The Louise Brooks Society meets Laura Moriarty, author of The Chaperone

Yesterday, the Louise Brooks Society met Laura Moriarty, author of The Chaperone! The occasion was Laura's reading at A Great Good Place for Books in Oakland, California. I had the honor of introducing Laura, and she gave a terrific talk and reading, and then answered questions about Brooks and the chaperone character and the writing process. It was a swell evening. Laura also signed a lot of books, so if you are looking to get an autographed copy, follow the link to the bookstore to embedded above.

At the conclusion of the evening, Laura agreed to have her picture taken with myself (Thomas Gladysz - right) and my wife (Christy Pascoe - left, Associate Director of the LBS). Laura Moriarty, of course, is in the middle. In honor of Louise Brooks' high school yearbook picture, taken just before she left Wichita to go to New York City as described in The Chaperone, we locked arms. (To see that picture, follow this link to an earlier LBS blog.)

And don't miss Caroline Preston's excellent review of The Chaperone in today's Washington Post;  Preston, herself a noted novelist, calls Moriarty's book "captivating and wise fourth novel" and an "inventive and lovely Jazz Age story."

In the news

The Louise Brooks Society was in the news today. Shelf Awareness, a book industry newsletter, ran a short piece about Laura Moriarty's author event at the Watermark bookstore in Wichita, Kansas. The piece, which links to the LBS blog, is depicted below. (Many followed the link. Traffic to this LBS blog post was four times greater than usual.]

Louise Brooks was also in the news. The New York Times ran its third article on Moriarty's new novel. This one, "Blunt Memories of Celluloid Life" by Janet Maslin (she had also penned an earlier review), looks back to Brooks' own 1982 book, Lulu in Hollywood. Many also read that piece. When I checked late in the afternoon, Lulu in Hollywood was #1 on Amazon for Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Theater.

Louise Brooks' Schopenhauer

Rosie Brooks shows off Louise Brooks' copy
of the essays of Schopenhauer

As many of you may know, Laura Moriarty is touring the country to promote her new book, The Chaperone (Riverhead). It's a captivating novel about the woman who chaperoned an irreverent Louise Brooks to New York City in 1922, and the summer they spent together that would change them both. 

In an early scene in the book, Brooks and the chaperone are traveling by train to New York, and to help pass the time, both characters are carrying a book. The chaperone is reading The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton. And Brooks, though only 15, is reading a volume of Schopenhauer's essays.

Just the other day, Moriarty stopped in Wichita, Kansas for an appearance at Watermark Books, a local independent bookstore in Brooks' former hometown. In the audience was Rosie Brooks, Louise's niece. (Rosie can be seen in the 1999 documentary, Louise Brooks: Looking for Lulu, directed by Hugh Munro Neely. If you haven't seen it, you should. It is really terrific.) 

Rosie Brooks brought along Louise Brooks' own well worn copy of Schopenhauer's essays. The book even contained Brooks' personal bookplate. Here are a couple of additional snapshots of the book itself.

By all accounts, Laura Moriarty's events have been well attended, and her book has been selling briskly just about everywhere. And what's more, some fans, and even some bookstore staff, have been adorning Louise Brooks wigs at events. Here is another snapshot taken at Watermark Books in Wichita. Pictured below are Beth from Watermark, Rosie Brooks and Laura Moriarty in the middle, and Sarah, also with Watermark.

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 – 1860) was an important figure for Brooks. And, apparently, someone she read pretty much all her life. The German philosopher is mentioned three times in the Barry Paris biography, including this noteworthy passage. "In a 1967 reminiscence called 'Meeting with Pabst,' Lotte Eisner recalled her visit to the Pandora set [in 1928]:

In a corner sat a very beautiful girl reading the Aphorisms of Schopenhauer in an English translation. It seemed absurd that such a beautiful girl should be reading Schopenhauer, and I thought quite angrily that this was some sly publicity stunt of Pabst's. Some 25 years later, I found out that Louise Brooks really did read Schopenhauer."

If you have the chance to see Laura Moriarty talk about her new novel, don't miss it. Her remaining events include

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Friday, June 22
5:30 p.m.: Cocktail Reception, Talk, Q&A and Signing
Warwick’s (link)
7812 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037

Sunday, June 24
11:30 a.m.: Brunch Reception, Talk, Q&A, & Signing
Mysterious Galaxy (link)
2810 Artesia Blvd.
Redondo Beach, CA 90278

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Monday, June 25
7 p.m. Talk, Q&A and Signing (intro by Thomas Gladysz of the Louise Brooks Society)
A Great Good Place for Books (link)
6120 La Salle Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611

Tuesday, June 26
7 p.m. Talk, Q&A and Signing
Copperfield’s  (link)
140 Kentucky Street
Petaluma, CA 94952

Wednesday, June 27
2 p.m. Tea Reception, Talk, Q&A and Signing
Towne Center Books  (link)
555 Main Street
Pleasanton, CA 94566

Wednesday, June 27
7 p.m. Talk, Q&A and Signing
Rakestraw Books (link)
522 Hartz Avenue
Danville, CA 94526

IOWA CITY, IA
Saturday, July 14
2 p.m.: Talk, Q&A and Signing
Iowa City Book Festival (link)
University of Iowa

(A big thank you to Laura Moriarty for permission to post these pictures of her Wichita event.)

