This review is my own opinion and NOT affiliated with any other literary entity
As a white person, I have never been banned from theaters, restaurants, water fountains, restrooms, or denied medical attention based on the color of my skin. As a rational human being my heart aches and my blood boils each time I hear of another senseless death based on race. But I will never fully understand the fear, the anger, the spider's web of emotions involved in navigating life with with skin any shade darker than white. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? examines race not only in Hollywood but in every day life.
Kitty Karr was a legendary Hollywood figure - an Oscar, gowns, jewels, marriage to a studio head, and all the trappings of a perfect celebrity life. When she passes away she leaves a vast fortune to her three neighbors whom Kitty had known since they were children. No one understands why - these girls don't need Kitty's fortune. Unapologetically wealthy and just as unapologetically black, the St John family - musician father, actress mother, two actress daughters, and a daughter aspiring to become a lawyer, the St John family knows privilege. Elise St John, an actress poised on the next level of stardom - successful Oscar bait film, handsome actor boyfriend, was the closest to Kitty and her death hits her the hardest. Elise and Kitty's lives parallel each other - beautiful it girls of the screen wanting to do more and be seen for what they have to say about the world.
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? is not the novel I expected to read. I thought I would find a Hollywood novel full of studio gossip and gossamer gowns. Instead of found a hard-hitting examination of race and prejudice from those who have racial trauma in every trace of their genetic makeup. I did feel the novel overlooked a couple details that could have been explored more in depth. We don't see any of Elise and Kitty directly interacting. Some characters serve as mere plot points, and one character, important to Kitty's story, is not mentioned again after a certain point. The book is important examination of society and how to best use the privilege afforded to you no matter your race.