Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?: A Novel

Product Information

Elise St. John, one of the sisters and a celebrity in her own right, finds herself knee-deep in sorting out Kitty’s affairs. But what she discovers in Kitty’s journals turns her world upside down. We’re talking scandal, family ties, debts owed, and even debatable crimes. Whoa, right? This is a very well done novel. An impressive debut that covers a wide range of topics from racism, family, fame, motherhood and more. I did not want to put this book down. Elise St. John, a celebrity herself, faces various personal challenges throughout the book, including a cheating fiancé and a controversial social media post. How do these external pressures influence her exploration of Kitty’s past and her own self-discovery? How does she navigate the intersection of fame, personal relationships, and the pursuit of truth? Too Many Side Characters: There are so many characters and names mentioned in this book, and a lot of them are easily forgotten and it causes certain plot points to not hit as hard as it could.

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? Kitty eventually embarks on a romance with the studio head, Nathan. Do you feel they were actually in love? Why or why not? In love with literature? Try audio books or writing classes for free for 30 days.✨ About the Author Sequestered for a week already, Elise found her stress now was compounded by her sisters’ pending arrival. Physical proximity would force the closeness that only a shared childhood could bring. Everything had changed overnight, and she didn’t know how to pretend with them that it hadn’t. Elise could mimic emotions she didn’t feel on command but had no ability to express the ones that were true. How does the revelation of Kitty Karr’s hidden past impact Elise St. John and her perception of her own choices? Discuss the significance of uncovering secrets and the power they hold over the characters.Sarah reveals that she was so angry when she found out Kitty is her real mother. Let’s talk about the impact of the revelation to Sarah. How did influence her own views of motherhood? 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. So, grab your coziest blanket, make yourself a hot cup of cocoa (or your beverage of choice), and join me as we unravel the mysteries and dive deep into the world of Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? Many thanks to Henry Holt & Co. for the opportunity to read this book in advance of its publication. I would love to see this story brought to the screen.

Throughout our discussion, we’ll delve into the tangled secrets of Kitty’s rise to stardom, shining a light on the unexpected connections and challenges faced by the St. John sisters and those closest to them. And while we’re uncovering these hidden truths, we’ll also have the chance to reflect on our own choices and the power of secrets in our lives. It’s a journey of self-discovery that we can all relate to on some level. Underdeveloped and/or Boring Main Characters: Elise, the older sister and our main point of view, seemed miserable in her life yet also unwilling to do anything about it until Kitty's gift which made for a chore to read. I feel like we didn't get enough about Elise, her mother, her father, or her sisters, or any of the people at the memorial. We didn't realize anyone's importance or struggles until the end and by then, it was hard to feel or empathize with anyone. Plus Elise's epiphany and desire to good by the end of this felt superficial at best and egotistical at worse with her exposition dump of newly acquired social justice knowledge felt rushed and forced. 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… 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?

🍪 Privacy & Transparency

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.

Nora insists they retreat to Summer Island in the San Juans, to the lovely old house on the water where Ruby grew up, a place filled with childhood memories of love and joy and belonging. There Ruby is also reunited with her first love and his brother. Once, the three of them had been best friends, inseparable. Until the summer that Nora had left and everyone’s hearts had been broken. . . . 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. Discuss the theme of inheritance and its various forms in the novel. How do the characters navigate the legacies they have been given, whether it’s wealth, fame, or family ties? In what ways does inheritance shape their identities and choices?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. Though Paul crowds the narrative with far too many underdeveloped characters and makes a few too many implausible plot leaps, she ably describes Kitty's transformation and unflinchingly details the racism, misogyny, and exploitation Kitty faced as a young woman. Though a bit clunky, the dramatic story and hefty subject matter would make a fine adaptation to the silver screen." ― Publishers Weekly Kitty was Elise’s next door neighbor and two develop a special bond. And even when she learns the truth about Kitty—that she was her real grandmother—Elise never blames her for her decisions. While at the same time, Elise is frustrated with her mother and her absence during childhood. Why do you think Elise forgave Kitty but it’s harder for her to come to terms with her mother? 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. Kitty’s storyline is really the heartbeat of the novel, though. It shines a light on a dark facet of American history.

So I’m curious to hear what are people’s overall impression of Kitty. Especially when she makes some crucial decisions in the novel. Verdict Three woman who join together to rent a large space along the beach in Los Angeles for their stores—a gift shop, a bakery, and a bookstore—become fast friends as they each experience the highs, and lows, of love. A multigenerational saga that traverses the glamour of old Hollywood and the seductive draw of modern-day showbiz Book club questions for Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul explore a mesmerizing journey through the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood, intertwined with the irresistible allure of modern-day showbiz.It was cloudy, and the only light was from the spokes of the Ferris wheel. It sat low on the fourth tier of their property, so only half of it was visible from the house. It was a gift, given to her mother more than two decades ago by a French director courting her for a film she ultimately declined. Her mother thought it was an eyesore but kept it for the sake of good conversation. Visitors likened it to a giant dream catcher, fitting considering that what and who lay behind its presence mirrored the collected, albeit programmed, wants of many. It was a symbol of celebrity, a club into which everyone wanted entry—a partition between gods and mortals. From the Perch, Elise did feel somewhat godly.