Did You Hear about Kitty Karr?: A Novel

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Why did Kitty wait until she passed away for Elise and the rest of the family to know the truth about their family? Why didn’t she tell Elise when she was alive? Reflect on the book’s ending and its implications. Did it leave you with any lingering questions or unresolved ideas? How did the conclusion tie together the various narrative threads and themes, and did it satisfy your expectations as a reader? She stayed on the Perch until her 6:00 am alarm for her workout, mandatory for her anxiety management. That morning she finished the entire hour and still felt unsettled.

I hope you and your book club will enjoy my discussion reading guide for Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul.✨ 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. 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. 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?With the praise came theories about her mysterious life and the circumstances of her demise. Kitty had become an urban legend postmortem, a Sunset Boulevard caricature who, rumor said, had committed suicide after years of seclusion. Kitty quit acting in her early fifties and, aside from a few rare public appearances, hadn’t been photographed in more than twenty years. In love with literature? Try audio books or writing classes for free for 30 days.✨ About the Author

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. 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. A year ago, the sisters had all promised to come home to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of their parents’ legendary Halloween costume party. It was the occasion they all loved most and, for that reason, it almost felt as though Kitty had planned her passing now, knowing her neighbors, the St. Johns, would all be together.Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? is an intoxicating and seductive debut, drawing you into an underground Hollywood world that is as glamorous as it is dangerous. Kitty Karr is an iconoclastic, complicated, and fascinating woman whose legacy is as relevant as ever today. Crystal Smith Paul is a thrilling new voice in fiction and I cannot wait to see what she does next." Besides the overdone storyline, there were a few other aspects that didn't work out for me. First, there were too many POVs, making it confusing at times. It would often get jumbled and I had to re-read certain chapters to make sense of it all. This is a slow burn book, so it took awhile to get into the story. The book was too long and I struggled with the execution. The writing itself left alot to be desired. I really could not relate to the St. John sisters. You are already millionaires, who just inherited more millions and they were unhappy, ungrateful and overall seemed miserable in their lives. 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. So, did you know my grandmother is coming to Kitty’s memorial?” Rebecca asked. At Kitty’s request, the St. Johns were hosting a memorial and private auction the next evening at her home.

Kitty gets somewhat settled into her job at the Hollywood studio and she eventually meets a makeup artist who is also passing. This introduces her to a network of women, both passing and not, who are working to help those suffering through the Jim Crow South. Let’s talk about our thoughts about the sections dedicated to this work by the women. Currently based in Los Angeles, Crystal works in e-commerce marketing for wellness and beauty brands, while she continues to pursue her passion for writing. Her love for staying connected to pop culture, dining, and German Shepherd dogs adds vibrancy to her life. As she works on her second novel, eagerly anticipated to be published by Holt, we can’t wait to embark on another captivating literary journey crafted by this talented author. Book Club Questions for Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? It had been four years since the entire St. John family had been together. Days after Noele’s NYU graduation, Giovanni, the middle daughter, had moved to Toronto to film what became a hit AMC show. Their parents, working through a battle in their marriage, took up residence in Paris by that December, granting Elise family separation and consequent career growth. Three or four out of the five gathered every few months or so during holidays, events, or times when their work obligations converged, but Noele’s college graduation had rendered the St. John estate a true empty nest, and everyone but Elise had scattered. Hope you enjoyed my book club discussion questions and reading guide for Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul! 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.

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For fans of Evelyn Hugo and Dava Shastri's Last Day, a highly anticipated read that showcases a main character who sacrifices so much and relevant themes like motherhood, identity, and fame, but struggles to truly land on a message. The book features dual timelines, with one focusing on Kitty Karr’s rise to stardom in Hollywood and the other centered around Elise St. John in the present day. How does the use of multiple perspectives and timelines enhance your understanding of Kitty’s past and its impact on Elise’s present? Discuss the parallels and contrasts between the two timelines and how they contribute to the overall narrative.

A book begging to be read on the beach, with the sun warming the sand and salt in the air: pure escapism. Kitty’s storyline is really the heartbeat of the novel, though. It shines a light on a dark facet of American history. 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? Fine.” Rebecca sighed. “We’re happy to try. Being nominated, and winning, is our primary goal.” Elise had Golden Popcorn trophies and Viewer’s Choice awards, but an Oscar win would be pivotal to her career.

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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. Kitty eventually embarks on a romance with the studio head, Nathan. Do you feel they were actually in love? Why or why not? We could have a wedding tomorrow if you wanted to.” Susie, Elise’s agent, sat in the middle of the table to Elise’s right. 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.