The Chaperone discussion

Was anyone else proud of Cora? This book was like a coming of age for a 30 something! It was inspirational in the point that just b/c she wasn't young, life wasn't over for her and she made some drastic changes that made her much more happy, as she said, "I am grateful life could be long." Not to mention how her views of others changed within a very rigid society. Loved when she stood up and wouldn't sign the petition to make the drugstores hide the condoms! Thoughts?

I really enjoyed this book too - it was an interesting read and I also liked the character of Cora.

I liked Cora. She had to come to terms with her past and who she had become. I'm glad that she was able to see the hypocrisy of those around her. It's sad that she had to lead a pretend life in order to be happy. I felt bad for her husband and his lover who could not "come out" in those times.

I was proud of Cora. She appeared to be something at the beginning and evolved into something else at the end. I think in discovering about her past and in her trip with the young girl she became aware of her judgements and truths. This book made me think about many things that today that are still taboo like gay marriage.

A bit off topic but . . . Did you know there is a Louise Brooks society? Visit it online atwww.pandorasbox.com. What a beautiful girl/woman she was!

Hmmm...I was proud of Cora for taking the bull by the horns and living the life she wanted, but I thought it was incredibly sad that she couldn't hold hands with Joseph in public and had to tell everyone he was her brother. They didn't even tell their family members the truth. I understand the need for the lie, but I couldn't help but wonder just how happy Cora really was with that decision. It kind of sucks, when you think about it.

I thought Cora was an interesting character, I did find it a leap given her minimal interactions with Joseph and her proper ways that the relationship would have developed to the extent that it did. I wonder how many people in that day lived in those types of arrangements because they could not be honest about who they were as people, very sad to live a lifetime not in truth, especially to your own children. I was facinated with Louise to the point I looked up videos of her on you tub, she was captivating. I felt so sad for her her that her mother did not acknowledge but rather blamed her for her abuse, then basically let her go. Louise was so unprotected, understanable how she wound up taking the path she did with men and alcohol. So sad!

I think this books shows how important the arts are in our society. When Cora is reflecting on her life she acknowledges that her thoughts and feelings about race issues were all changed the day she went to a play and sat next to a black woman. I loved her relationship to Louise and how willing (though reluctant ) she was to learn from her.

Another very enjoyable book to read.

To those who have read this book: Do you think it would be a good pick for a book club read? Do you think it would have a lot to discuss?

I think it would be a terrific choice for a book club particularly if the members are open and like lots of discussion, as I suspect some of the members' views will be quite different if not polarized around some issues.

The book covered so much - prohibition, no legal contraceptives, moralizing, rigidity, self-fulfillment, corsets, segregation etc. so you have lots of topics to choose from. Just talking about the difference between Kansas and New York City at the time and discussing where each book club member would have preferred to live would be interesting or whether each member would prefer to have lived during that time or now. This so much that could be discussed about the book.

I thought the author did a wonderful job writing a philosophical book of sorts. It caused me frequently to ask and wonder - What if? Would I? How could? That’s why I think it would be a terrific book club selection.

Also it was rated fairly high by most readers and made in to the top 10 in the Goodreads' vote for historical fiction, so most of your members will likely enjoy the book.

If you choose Chaperone for your club, please let this discussion group know how it goes. Enjoy!!

Couldn't agree more with Mj :) Your club will have a lot to talk about!

Thanks, MJ & Dani. I appreciate your advice.

I really enjoyed this book.I will be suggesting this book for our BookClub this year

Mj wrote: "I think it would be a terrific choice for a book club particularly if the members are open and like lots of discussion, as I suspect some of the members' views will be quite different if not polari..."

Totally agree! Well said.

It is a great book for book club. We did it and there was a lot of discussion topics to choose from.

This book captivated me from beginning to end. I tried to coax my fellow book club member into making this her selection because I wasnt' in the club yet and I knew they would enjoy it. I am next so I am thinking of choosing this book. I have already read it but would love to have a discussion about it and all of it's "issues". Highly recommend it. I'm with Alecia. I read everything I could about Louise after reading the book. lThat poor girl and her superficial mother. I could go on and on about this book so I need to stop now.

Oh, I LOVED this book!!!!

Dani wrote: "Was anyone else proud of Cora? This book was like a coming of age for a 30 something! It was inspirational in the point that just b/c she wasn't young, life wasn't over for her and she made some dr..."

