Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?: A Novel

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This author has given readers an extremely interesting storyline that can be discussed for quite some time. What saddened me so much is how Kitty's life always seemed like others were constantly making decisions for her, since childhood. And, She was stripped of true Love.. Crystal Smith Paul has written this like a real Dazzling movie also. If you’re fan of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and The Vanishing Half, you’ll love this story. It features similar elements but of course, very much stands on its own. Reading Paulette Jiles' revenge western Chenneville, it's easy to remember she's a poet. She plays ...

That’s the crux of the story, told through different timelines and perspectives —mainly Kitty in the past and the eldest St. John sister, Elise, in the present. Crystal Smith Paul attended Spelman College and UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television and received her master's in journalism from NYU. Her nonfiction writing has appeared in Salon, Jezebel, and HuffPost. She currently works in digital marketing for wellness and beauty brands. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? is her first novel. What kept me from loving the book were the present day/Elise chapters. For the most part, I found these chapters confusing. Everyone but Elise and a couple others seem terrified of letting Kitty's secret out, but it's not clearly explained why. It kind of dulls the impact of the final moments because their hesitation is just confusing. There are other parts that confused me, but I'll leave those out to avoid spoilers. The chapters aren't particularly strong compared to the past chapters. With the past, there's a strong, driving voice, and each moment is clear, emotional, and powerful. That same drive isn't there in the present chapters.We mainly follow the story from the perspectives of Kitty in the past and Elise in the present. And the beginning also features Kitty’s mother, Hazel. Trigger warning of sexual assault early on in the novel. I enjoyed "Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?" but I didn't love it. The past chapters, especially the ones from Kitty's perspective, were fantastic. There is a point where a ton of characters are introduced, and it gets confusing. Other than that, I was completely hooked and dying to know what happened next. Although I found the premise utterly intriguing and the writing to be bingeable, I struggled with the overall execution of this book, which left it feeling like a very average read with a lot to say but an inability to actually do so.

Before I even opened this book, I was intrigued. Who wouldn’t be with the title: Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? No, I had not heard about Kitty Karr, but from that moment, I wanted to meet her. After just the first few words of the opening chapter, I was drawn into the lives of Kitty Karr and all who knew and loved her as they came together to celebrate a life well-lived.Hidden behind the glitz and glamour of 1950s Hollywood were real lives (and heartbreaking, necessary, lies). Chapters in the "Present": The present chapters are my least favorite part of the book. The St. John sisters are hard to relate to, and having them already millionaires who weren't truly affected by Kitty's gift made me want to care less about them. Overall these chapters just dragged as again we're introduced to more unhappy, unmemorable characters. Kitty’s midwife Nellie eventually agrees to raise the baby, Sarah, as her own. Kitty ensures they are taken care of but she still wants to see Sarah. She even thinks to herself she’s happy to have a relationship with Sarah but at same time, she doesn’t envy Nellie’s constant motherhood duties. What does this thought process reveal about Kitty? Reflecting on the book as a whole, what do you think Crystal Smith Paul is trying to convey about the human experience, particularly in relation to family, race, and gender? How does the book prompt us to examine our own choices and the inheritances we carry? Discuss the potential for personal growth, reconciliation, and breaking free from societal constraints as depicted in the book.

On the Virtual Book Tour podcast, Paul talked about her interest in fame as a subject. “I’ve always been very interested in the notion of celebrity…as a microcosm. I’m very into movies and storytelling in general. At one point, I did go to film school, and realized that it was writing, specifically, that I wanted to do.” From the acclaimed author of The Girls of Ennismore comes a captivating and extraordinary tale of perseverance and bravery. This touching saga of sisterhood—perfect for fans of Fiona Davis and Marie Benedict—follows two young Irish women yearning for independence and adventure, as they set sail on RMS Titanic—the “ship of dreams”—only to be faced with the tragedy of that fabled maiden voyage…The author has a way of not allowing you to sympathize with characters without presenting the painful facts. Only then you can choose to form your opinions on the characters. For Kitty, she feels she’s left with no choice. In her opinion, events in her life happen to her and she has to figure out how to move forward. What’s interesting is a character says to Elise in the present that he doesn’t believe that—there’s always a choice to be made. Kitty Kar! : She is a main character that shines and feels real. I understood her motives, her fears, her actions, and I empathized with her every step of the way. Kitty is truly THAT girl. As she grows up, Joan finds relief in her artwork, painting portraits of the community in Memphis. One of her subjects is their enigmatic neighbor Miss Dawn, who claims to know something about curses, and whose stories about the past help Joan see how her passion, imagination, and relentless hope are, in fact, the continuation of a long matrilineal tradition. Joan begins to understand that her mother, her mother’s mother, and the mothers before them persevered, made impossible choices, and put their dreams on hold so that her life would not have to be defined by loss and anger—that the sole instrument she needs for healing is her paintbrush. I felt Kitty’s storyline overall was very strong and engaging. This is truly the heartbeat of the novel. Kitty’s Choices

This was a book I won’t forget. It touched upon issues in our country’s history I had never considered before. I loved how the perspectives in the story all came together. I couldn’t put it down. Elise St. John, a modern-day celebrity, is caught up in scandals and controversies while trying to uncover the truth about Kitty’s past. How do her personal struggles and conflicts reflect the larger themes of power, privilege, and the pursuit of authenticity? Discuss the choices Elise makes and the consequences they have on her relationships and self-discovery.

How did the author’s narrative structure and storytelling techniques contribute to your overall engagement with the book? Did they effectively convey the intended messages or create a unique reading experience? Secrets play a significant role in the narrative, with Kitty’s journals holding key revelations. Discuss the theme of secrets and their impact on the characters’ lives. How do secrets shape their decisions and relationships? Explore the idea of the power that secrets of the deceased hold over the living. While Elise thinks it’s time for the public to know the truth—Sarah doesn’t agree. Do you think Kitty wanted the world to know as well? And I agree. I think while of course, there are things that happen to Kitty, she makes the choice to go along with it too. Editorial note: I received a copy of Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.