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The Chaperone
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In case anyone is interested in discussion questions I thought I would post them. I've just skimmed over them so I'm not sure if they give anything away. They are here if you want to use them, or you can totally forget about them and discuss your own way. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. The Chaperone opens with Cora Carlisle waiting out a rainstorm in a car with a friend when she hears about Louise Brooks for the first time. What do we learn about Cora in this scene? What does it tell us about her and the world she lives in? Why does Laura Moriarty, the author, choose to open the novel this way? Why do you think she waits to introduce us to Brooks?
2. When we first meet Louise Brooks, she seems to be the complete opposite of Cora, but the two women form an unlikely bond anyway. Are they really so dissimilar? What does Cora learn from Louise? Do you think Louise learns anything from Cora?
3. When Cora arrives in New York, the city is worlds away from her life in Wichita. How much do you think Cora actually embraces New York? When she returns to Wichita, what does she bring back with her from New York? What parts of her stayed true to Wichita all along?
4. The limits of acceptable behavior for women were rapidly changing in the 1920s, and both Cora Carlisle and Louise Brooks, in their own ways, push against these boundaries. Discuss the different ways the two women try to change society’s expectations for women. Is one more successful than the other? What are the values involved in each woman’s approach?
5. Cora becomes frustrated with the hypocrisy of the women in her Wichita circle of friends and yet she herself chooses to keep details about her own life secret. Do you think she should be more open about her life choices? What are the risks for her if she were to be more open?
6. Cora Carlisle hopes to find the secret of her past in New York City but discovers that the truth doesn’t align with either her expectations or her memory of the past. Why do you think Laura Moriarty has chosen to leave Cora’s history ambiguous? What does this tell you about Cora? How has Cora’s attitude toward her past changed by the end of The Chaperone?
7. Cora narrates the events of the book from a perspective of many years later. What juxtapositions does this allow her? By placing Cora’s narration at a time of radical social change, what parallels is Moriarty making?
8. Think about Louise Brooks’s behavior. How much of it would be considered scandalous today? What values has society held on to? In what ways has society changed?
Great questions Nikki, looking forward to terrific discussions.
I feel the author does a good job of introducing us to the time, place and location of the characters she wants us to meet. This was a good place to start with the age of Cora in her mid 30's as she can advance forward or backward to bring in more information as the story moves along . . she gives just enough info to peak our interest but also hints at an unknown history of Cora's life. When she fast-forwards to the scene with her grand-niece she brings the reader into the knowledge that Cora will live a long life filled with many changes and yet at the same time brings to consciousness the parallels which are taking place in today's society as well. I believe that the character of Brooks provides substance and at the beginning at least . . a counterpoint to Cora who after all is the main focus of the book. These are my thoughts on the first two chapters.I've already finished listening to the whole book . . so I'm going back through it with a copy of Nikki's questions in front of me.
I'm really enjoying the narration provided by Elizabeth McGovern as she provides just enough change in her voice patterns to know a different character is speaking without making it a distraction to the story.
I am finding the jumping in time a little hard to follow, but I'm enjoying it so far. I'm about an hour into the story.
Jennifer wrote: "I am finding the jumping in time a little hard to follow, but I'm enjoying it so far. I'm about an hour into the story."Thank goodness you posted something . . . I was beginning to think everyone left for the weekend holiday ;-) it's hard to write a review that doesn't include spoilers of some kind . .
Yes it is :) but you did awesome :) I'm here and will be listening to this while I scrapbook over the weekend so I should make good headway over the next couple of days.
You can post spoilers...just kinda let us know where you are in the book first. Either that or use the spoiler feature. (For those who aren't sure how...see below)< spoiler> "Type all spoiler info here" < /spoiler >
Type exactly as above but don't put any spaces between < > brackets like I did.
It will look like this (view spoiler)
Thanks for explaining that Nikki . . . I know some HTML but not a lot :) I'll practice that with my next comment . . .
I'm in the process of downloading the book now....really looking forward to sharing the reading (or rather listening) experience with you all. Thanks for posting the questions, Nikki!
Question 1.The Chaperone opens with Cora Carlisle waiting out a rainstorm in a car with a friend when she hears about Louise Brooks for the first time. What do we learn about Cora in this scene? What does it tell us about her and the world she lives in? Why does Laura Moriarty, the author, choose to open the novel this way? Why do you think she waits to introduce us to Brooks?
