The Chaperone
A captivating novel about the woman who chaperoned an irreverent Louise Brooks to New York City in 1922, and the summer that would change them both. Only a few years before becoming a famous actress and an icon for her generation, a fifteen-year-old Louise Brooks leaves Wichita to make it big 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 is a complicated but traditional woman with her own reasons for making the trip. She has no idea what she’s in for: Young Louise, already stunningly beautiful and sporting her famous blunt bangs and black bob, is known for her arrogance and her lack of respect for convention. Ultimately, the five weeks they spend together will change their lives forever. For Cora, New York holds the promise of discovery that might prove an answer to the question at the center of her being, and even as she does her best to watch over Louise in a strange and bustling city, she embarks on her own mission. And while what she finds isn’t what she anticipated, it liberates her in a way she could not have imagined. Over the course of the summer, Cora’s eyes are opened to the promise of the twentieth century and a new understanding of the possibilities for being fully alive.
The Roaring 20s
I’ve been enchanted with the era of the 1920s, like many other Americans, since I read The Great Gatsby in high school. There’s something in the freedom in that era that speaks to the young at heart and so it is with great pleasure that I have noticed an up-tick in the presence of the ’20s in historical fiction as of late. So when I was approached to read this book by the amazing ladies at TLC Book Tours I immediately jumped at the chance (seriously, it was embarrassing how quickly I wrote back screaming, “YES!!!!!!!!!!!!). And I’m so, so, so happy I did!
Two vastly different women, one AMAZING place in time…
This story centers around Cora Carlisle, a well-respected, near middle-aged matron from the staid Midwestern town of Witchita, Kansas and the young Louise Brooks, a girl destined to be both famous and infamous, their trip to New York City one hot summer in 1922 and how that summer changed their lives. Louise Brooks is a historical figure and one who had an enormous impact on the world of film. When one thinks of the smoldering, dark haired vixens of the silent screen, it is Louise Brooks’s image that comes to mind.
But it is Cora, the woman who accompanies Louise to New York when she is 15 and just at the start of her stage career, that takes center stage in this amazing book.
Cora is 36, her sons are grown and she has a secret…one that compels her to take young Louise to NYC, despite her concerns over Louise’s very absent parents and Louise’s obvious, rebellious tendancies. Still, for Cora, there are few respectible ways to go to New York on her own in this era so she takes the chance.
Cora is a practical woman, a woman who has endured hardships that her peers would never guess at and she is very much a woman who embodies the ethos of women at this time in America: she is a firm believer in the social and moral constructs of her era and yet there is a spark in her that responds to the growing rebellious spirit of the age.
And when she takes her chance and does go to New York, her life blooms in ways she had no way to possibly know would happen and it’s such an amazing processes to take in.
My how I loved this book!
I immediately and completely identified with Cora. I was drawn into this story right from the start and the pages flew by as I was immersed deeper and deeper into this story. This story of growth and liberation enthralled me from the start and never let me go.
I loved Cora’s strength, her ability to grow and her heart. She’s the kind of character that will leave you thinking and feeling long after you’ve turned the last page.
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Additional Notes
If you are at all intrigued by my review, but you need some more convincing, check out what these other, amazing TLC tour hosts have to say about this fantastic book:
Tuesday, May 1st: Sophisticated Dorkiness
Wednesday, May 2nd: bookchickdi
Thursday, May 3rd: From Left to Write
Friday, May 4th: Rayment’s Readings, Rants and Ramblings
Monday, May 7th: Frenzy of Noise
Wednesday, May 9th: Verb Vixen
and stay tuned to find out what these upcoming tour hosts have to say:
Friday, May 11th: The Well-Read Wife
Monday, May 14th: Fire and Ice
Tuesday, May 15th: Book Journey
Wednesday, May 16th: Babbling About Books and More
Thursday, May 17th: Workaday Reads
Friday, May 18th: An Avid Reader’s Musings
Latest posts by Pushy (see all)
- Pre-Squee about… Icebreaker by Lian Tanner – The Hidden Series - April 8, 2015
- The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black - February 19, 2015
- Guardian by Alex London - February 12, 2015
I really love historical fiction and this sounds like an awesome read . The Roaring 20”s New York. I love the impression Cara had on you and that this tale captivated you long after you closed the book..awesome!
kimba88 recently posted..The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross
Reply »
Thanks, kimba! It’s such a fantastic story!
