past and present of the orphan train story line mixed with the current life of Cora. Part quest to find her past, part search for true love, then another element is the sort of older woman's coming of age story. I just really liked Cora despite her flaws, mistakes and often high and mighty attitude.
I also liked how the Louise Brooks character really shook up her notions of propriety, especially when she was alre ...more

Like · see review

Dec 21, 2012 Kathy rated it liked it

I wanted to really love this book and some parts I did. Other parts I did not like at all.

Like · see review

Jul 07, 2012 Betsy rated it really liked it

Shelves: bean-there-read-that

This was not what I was expecting at all, but it was still a very enjoyable read. I loved the dialogue, and I think the author did a wonderful job developing her characters. I will be sure to read more from Moriarty.

Like · see review