Kansas coverage of Laura Moriarty's The Chaperone

Three articles about Laura Moriarty's superb new novel, The Chaperone, showed up in today's Kansas newspapers. The novel tells the story of the woman who accompanied 15 year old Louise Brooks to New York City in 1922, and the changes both experienced in each others company. It is a great read, and highly recommended.

The Lawrence Journal-World ran a piece titled "A cut above: Local author’s novel generates national buzz," by Terry Rombeck. And the Wichita Eagle ran a story titled "Author Laura Moriarty takes a step back in time," by Lisa McLendon. The Eagle also ran a book review of The Chaperone in today's paper, "Laura Moriarty’s ‘The Chaperone’ brings 1920s Wichita to life."

Image courtesy of Riverhead books

Additionally, today's New York Times also ran a review, "City of Dreams," which features a cartoon illustration of the future actress by Pete Gamlen. All of the above articles are worth checking out.

Laura Moriarty in Chicago, Illinois

Laura Moriarty, author of The Chaperone, will be speaking about her new book in and near Chicago on June 9, 10 and 11. This should be a neat event, as Louise Brooks visited and once lived in Chicago. She also danced there (as a member of Denishawn) in the mid-1920s, and then again as a ballroom dancer in the early 1930s. Here are a couple of her events. Check the websites for details.

Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10
Printer’s Row Lit Fest
Talk location & times TBD
Moriarty will be a panelist on "Her Story," with Claire McMillan, Margot Livesey and Francesca Segal, moderated by Gioia Diliberto, 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Wyndham Blake / Burnham Room.

Monday, June 11
Women Writers Series
sponsored by The Book Stall at Chestnut Court
12:00 pm at Avli Restaurant
566 Chestnut Street, Winnetka

Want to learn more about The Chaperone and its connection with Louise Brooks? Be sure and read this interview with Laura Moriarty on examiner.com. And check out this related piece on the Huffington Post.

Laura Moriarty's tour dates for The Chaperone

Here are Laura Moriarty's tour dates for The Chaperone. If you're in any of these cities, come by and show your support of Laura and your love of literature and Louise Brooks!  The Chaperone publishes June 5th.

ST. LOUIS, MO
Thursday, June 7
7 p.m.: Talk, Q&A & Signing
St. Louis Public Library – Schlafly Branch
225 N. Euclid
St. Louis, MO 63108
sponsored by Left Bank Books

CHICAGO, IL
Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10
Printer’s Row Lit Fest
Talk location & time TBD
Monday, June 11
The Book Stall at Chestnut Court
811 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093

OMAHA, NE
Tuesday, June 12
6 p.m.: Talk, Q&A & Signing
The Bookworm
8702 Pacific Street
Omaha, NE 68114

WICHITA, KS
Thursday, June 14
6 p.m.: Talk, Q&A & Signing
Watermark Books
4701 E. Douglas
Wichita, KS 67218

KANSAS CITY, KS
Tuesday, June 19
Unity Temple on the Plaza
707 W 47th St
Kansas City, MO 64112
Sponsored by Rainy Day Books

SAN DIEGO, CA
Friday, June 22
5:30 p.m.: Cocktail Reception, Talk, Q&A & Signing
Warwick’s
7812 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037

SAN FRANCISCO AREA, CA
Monday, June 25
7 p.m.: Talk, Q&A & Signing (intro by Thomas Gladysz of the Louise Brooks Society)
A Great Good Place for Books
6120 La Salle Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611

Tuesday, June 26
7 p.m.: Talk, Q&A & Signing
Copperfield’s
140 Kentucky Street
Petaluma, CA 94952

Wednesday, June 27
2 p.m.: Tea Reception, Talk, Q&A & Signing
Towne Center Books
555 Main Street
Pleasanton, CA 94566

7 p.m.: Talk, Q&A & Signing
Rakestraw Books
522 Hartz Avenue
Danville, CA 94526

IOWA CITY, IA
Friday, July 13 to Sunday, July 15
Iowa City Book Festival
University of Iowa
Talk location & time TBD

"The Chaperone is the enthralling story of two women . . . and how their unlikely relationship changed their lives. . . . In this layered and inventive story, Moriarty raises profound questions about family, sexuality, history, and whether it is luck or will—or a sturdy combination of the two—that makes for a wonderful life."—O, The Oprah Magazine

"In her new novel, The Chaperone, Laura Morirty treats this golden age with an evocative look at the early life of silent-film icon Louise Brooks, who in 1922 leaves Wichita, Kansas, for New York City in the company of 36-year-old chaperone, Cora Carlisle. . . . A mesmerizing take on women in this piviotal era."—Vogue

