The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty.

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty.

Penguin, 2012.

Review by Laura Parish.

About the book:

On a summer’s day in 1922 Cora Carlisle boards a train from Wichita, Kansas, to New York City, leaving behind a marriage that’s not as perfect as it seems and a past that she buried long ago. She is charged with the care of a stunning young girl with a jet-black fringe and eyes wild and wise beyond her fifteen years. This girl is hungry for stardom and Cora for something she doesn’t yet know. Cora will be many things in her lifetime – an orphan, a mother, a wife, a mistress – but in New York she is a chaperone and her life is about to change. It is here under the bright lights of Broadway, in a time when prohibition reigns and speakeasies with their forbidden whispers behind closed doors thrive, that Cora finds what she has been searching for. It is here, in a time when illicit thrills and daring glamour sizzle beneath the laws of propriety that her life truly begins. It is here that Cora and her charge, Louise Brooks, take their first steps towards their dreams.

Fictional accounts based around ‘real people’ have always intrigued me which is what I think drew me to this story in particular as the silent film star, Louise Brooks is featured. Before reading, I didn’t know too much about her.

However, it is Cora’s story that is the main focus of the plot and her story and situation equally interested me and kept me turning the page to the point where I couldn’t seem to stop reading.

I was never certain where the plot was going to take me and there were a few plot twists and surprises.

Cora, at the beginning of the book seems to have a perfect life but when she has the chance to head to New York as Brooks’ Chaperone, she harbours her own agenda; to find out who she is and where she has come from and then embarks on a fascinating journey, revealing that her ordinary and seemingly simple and outwardly perfect life isn’t what it seems and has many layers. Cora is a strong character and one I found I invested a lot in.

I also found Louise Brooks to be as captivating as Cora and I have to admit, I found myself researching more about her after I’d finished reading. Louise, despite her general air of confidence is as lost as Cora and this adds an interesting dynamic to their sometimes forced relationship.

Overall, I loved The Chaperone. A book about self-discovery, love and acceptance.​

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.