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A review by mhinnen
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love books that feature strong women . . . Especially when they represent a resistance that subverts the status quo. Did you hear about Kitty Karr fits that description. I really enjoyed this story that explores a network of Black women in Hollywood in the 1950s some of whom are passing as White. The life of Kitty Karr is told in a dual timeline with the 2017 story taking place shortly after Kitty’s death.
It had a Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo feeling to it with as the unexpected twists unfold. And throughout, I found myself wondering how I would respond in a similar situation. What is the ethical response when immoral systems of racism and misogyny try to limit and control. Did you hear about Kitty Karr delves into America’s shameful history of slavery and Jim Crow, the power and privilege of white men, and the importance and complications of women friendships.
I think that with a good editor, I would give this book 5 stars. Some of the sentences were hard to follow, the 2017 storyline felt a little messy, and there were so many characters who I couldn’t keep track of.
Overall though it was a powerful read and I look forward to seeing what Crystal Smith Paul writes next!
It had a Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo feeling to it with as the unexpected twists unfold. And throughout, I found myself wondering how I would respond in a similar situation. What is the ethical response when immoral systems of racism and misogyny try to limit and control. Did you hear about Kitty Karr delves into America’s shameful history of slavery and Jim Crow, the power and privilege of white men, and the importance and complications of women friendships.
I think that with a good editor, I would give this book 5 stars. Some of the sentences were hard to follow, the 2017 storyline felt a little messy, and there were so many characters who I couldn’t keep track of.
Overall though it was a powerful read and I look forward to seeing what Crystal Smith Paul writes next!