The Chaperone

By: Laura Moriarty

Narrated by: Elizabeth McGovern

The Chaperone is 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 15-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 20th century and a new understanding of the possibilities for being fully alive.

©2012 Laura Moriarty (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Stick with it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I was ready to drop this book after about the first third but then the story took a turn for the better. The story of Cora's self discovery is much more interesting than that of Louise Brooks development and i feared that's what the focus of the novel might be in spite of the title. I fully enjoyed the story although the narration was at times a bit grating (why does the narrator have an English lilt?) but overall did a fine job.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Chaperone?

don't want to spoil it

Which character – as performed by Elizabeth McGovern – was your favorite?

Cora

Who was the most memorable character of The Chaperone and why?

Cora...strong. evolving, centered, smart.

Any additional comments?

Narration a bit too precious for me but overall worth the time and credit. Really enjoyed the story and writing style.

A much bigger story than the beginning suggests...

Cora Carlisle embodies the change in attitude - some sudden, some gradual - over decades that typified women of her generation. A very engaging journey with Cora - deftly narrated by another Cora (Elizabeth McGovern, a/k/a Countess Cora Crawley of Downton Abbey). McGovern doesn't go to great lengths to effect character voices, but by the second or third chapter you can pick up on her distinctions. Part III, at first, seemed unnecessary - all of the action is in the prime of Cora's life - but as the story resolves, I became grateful for the resolution and it only continued our examination of Cora's transformation with the times. A worthwhile read/listen!

The Chaperone- Impeccable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a beautiful, capturing story of the life of Cora, a woman who, by understanding others, found herself in the process. It's perfectly narrated by Elizabeth McGovern, and I enjoyed ever second of this lovely narration and story. I wish it hadn't ended.

What other book might you compare The Chaperone to and why?

The Chaperone might be compared, believe it or not, to Hugo Cabret. The same era, and the same sort of feel, although Hugo was definitely a children's book. It's like, an adult's view of the times, when films were silent and the world was 'pure of thought.'

Which scene was your favorite?

I would have to say that my favourite scene was when Cora met her biological mother. Although the meeting didn't go as planned, Cora showed so much strength and reverence and I really fell in love with her character at that point. As Cora continued to realize that things are certainly not always as they appear, and there is a dark side to humanity, she also learned to embrace that and somehow made it beautiful.

If you could rename The Chaperone, what would you call it?

The First Train to Kansas

Any additional comments?

One of my favourite audible books so far, so well done by Elizabeth McGovern, can't wait to see more of Downton Abbey! Highly recommended!

A necessarily slow start

This beautifully written novel starts off slowly – but please don’t let that dissuade you from purchasing it. With its slow start, the listener, like the protagonist, Cora, gets to experience the tantalizing feeling that something more is out there, just out of reach. And when Cora finally reaches that place, geographically and emotionally, the listener also gets to experience her happiness, her self-awakening, her life’s poignant journey. As a fair warning to others who listen to audiobooks while commuting to and from work: this book will make you cry. So grab a tissue, be patient, and I hope you LOVE this story as much as I did.

Wonderful story, beautifully told.

Which character – as performed by Elizabeth McGovern – was your favorite?

All the characters were wonderfully done with great accents. Elizabeth McGovern is a wonderful actress. I especially liked her Kansas accent.

amazing!

What made the experience of listening to The Chaperone the most enjoyable?

the history in the story and McGovern's narration.

What did you like best about this story?

the family history. from the beginnings to how everyone ends up at the end.

What does Elizabeth McGovern bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

an amazing voice 100% suited to this story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes - it was the story line involving Raymond.

Any additional comments?

just an amazing "read". it is the best one that i have listened to so far.

Good summer read

I listened to The Chaperone after downloading a free chapter, and was pleased that I did. It was an enjoyable book which faced several of the issues we all confront in life with realism and grace. The characters were believable. Ms. McGovern was a little clumsy with the characters in the beginning, but grew into their vocal nuances eventually. I did feel it went on just a bit too long; it wasn't necessary to tie up all the loose ends, but the author did anyway.

The Chaperone is an eyeopener

If you could sum up The Chaperone in three words, what would they be?

Historic True Fiction

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Chaperone?

When I realized the main characters were real people! The book is not just a well told story but about people who lived. While the summer in New York is pivotal, it is what happens in Cora's life afterwards that is interesting.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Cora realizes that the person she had been in Louise's eyes that summer was truer than she had thought at the time. As she realizes this, she accepts the way her own attitudes and beliefs are evolving.

Any additional comments?

I went into it thinking it was a piece of historic fiction. Later, I realized that there must have been a lot of research into the book. The difference is that the story in fiction can be shaped. In this case, the outcome would not change, but the process of Cora's insights and the choices she made was presented through the storytelling. It is also an interesting story in that Cora lived two lives, the one in her home and the one outside her home.

Pleasantly surprised!

I got this book based on the reviews and the lack of any other books that appealed . Normally the 1920s don’t intrigue me that much but I took a leap of faith and now recommend it to everyone. So much more to the book than the summary captures and it kept me interested the entire way through. Many layers to the book and easy, interesting story line.

Awesome story.

I loved this book. When fiction is plausible it is the best. I felt like all the scenarios in this book could actually have taken place. We have come a long way as a society, but we still have a long way to go. The narration was beyond excellent as well.