I thought I would take a stab at this question. I am frequently intrigued by the opening scene of a story. For this one, I believe introducing us to Cora first serves a purpose of intrigue. During the conversation about the Brooks, she does not voice aloud any interest in being the Chaperone, but within hours of this conversation, she decides to go. Why would this woman want to Chaperon an adolescent girl to NYC. What attracted her to such a venture? What purpose will it serve in her life? The initial conversation also serves a purpose of allowing the reader to sense the type of person Cora is and a bit of where she is currently in her life. It reveals the culture of the times and the social conflicts that are present. It reveals her position on some of these issues. It also introduces the reader to Cora's relationship style.
The delay in introducing the Brooks is only a partial delay in that we are told about them by Viola. So we get the gossipy introduction first.
Anyone have any other thoughts?
Hi, Carmela, There was quite a bit to learn about Cora in the opening scene, wasn't there? (view spoiler)
I did not find it surprising for the novel to open this way simply because of the title--The Chaperone. I expected the book to be about the chaperone. I'm about 1/4 of the way through the book--they have just arrived at the apartment in NY. I have found it to be an enjoyable audio, so far.
Lori you are just slightly ahead of me, they are still on the train and I just heard about Cora's last train ride/experience.
Hi, Jennifer!The train ride reveals so much about Cora!! (I can't even imagine!!) (view spoiler)
Cora could have reacted so differently to the experiences from her childhood; she could have been very bitter, very unforgiving, angry. But for the moment, as things have been revealed she has chosen to use those experiences in a very positive way.
I loved that too Lori. Quick thinking on her part for sure. I want to find out what happened to all those girls.
I have to say, in the beginning I felt like all the different points in time was handled very choppily, but not that I am over 3 hours into it, I feel it flows beatifully. Sorry for being so down on it before. :)
What do you guys think of the narrator?I think her voice fits the Kansas sound, but I don't know, I am not a huge fan. I can't put my finger on why.
There were definitely some very choppy points in the beginning. One of the most awkward points being the paragraphs related to visiting her husbands office. All of that is explained in Chapter 15! (view spoiler) The narrator? Most of the time she is fine but there are certain points the reading becomes very nasal (and irritatingly whiney) but it doesn't remain that way....she'll switch back to the other "voice".
Maybe its the nasal, whiney sounds that I am not liking. Not sure what it is. I look forward to hearing more in Ch. 15. I have't read what you wrote in the spoiler as I don't think I am that far yet. :) They just arrived at the apartment in NY.
Jennifer wrote: "What do you guys think of the narrator?I think her voice fits the Kansas sound, but I don't know, I am not a huge fan. I can't put my finger on why."
I really like the narrator. Her voice sounded familiar to me so I looked her up and found that she plays Lady Cora, Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey.
How far along are you in the book? I finished it over the weekend!
Well I finished it about two weeks ago . . . and my library copy is due to turn back into a pumpkin on the 15th. But I was glad to have read it . . If I hadn't joined this group I would would probably have missed it all together. That's the neat thing about being a member here . . . discovering books you might never have heard about ;-)
I have just under 3 hours left to go. (view spoiler). I am very surprised at some of the twist and turns this book has taken. Its very good.
I just got my computer back so I am back on Goodreads now - I will need to see if I can get this audio from my library - I hope so!!!!
So, I just went to my library on line to look for this book, and I have good news and bad news, the good news is they have it - the bad news I am number 19 on the list... this is obviously a very popular book, so I will be back with you guys once I take possession of the book - see you soon - hopefully!!
That's okay Linda . . I read it early because I have another book discussion starting on the 17th. I borrowed mine from the library, too. Hope you like . . I really enjoyed it.
I have 30 minutes left. I hope to finish before I leave the office so I can start something new once I get in the car.I am really enjoying this book. I love Cora. She is an inspiration. What a strong woman.
I really enjoyed the book and the writing style. It was definately intriguing and everycharacter brought a different dimension to the story. At first I thought Louise was a minor role of a spoiled brat brought in to force Cora to look at her own morals and values but by the end of the book I understood Louise so much better and appreciated her value in the story. Once again it goes to prove that women are always much stronger than they think they are. BTW I loved the roles of the all of the men in the book as well.
What a journey Cora went on and how well it was told. In the end of the book I could feel, right along with cora, the depth and fullness of her life and how tired she was. I would be tired too after living through all that she did.