Pushy recently posted..Review: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
Reply »
Hi Pushy,
Yes count me among the many fascinated by the 1920s. Your review is compelling me to read this book. First because I want to learn more on that era and second because I want to know the secret. Thanks for the recommend!
Heidi recently posted..Spring Blog Carnival Food Booth
Reply »
Thanks for stopping by, Heidi!!! I hope you enjoy The Chaperone as much as I did!!
Pushy recently posted..Review: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
Reply »
LOL Pushy! The presence of the ’20s in historical fiction is to you like fairytale books is to me — totally and completely YAY-worthy!! x) Cora doesn’t seem like the kind of heroine I usually read about, but I think that that’s the reason why I’m she’s so intriguing to me! She’s not like those hardheaded teenagers I’m used to reading about; instead she’s practical, and I kind of love her for it!
Awesome review, Pushy! Happy and positive reviews like yours always make me want to pick up a book ASAP! 😉 <3
Mimi Valentine recently posted..Review: Dark Kiss
Reply »
Thanks, Mimi!!!! Reading this was a refreshing change for me too! Still lots to keep me interested, just minus some of the broody teen stuff. But you know I love me my YA…. 😀
Have a great day!!!!
Reply »
I knew my post didn’t go through! I had a crash while I was trying to post. Anyway, I was saying that I love silent film actors. I think they worked very hard for their money! And I loved this time period in America. I might venture into the adult realm to read this one since you liked it so much!
Heather
hrose2931 recently posted..Review- Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Reply »
Please do, Heather!!! It’s such an amazing read, you’ll be happy you did!
Pushy recently posted..My Friday Love {38}
Reply »
[…] Thursday, May 10th: Bewitched Bookworms […]
You really have a great review on this book. It made me imagine the 20’s century looks like and the people too..
I should check your links here to see more interesting books. Thanks for this.
Charlenevans09 recently posted..hand
Reply »
Thanks, Charlenevans09! I hope you do check this out as I can’t say enough what a lyrical, wonderful read this is. Definitely a MUST read!!!
Pushy recently posted..My Friday Love {38}
Reply »
The 20s!? Wow that’s different! I don’t usually go for historicals mostly bc I have a hard time relating to the old fashion ways and the writing is often toom uch too. But if I do like it, I love it – like The Help (which was only like the 60s but still). I’ll definitely keep this one in mind it sounds to have fabulous characters. Also the fact that it’s adult is actually a plus, I’ve been in need of a good adult book to get a break from all the teenage angst >.<
Reply »
The Roaring 20s were a fascinating time, and it sounds like Louise and Cora’s experiences make for a great read!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks for being on the tour.
Reply »
I have a copy of this one to read very soon and it sounds just like my kind of read! I love historical fiction and I adore old Hollywood! This book sounds like a perfect match for me, then! 🙂
Leanna recently posted..Book Review: Heart-Shaped Bruise by Tanya Byrne.
Reply »
I just love historical fiction so I really can’t wait to read this one 🙂
Erica recently posted..Worth the Risk by Robin Bielman Book Review
Reply »
I love stories of growth and liberation! I’m so glad you loved the book — sounds like a really fun read!
Reply »
I loved the era of this book too. The 1920s were such a crazy time.
Reply »
I am loving more and more historical fiction, with the exception of world war books for whatever reason. Give me some medieval or renaissance reads any time. This is the first review I’ve read for this book and now I’m really looking forward to reading it.
Our Media Mail post is at Book Sake. –Jessica
Jessica @ Book Sake recently posted..Media Mail (2)
Reply »
Whoops, didn’t mean for that link to be there – sorry about that!
Jessica @ Book Sake recently posted..Media Mail (2)
Reply »
This sounds fabulous. Would you say it’s YA or adult? Seems like a cross over book. The cover looks more adult than YA.
Sorry I haven’t commented in a few days. I was in Oregon for a quick vacation.
Alison (AlisonCanRead) recently posted..Manga Mondays (102): Skip Beat! vol. 4 by Yoshiki Nakamura
Reply »
[…] Thursday, May 10th: Bewitched Bookworms […]
[…] Thursday, May 10th: Bewitched Bookworms […]
I’ve been surfing online greater than three hours nowadays, yet I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing
article like yours. It is pretty price sufficient for me.
In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you
did, the internet will likely be a lot more useful than ever before.
Nathaniel recently posted..Nathaniel
Reply »