So I enjoyed a lot about this book. I loved that it promoted feminist ideals, but it didn't feel like preaching. The story revolves around the fictional Cora Carlisle and her journey to better understanding and a new life. Because we are along for the ride as she realizes that the things she always believed are wrong, Cora's musings on her beliefs seem genuine, rather than an attempt to shove an opinion in the reader's face (which I dislike even when it's an opinion with which I agree). I also loved the fact that Louise Brooks was the axis around which the story revolved, but not the focus of it. If it had been a fictional account of the life of Louise herself, the story wouldn't have worked for me; but while Louise's life certainly plays a large role in the novel, the real focus is on Cora. That Moriarty chose to write about the home life of an average (or mostly average) woman, rather than to delve into the drama and hardship of Brooks's real life, was an astute and refreshing move. 
 The air of change and discovery keeps this novel feeling lively, even though Moriarty's writing style is more slow and introspective. The two things both contrasted with and complimented one another. I didn't want to put this one down. 
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 Rating: 4.5 Misguided Opinions 
 Favourite Quote: "She had, it seemed, two options: continued hunger, or, if she ate a full meal, the corset's further reprimand. The gnaw from the inside or the squeeze from the outside. Which was worse? She knew she was tired of hunger. That was what she knew." 
 Recommend: Definitely