A Dead Good Read

I have to say I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was picked up in poundland one day and it proved to be a very entertaining read.

It centres on the friendship of Krissie and Sarah and shows the fractures of their fragile lives through their connection. Sarah wants a baby but can't, Krissie has one after a one night stand.

The author has written an interesting and entertaining book, with sparks of dark humour in the even the darkest moments. The characters are interesting, layered and flawed; their imperfections are what make them tick here and you are left curious as to how these two women have remained friends for so long despite their differing approaches to life; yet through that they need each other.

What is interesting is the psychological aspect of their personalities seeping through the pages; through their desires and their paranoia and fears. The book from one character's pov to another very well, usually connecting one's story with the other's; even highlighting someone's fragile state through the differing povs.

A surprisingly entertaining book, a perfect summer read that does keep you guessing and invest in the characters. Definitely worth a read.

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

I finished this book disappointed to an extent. I have been a huge fan of Louise Brooks and upon hearing of the book I was excited.

To be fair, the book is good. There are some good characterizations and some (shocking) revelations. However, I was left unconvinced of the main protagonist; she just wasn't interesting enough for me.

From the moment Louise Brooks enters, however, the page the story takes on a whole new dimension. Here is someone who is determined, ambitious, challenging, engaging - alive!

The setting is 1922 and Moriarty sets the scene spectacularly, introducing the various characters and the places and situations well. There are some tense scenes that make gripping reading.

The scenes involving Brooks are quite amazing and its through her interactions with Brooks that the main character Cora, comes to life.Cora's background and reasons for acting as chaperone are slowly revealed and you do get a sense of someone who could be interesting but remains passive throughout the majority of the novel.

I felt that once both parties went their separate ways then the story could have wrapped up - but it didn't.

Once Louise is out of the picture we are left with Cora to see us through til the end. Cora herself is not unlikable, she's just too dull.

The story itself is basically a journey of self discovery, whereby Cora finds out more about herself through her time with Louise and returns home to Kansas a different woman. A good, solid plot that worked well but went on a little too long and took away the magic for me.

But if you are a fan of Louise Brooks then I would recommend this as it captures much of Brooks' strong personality through good writing.