One of this month’s BlogHer Book Club reads was “The Chaperone” by Laura Moriarty. The book is a historical fiction novel about the life of Louise Brooks, a 1920’s silent film star and her chaperone to New York City. I was not familiar with Louise Brooks prior to reading the story, so I saw Louise with fresh eyes. After reading the book, I did some research of my own. She was a beautiful, headstrong, flapper and bad girl in real life.

This story, however, while highlighting some of Louise’s naughty behavior, was really about Cora, Louise’s 36 year old chaperone to New York City. Louise went to New York to audition for the Denishawn Dance Company and Cora was tasked with keeping headstrong Louise safe in the Big Apple. The trip proves to be a turning point in the life of Cora, where her world views change and she finds herself, with the help of 16 year old Louise’s antics and circumstance.

The book did not grip me initially. It was full of details and brought us back in forth, from future, past, and to present. This technique is not one of my favorite writing styles. Nonetheless, once I got further on into the book, I was fully in the grasp of this author and could not put the book down. I ended up finishing the book in one sitting. The author did an amazing job of describing historical landmarks, events, and people, while remaining true to genuine history.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own. I was compensated for my review, and received a copy of The Chaperone HOWEVER, I only recommend products and/or services I personally believe in.