"Laura Moriarty weaves a compelling story."—The Christian Science Monitor

“It’s impossible not to be completely drawn in by The Chaperone. Laura Moriarty has delivered the richest and realest possible heroine in Cora Carlisle, a Wichita housewife who has her mind and heart blown wide open, and steps—with uncommon courage—into the fullness of her life. What a beautiful book. I loved every page.”—Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife

“What a charming, mesmerizing, transporting novel! The characters are so fully realized that I felt I was right there alongside them. A beautiful clarity marks both the style and structure of The Chaperone.”—Sena Jeter Naslund, author of Ahab's Wife and Adam & Eve

“The Chaperone is the best kind of historical fiction, transporting you to another time and place, but even more importantly delivering a poignant story about people so real, you'll miss and remember them long after you close the book.”—Jenna Blum, author of Those Who Save Us and The Stormchasers

Laura Moriarty's The Chaperone gets reviewed

Laura Moriarty's upcoming novel, The Chaperone, got a glorious review in the June issue of O Magazine. Due out June 5th, The Chaperone, tells the story of the woman who chaperoned Louise Brooks to New York City in 1922, and the summer that would change them both. The reviewer, Nell Casey, concludes, "In this layered and inventive story, Moriarty raises profound questions about family, sexuality, history, and whether it is luck or will - or a sturdy combination of the two - that makes for a wonderful life."

And what's more, the magazine features a splendid Brooks' illustration to accompany the review. The new issue of O Magazine (O as in Oprah) just hit newsstands. Go out and get a copy today.

Laura Moriarty's The Chaperone

Laura Moriarty's The Chaperone publishes in the United States on June 5th. Elizabeth McGovern (of Downton Abbey fame) has optioned the screen rights.

Here is the publisher-supplied descriptive text for the book, "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 fifteen-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 twentieth century and a new understanding of the possibilities for being fully alive."

Louise Brooks celebrated in London, England

As fans know, Louise Brooks made her first big splash in England in 1924, when she became the first girl to dance the Charleston in London. That was at the city's famous Cafe de Paris, then only recently opened. Brooks, a precocious dancer and showgirl, was 17 years old at the time.

Now, more than 85 years later, the late, legendary silent film star is set to be the toast of London once more as two of her very best films are scheduled to be shown in the coming days.

On April 13th, the Classic Cinema Club of Ealing will screen Pandora's Box (1929) at the Ealing Town Hall. The film will be followed by a discussion.

And on April 29, Beggars of Life (1928) will screen at the Barbican center as part of its silent film & live music series. This screening will feature live musical accompaniment by The Dodge Brothers, with special guest Neil Brand on the piano.

Today, Brooks is best known for her role as Lulu in the German-made Pandora's Box, G.W. Pabst's late silent masterpiece. Pandora’s Box tells the story of Lulu, a lovely, amoral, and somewhat petulant show-girl whose flirtations lead to devastating encounters. Lulu was played by Brooks, an American actress especially recruited for the iconic German role.

Close Up, an English film journal of the time with an interest in adventuresome German cinema, noted "Louise Brooks is not chosen because she is Louise Brooks but because, for whatever reason, she looks likely to find it easier than anyone else might, to sink into and become a visual expression of Lulu in Pandora’s Box."

Brooks inhabited her character thoroughly and gives a great performance. Despite having appeared in 23 other films - some of them also very good, Brooks' role as Lulu is the one with which she is most identified. So much so, in fact, that it is not unusual for articles or web pages today to refer to the actress by the name of Lulu. If you haven't seen Pandora’s Box, don't miss this UK opportunity to see one of the great performances in film history on the big screen.

Little seen and long obscure, Beggars of Life is a film whose reputation is picking up steam.

Directed by William Wellman the year after he made Wings (the first film to win an Academy Award), Beggars of Life is a gripping drama about a girl (played by Brooks) dressed as a boy who flees the law after killing her abusive stepfather. On the run, she rides the rails through a male dominated hobo underworld in which danger is always close at hand. An American film magazine of the time, Picture Play, described the film as "Sordid, grim and unpleasant," though added "it is nevertheless interesting and is certainly a departure from the usual movie."

And that it is. But what's more, this special screening is a fine example of how invigorating the combination of a great silent movie and contemporary live music can be. The Dodge Brothers, an Americana-drenched roots music quartet featuring English film critic Mark Kermode on bass and harmonica, will accompany the film. When The Dodge Brothers accompanied Beggars of Life at the British Film Institute a years ago, they wowed a packed audience.

April will also see the release in England of a new novel inspired, in part, by Brooks early life. Laura Moriarty 's The Chaperone (Penguin) tells the story of Brooks' 1922 journey from Wichita, Kansas to New York City to join the Denishawn Dance Company, then America's leading modern dance troupe. Brooks was only 15 years old, and she was accompanied by a middle aged chaperone, whose story the novel also tells. We at the Louise Brooks Society are looking forward to its release in the United States next month.

Pictured above is the UK cover. Thanks to the great Meredith Lawrence for alerting us to
its publication "over there."