I was very impressed with Cora and the choices she made. This is the last paragraph of my book review:


This book had a great deal to say to me. It approached many issues which are relevant in this age of face book and reality television. There’s a clear message. Louise Brooks became a scandalous public figure with every aspect of her self-destructing private life in view. Cora remained quietly private, with a socially acceptable public face. She lived her unconventional life without undo collateral damage. I’d like to shake her hand.

Well written. Too bad you don't share your reviews on Goodreads. If this excerpt is any indication, your reviews are well worth reading.

Mj wrote: "Well written. Too bad you don't share your reviews on Goodreads. If this excerpt is any indication, your reviews are well worth reading."

Thank you Mj. My reviews are all posted on Goodreads, but I don't often participate in discussions. I like the discussion format on shelfari better and there are only so many minutes in the day....... and so many books to read.

Totally agree with too little time. Unfortunately, when I clicked on your name in order to read your full review - I got a message that only friends or users who have made their profile public can read your reviews. I cannot read your review and couldn't send you an email about it offline from this discussion group. Guess it's how your settings on your profile are set up.

In any case, I did appreciate your comment in this discussion group.

Take care and Happy Reading!!

Mj wrote: "Totally agree with too little time. Unfortunately, when I clicked on your name in order to read your full review - I got a message that only friends or users who have made their profile public can..."

hmmmmm I'll have to see if I can fix that.

There was something about how this book was described that made me want to read it. It lived up to my expectations. Such an interesting period in history and the characters were real people.

Rachael wrote: "Hmmm...I was proud of Cora for taking the bull by the horns and living the life she wanted, but I thought it was incredibly sad that she couldn't hold hands with Joseph in public and had to tell ..."

I think she realized that telling the truth wasn't important for happiness-- especially if it would come at the cost of her loved ones' happiness. Sometimes you hope that people will be happy just because you've found happiness, but often times that's not the case. Especially when it ruins someone's image or perception of you. Cora knew telling her truth would bring sadness and harm to those she loved. I don't think she needed to tell her truth to be happy. She lived a full life and felt lucky to be able to create her own definition of happiness so "late" in her life.

I was proud of Cora throughout the book. It seemed that her journey to New York gave her the independence and time alone she needed to find who she was, and what she needed to be happy. She had such a change in her ideals, and realized that life isn't so black and white. I love that she became more progressive and became an advocate for a cause.

Mj wrote: "I think it would be a terrific choice for a book club particularly if the members are open and like lots of discussion, as I suspect some of the members' views will be quite different if not polari..."

we are reading this for our book club in about a week.

Louise wrote: "we are reading this for our book club in about a week."

Hope your club enjoys the book. Let us know how the discussions go.

our club really liked the book.librarian/leader of our book club brought a clip of someone interviewing louise. some thought book was more about cora

Loved this book. I have thouht about Cora so much since I read it. She seems so real to me.

It is titled THE CHAPERONE.

Susan wrote: "To those who have read this book: Do you think it would be a good pick for a book club read? Do you think it would have a lot to discuss?"

I first read it as a book club pick, first heard of Louise, got a dvd about her. I've noted in the past that the child is often blamed for the sins of the elders. As if we forget that the child has no idea what is going on. In my case I was told "nothing really happened, so forget it." Your whole view of life has been skewed, but just forget it. Right.

I liked the first half of the book but after that it went down hill. I ended up hating all of the characters, especially Cora. Louise did not develop at all as a character and Cora lost all good sense to relive her youth.

Meghan wrote: "I liked the first half of the book but after that it went down hill. I ended up hating all of the characters, especially Cora. Louise did not develop at all as a character and Cora lost all good se..."

Get a dvd about Louise, the real Louise. Interesting lady. As for Cora, consider that for hundreds of years people had to live false liveds just to get along. Example: King James I of England and Bible fame was gay. He had a secret tunnel built between his bedroom and his lover's. Tell the truth in that age? NO WAY!

I found Cora so rigid at first; and very unlikable! Then, partly because of meeting Louise, she starts to evolve, questioning her past, her life and the future. What a journey she takes - my whole book club was proud of Cora!

In the end Cora realized life isn't black and white but shades of grey. Within the context and confines of her era, she fought to mold her life into one that would make her happy.

I was bothered by the contrived writing. All those chopped up sentences detracted from the substance. A good editor would never have allowed that.