Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism, gender discrimination, and graphic violence.

 Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? explores the concept of “passing” and the sacrifices individuals make to navigate a racist society. How did the story of Kitty’s double life affect your understanding of racial identity in America? Did you find her choices understandable given the context?

2. The conversational tone of the novel’s title suggests gossip, secrets, and revelations. By the end of the novel, what do you think the author was suggesting about the impact of secrets?

 Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Kitty makes the difficult decision to pass as white, gaining access to privileges and opportunities while losing connection to her identity and family. Have you ever had to hide or downplay an aspect of your identity to gain acceptance or advantage in a particular environment? How did that experience compare to Kitty’s?

2. When Elise posts about racial issues on social media, her publicist deletes the content because it’s “off-brand” (96). Have you ever faced pressure to remain silent about issues that matter to you for professional or social reasons? How did you navigate that tension?