Louise Brooks was going to make it big. She just knew it. Kansas, was not big enough to hold her, and in 1922, on her 15th year she leaves for New York for her big break. To her annoyance, a 36-year-old woman named Cora Carlisle is sent along with her as a chaperone for the free-spirited Louise.
For Cora, this is hopefully going to be the adventure she felt was missing in her life, and she also has an underlying reason for wishing to go as well. Yet Cora had no idea what an undertaking she was in for… Louise is a beautiful young girl who is arrogant, lacks respect, and is used to getting her own way. Louise’s constant flirting with older men to get her way, and leaping before she looks, keeps Cora on her toes, and complicates her own reasons for coming to New York.
For five weeks, these two women are together and as time goes by, they are changed by what the other brings to the table.
Open this link in a new tab for some back ground review music….
I love modern-day New York. This June will be my third time there and I just love it. Now, saying that, I try to picture New York in 1922 and how it would differ from my experience. Thanks to author Laura Moriarty, I don’t have to stretch my imagination far! This well detailed book leaves me feeling like I could walk down the streets of 1922 New York and feel right at home.
Maybe part of my love for this book is the fact that it is set in New York. Maybe part of that draw is that in a few weeks I will be walking where Louise Brooks one time did as well. Maybe part if the draw is that I will be meeting author Laura Moriarty in New York, and although it is 2012 (details, details), it will be like stepping into the book itself.
*sigh*
Seriously though, I did enjoy this book very much. I did not know prior to this read that Louise Brooks was a very real person, who shortly after 1922, made it big as a silent film star. She was, as Laura Moriarty tells in The Chaperone, very outspoken, and expected things to be her way. (I looked up some information on Louise and was fascinated to find that her father’s business took priority over raising children, and her mother felt that she gave birth to them, now they can raise themselves. An awful incident with a neighbor at a young age did not help Louise’s already wild state…. )
Ok, I digress, but what I can say about this book is that it was a page turner. I loved that while Louise Brooks is a fascinating possible protagonist, she actually plays second fiddle her to the real protagonist of the book, Cora Carlisle, The Chaperone. The story line, the secrets, WOW. Both women, I found be extremely interesting and I am going to highly recommend that fans of history, historical fiction, New York (YAY!), and strong female protagonists, snatch up a copy of this book.
The book releases on June 5th and is available for pre-order now. An excellent choice for a summer read.
Thank you to TLC Book Tours for a review copy of this book
I bow before you with my 1922 Velvet Dress Hat,
This book was amazing!
Book Journey 
I am always up for reading something set in New York, also, and the 1920s have been a fascinating era that I’ve delved into lately.
I loved this book, too; and I’ve enjoyed several other books by Moriarty.
I envy you the NY trip…enjoy!
I have never read her before Laurel but I think I can change that 😀
I just got this one in the mail for review, so I’m excited to see that you liked it so much!
I bet you like it too Alyce! 😀
One of my non bookish friends told me about this book last night…two recommendations, will be going onto the wishlist!
Nice! I hope you get it soon Ellie 😀
June 5th! I want to read it now! (How do i get advanced copies like you do??) xx
It will be out soon Wendy! 😀 I think as you review and build relationships with publishing companies and writing reviews they start to know your likes in reading and start to offer you books that fit your style. I think… I think that is how it works. 😛
Sounds good! Thanks for sharing. I love historicals, and am always looking for a page turner.
Caryn I just love that this is based off a true person… it makes me want to read more about her 🙂
Sounds like a great read, Sheila. Going on my must read list!!
YAY Mary, knowing what you like to read I am going to believe you would really like this one 😀
I bet New York was just as exciting in 1922 as it is today. This book sounds fabulous!
I think so too Kathy!
New to me and hopefully will get to it one day.
I hope so too Mystica 😀
I don’t think that I would normally be drawn to books like this, but your review has made me step out of my comfort zone and add it to my TBR list.
You’ve even made me wish I could go to New York, and I don’t even like big cities! 🙂
Shannon
http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com
Fantastic Shannon! 😀 I couldn’t live in New York, but I go for about a week check it out be fascinated then scurry back home to QUIETNESS! 😛 LOL
This definitely sounds like one I would enjoy. Did you read The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles – it’s set in a similar time period and is very much based in NY NY.
I have not read that one, but I have heard of it! Thanks for letting me know 😀 I may need to look at that one more closely.
I’m glad to hear this is a good one. I love Louise Brooks. I have a couple friends (twins) who look just like her, haha! I’ve been interested in this one for awhile, and I just found a coverless ARC for sale at my local thrift store two weeks ago, so I picked it up and hope to read it soon!
Now I want to read more about her Amanda…. I am fascinated with this free spirited girl who does make it big!
This one sounds great–I love NY settings, and I’m a huge fan of the 20s as well.
You will love this then Stephanie 😉
I’m so bummed I can’t be in NYC with you again this year … maybe I’ll have to read this book and imagine myself there in the 1920s and live vicariously!
Thanks for being on the tour Sheila.
I am bummed too Heather! It would have been fun to catch up with you!
I grew up in Wichita Kansas.
Did you really? That is kind of cool! 😀
I didn’t think this is one that would interest me, but so many are saying that it’s one to be read so maybe I need to adjust my thinking.
I liked the non fiction aspect of this book…. I loved that it was about a real person who I had never heard of but at one time had made quite the splash!
I have this on my must-read list.
I love NY, I love the setting, the time period, all of it!
Then you will love this 😀
This reminds me a little of the book about the woman who went and got a summer job at Tiffanys.
Oh yeah… a little bit except this girl is a WILD child 😛
Your review has made me really interested. In this book
Good Rhonda! I love it when I can share my love of a book 😀
I love that Louise is a real person. Also, the effect that Louise and Cora
have on each other’s life, sounds very intriguing…New York is a magical
place for me; I have never been there!
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
That really impressed me too… I became fascinated with her and who she was…. I did nto know that going into this read 😀
And I LOVE New York!
I can tell how much you really enjoyed this book! It ‘s clear that you felt the author presented New York in its proper 1922 light and, since I don’t know much about New York, that makes me feel confident that I can bellieve what I read in the novel. Evidently the two main characters were developed well, which is also good to know.
Yes to all that you said 😀 I felt really good about this one 😀
I am craving this book so much! I love to read books about different places and times. I have only been to New York once but I that it is truly an unique city. Would love to read this historical.
It is a fascinating read Carol!
Want to read this book!
Good!!! I hope you do because I want to see what you think of it 😀
This sounds excellent and I adore the cover. To the to-be-read list I go!
It was a great read!
New York in the 1920’s sounds excitin! I would love to read this book.
Doesn’t it? I imagine it to be just an exciting place!
I have just added THE CHAPERONE to my wish list. I know I’m going to love this one. Great review thank you.
YAY! I hope you do love it Mary!
Sounds a great read.
Really good 😉
I love that it is based on a real person. That always makes a book more interesting to me.
I think so too Mary.
I’m really interested in reading this book. I like historical fiction even more when it revolves around a real person and a fictional interpretation of that person’s life. Plus, I love the 20s! What a fun era.
I am like that too, a real person puts an added “whoa” this really happened to it and that makes the interest rate go up for me 🙂
The relationship between Louise and Cora sounds intriguing. It’s also interesting that Louise is a real person.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I think so too Margie – I love that she is real.. now I want to know more about her 🙂