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franklyfrank's review
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ashleypford's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
author2223's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Body shaming and Suicide attempt
ag_esq's review
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
franzreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide attempt and Domestic abuse
momadvice's review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
If Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? was your favorite historical fiction book from last summer, ReShonda Tate's historical fiction debut is your next best bet. Be sure to give Lynette R. Freeman's audiobook performance a spin- it was phenomenal in this novel.
The story swiftly starts with Hattie McDaniel's historic supporting actress win at the Academy Awards for her portrayal of Mammy in Gone With the Wind. This role remains a controversial performance even today, but to discredit Hattie's performance also erases her hard work and the Hollywood limitations placed upon a Black woman in the industry.
Hattie thought this award would propel her into being a coveted actress for future projects, dreaming of theatrical roles that would stretch her. Unfortunately, she was forever typecast into the role of housekeeper, but that's not to say that Hattie didn't fight every day for Hollywood to give her something better.
Whether she was butting heads with the NAACP, fighting racial segregation in her neighborhood, falling madly in love with four different men (at least), or finding an unusually steadfast friendship with Clark Gable- this juicy tell-all reads like a Ryan Murphy flick in a book.
In her author's note, Tate reluctantly shared that Hattie persistently appeared to her in dreams and that she had been thinking about this writing project for many years. You can tell that Tate lived and breathed this project for years as she takes the reader through the historical details and author’s note at the tail end of her book.
It was a treat to look up the images of these places mentioned and to have a new reverence for McDaniel's work on the show—the author did her homework, and it showed on every page. To say more will rob you of a lot of incredible trivia missions. You will never watch the film the same way again.
TAG: Old Hollywood, Books About Nurses, Books Set At Hospitals, BIPOC Authors