Though I was uncertain about this book at times, The Chaperone finally wrapped up into something that I appreciated and thought worth reading. My initial frustration came from the span the book covers. From the title and my memories of the summary, I thought the book would deal only with the summer in which an older mid-Western lady chaperoned a wild teenage dancer on a trip to New York City. Much happens that summer and then....decades follow. What, it's not over yet?! 
 The book begins during the 1920s with mid-western minds scandalized by the women's liberation movement, alcohol consumption, unwed mothers, and a host of other shocking behavior. As the story progresses over the following decades, the characters experience awakenings and constantly reevaluate their stance on social norms in regard to gender and sexuality. Basically, as faces are put on these issues, Cora and her companions' world views grow. Tolerance, understanding, and eventual embracing. 
 I was also frustrated by the continual slut shaming and hypocrisy until I realized the characters were just being depicted as real. One revelation wasn't enough to purge them of their prejudice. They had to experience being on the other side of shame and slowly see everyone as individuals rather than anecdotes. Not everyone gets a happy ending, but their lives all seem rich in experience especially in the sense of all the changes in technology and behavior that took place over the course of the 1900s. I think it would be an interesting book to read as an introduction to studying 20th century American history if only to highlight our continual struggle with these same issues and to invite discussion of social justice.