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? 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.” 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? Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing .Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Halfconsiders the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person’s decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins. Paul's debut is a riveting, often heartbreaking tale that explores race, privilege, and celebrity in America through the eyes of a one-of-a-kind character. Readers of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Piper Huguley will be enthralled."

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. Reflecting on the portrayal of strong female characters, such as Kitty, Elise, and Hazel, what messages does the book convey about women’s resilience, agency, and the pursuit of their own dreams? Discuss the importance of female relationships and the ways in which they support and shape the characters’ journeys.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.

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. So I’m curious to hear what are people’s overall impression of Kitty. Especially when she makes some crucial decisions in the novel. VerdictCrystal Smith Paul’s debut novel Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? is reminiscent of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and The Vanishing Half, both of which I highly recommend. Kitty Karr, not so much.

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. 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. Kitty eventually embarks on a romance with the studio head, Nathan. Do you feel they were actually in love? Why or why not? The author portrays strong and resilient female characters throughout the book. Discuss the role of women in the story and their agency in shaping their own destinies. How do the characters challenge traditional gender roles and expectations? Explore the relationships between mothers and daughters, sisters, and female friendships in the book. A multigenerational saga that traverses the glamour of old Hollywood and the seductive draw of modern-day showbizWhy 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? 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.