I enjoyed the book and found it a fast and easy read (I did not listen to the audiobook as I had already reserved a hard copy at the library). The first half of the book was the best as I could empathize with Cora and her situation - I thought the part in NYC was well-told. After she returns to Wichita, however, the book seemed to lose some of its focus and felt more like a summary of events rather than the more intimate story detailed in the first part of the novel. Even so, I give this book four stars as I liked the author's writing and it gave me a glimpse into the lives of women in the 1920s. Also I thought that the author wrote very sympathetic male characters.
Great point Margaret about the differences from part 1 to part 2. I felt the same way about it feeling like a summary of events in the second half. I too enjoyed it very much even with that being said.
Can you guys believe that I am still waiting on this book!!! I think now I am number 5 or somewhere around there... I will let you know when I have audio in hand and starting.....I'm not reading any of the posts regarding this book.
Linda wrote: "Can you guys believe that I am still waiting on this book!!! I think now I am number 5 or somewhere around there... I will let you know when I have audio in hand and starting.....I'm not reading ..."
Guess what . . . there is a copy available - eBook - here on GR under eBooks . . I downloaded it to refresh my memory when everyone gets caught up listening to the audio version! Yay!
My name finally came up!!!! I will start after I finish the book I am listening to now. I waited so long for this one - I hope it is worth the wait.
Linda wrote: "My name finally came up!!!! I will start after I finish the book I am listening to now. I waited so long for this one - I hope it is worth the wait."Yay . . . that's great that you finally got the book . . hope you like it!
I am starting this one on Monday!!!
Ok, ladies, I am on disc 4. I love the way the author started the book, I liked that she started in slowly with Cora. But I am beginning to feel like Cora is a snob, did anyone else get that feeling or am I being unfair to her?I like the narrator, she is not bugging me at all.
And that Miss Brooks, she is a little full of herself - isn't she!!
I am at the part where Cora is going to check out the home.
Interesting how Cora and her husband meet.
OMG!!! I just got to a major deal in the book! I was not expecting that to happen!!!
Linda wrote: "OMG!!! I just got to a major deal in the book! I was not expecting that to happen!!!"Hi, I'm not sure where you are . . . which major deal? There are quite a few . . .
I didn't feel she was a snob as much as the fact that she came from a small town environment and led a fairly sheltered life.
The one I am speaking of is when Cora was taking the boys to the amusment park and came home sick. Boy - did she get a surprise!
Oh yes . . . I thought that might be what you were referring to. Plus considering the time frame during which this occurred I was impressed how she handled it.
Me too Tomerobber, I'm not sure that I would have handled it the same way. Wow - I am really loving this book!!!
I thought I was going to be able to use the eBook copy available through the link here on GR but it's only the first chapter . . . so I won't be able to remind myself where you are at in your listening Linda . . . so just give me a hint on where you are.
Cora just found out that Louise is a big star - she has been appearing in movies that have come to Kansas.So much has happened..... and I am shocked!!
That's what I liked about this book . . . Cora did live a long life . . . but so much happened during her lifetime . . . that it makes it a really interesting read.
This book is so good, I will finish up tomorrow. I was surprised that the group did not talk about the book much. I would love to read what others thought about this book.
I am so glad you liked it Linda. I enjoyed it too. Just reading your few comments brought it all back to me which, in my case, is a sign of a good book as I read so many i tend to forget the ones I didn't enjoy too much.
I just finished this and enjoyed it a lot. The author must have used actual facts about Louise Brooks (I wonder if the incidents of her childhood were known or the author made them up?) I liked how Cora changed, it's a bit like The Awakening but with a happier resolution. Most women wouldn't have been able to arrange things they way she did, but of course she had suffered to get to that point. I agreed with those who said the end was a letdown. I think it could have ended sooner, even before WWII. The same author wrote The Center of Everything, still Kansas but 1980s and similar theme of women's and girls' choices. The audio version done by Julie Dretzin was outstanding. She could convey volumes just by the way she said "Oh" and she really portrayed the young heroine well. I don't think that one is on Audble but a library may have it.
I discovered an interesting tidbit of info about Louise Brooks in another book I just bought . . .
by Kenneth S. LynnThis is quoted from the inside cover . . . Who was Charlie Chaplin? Louise Brooks, a Ziegfeld Follies dancer at the time that she and Chaplin had a torrid affair, called him 'the most bafflingly complex man who ever lived.'
So I guess the picture painted of her was fairly accurate.
That is interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Please be courteous to others and don't post too many "spoilers" without at least posting what chapter you are on so others know if you are further ahead than what they themselves are. You may even use spoiler tags if you wish.
Most of all...Enjoy the book & the discussions.