The Chaperone

By: Laura Moriarty

Narrated by: Elizabeth McGovern

Length: 13 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Not quite what I expected.

Any additional comments?

Interesting look at two women in and time and place where they should not have done what they wanted, what made them happy. Still following them thru triumph and heartache was interesting. I'd call this a good beach read.

Listen to it.....Listen to it!!!!

What did you love best about The Chaperone?

Books rarely have a Kansas setting. People, places, and things were beautifully described in Wichita KS during the mid 20th century.

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

The hidden strength of the main character

What about Elizabeth McGovern’s performance did you like?

I will listen to more books narrated by Elizabeth McGovern.....excellent

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The life of a corseted lady

Any additional comments?

A great listen!!!!

Compelling story, nice reader

Would you listen to The Chaperone again? Why?

Probably not. I don't usually listen more than once.

What did you like best about this story?

Surprising growth of the main character.

Have you listened to any of Elizabeth McGovern’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

If you could take any character from The Chaperone out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Raymond.

Wonderful!!

What did you love best about The Chaperone?

loved characters, interesting story, enjoyed time period inwhich it was set

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

when she learned about her monther

historic novel- lovely detail

Would you consider the audio edition of The Chaperone to be better than the print version?

NA

What did you like best about this story?

the setting and character growth

What three words best describe Elizabeth McGovern’s voice?

NA

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

NA

Any additional comments?

took some time to get in to but worth it.

Loved it, loved it, did I mention I loved it!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Chaperone to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version. I use to love reading a book but found myself torn because there were so many other things I needed to be doing. Now I listen and find it hard to even want to read a book. Elizabeth McGovern add so much, as the narrator she breathed life into the story :)

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cora, she just touched my heart.

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

I love Elizabeth McGovern's voice, I thought it was perfect for this story.

If you could take any character from The Chaperone out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Cora, so we could talk for hours about all the changes she witnessed in her lifetime.

Any additional comments?

I purchased this book not knowing it had anything to do with Kansas. I nearly fell out of my chair when I heard the cities of Wichita and McPherson mentioned over and over. I live in McPherson and regularly visit Wichita so I could identify with Union Station, Douglas Ave and many more places. I could imagine how wonderful it must have been growing up just outside McPherson in the late 1800, early 1900 because it is still a wonderful place to live. I loved that so many actual historical events were covered in this book. So many of the 'ways' of the first half of the 1900's that I remember or have heard about but had forgotten, I enjoyed being taken back in time and reminded how far we have come.

This story made me think about so many things, like complicated relationships. I think we often assume these are things that are only dealt with in todays world but that is only because so many things, back then, were so hush-hush, they existed but just were never spoken of. I remember well, as a teenager in the 60's, the absolute shame and dishonor attached to being 'knocked-up', your family and friends might even disown you! It would completely ruin your life forever if anybody found out about it. Just the rumor that you might have 'gone all the way' with a boy could ruin your reputation forever. To this day I think still about women my age who probably still miss the babies they were forced to give up for adoption &/or abort. I do think many things have changed for the good, but there are still some things that I wish would have remained the same.

Covers alot of History

Really 'loved this story. While the main character, The Chaperone (Cora) may be fictitious, her charge, Louise Brooks was not. It was wonderful to get L Brooks true life story intermingled with Cora's long life. Basically it covers the Orphan trains of the 1900's to the Gay Pride parades of the 1970's and into the 1980's. The narrator did a great job. She had the accents down and I had no problem recognizing each character.
Highly recommend this story.

Awesome

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

Somebody recommended it to me. I would also recommend it to a friend! It is interesting, entertaining. It has happy and sad moments. And some very unexpected twists. As life itself.

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

She gave voice to every character . Listening to it was almost like watching a movie.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have if I had the time.

Not Bad

I agree with some of the other reviews. Cora's back story was the most interesting part of the book. The story fell apart a bit towards the end with unrealistic plot twists and decades passing with little detail. Elizabeth McGovern's European accents were amazing. Her narration voice, mostly from Cora's perspective sounded snooty and pseudo-British-didn't make any sense.

A wonderful perpective of a period in our history

Would you listen to The Chaperone again? Why?

The reader is excellent and character are developed really well.I am recommending that it become on of our book club books next year

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

Her train journey as an orphan

Have you listened to any of Elizabeth McGovern’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No - I will if you give me a suggestion

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No that is hard to do