The Calamity Club - Kathryn Stockett

The Calamity Club

By Kathryn Stockett

  • Release Date: 2026-05-05
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 2,068 Ratings

Description

“So immersive, exciting, and downright fabulous, you never want it to end.”—Oprah Daily

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * The multimillion-copy-selling author of The Help returns with a bold, big-hearted novel about a group of unbreakable women, fighting for what’s rightfully theirs—and the power of friendship to change everything.

“Pure, hell-raising entertainment.”—The New York Times Book Review

Oxford, Mississippi, 1933.

Abandoned by her mother one Christmas Eve, eleven-year-old Meg Lefleur has learned the hard way to rely on no one. Now one of the unadoptable "big girls" at the Lafayette County Orphan Asylum, she fights each day to keep her spirit unbowed.

Birdie Calhoun, unmarried and outspoken, has come to Oxford to ask her socialite sister to help the struggling family she’s left behind. But as the Depression tightens its grip, Birdie discovers her sister’s seemingly charmed life is a tapestry of lies.

Then, Birdie encounters Charlie, a woman running low on luck with little left to lose. When their fates—and Meg’s—converge, Charlie comes up with an audacious plan for them to take control of their lives. But in a place and time where hypocrisy is rife and women’s freedom is fragile, even the smallest act of defiance can have dangerous consequences.

The Calamity Club will make you laugh, cry, and cheer—an epic testament to underestimated women who know that calamity can be the spark of new beginnings. This is Kathryn Stockett at her most confident, heartfelt, and hilarious—the triumphant return of one of the most beloved storytellers of our time.

Reviews

  • I loved this book.

    5
    By ssofty
    What a great read. Instantly interested in the characters, but after two chapters it had not grabbed me.. Maybe it was just me being distracted or maybe it was the book, but my friend Deb told me to “stick with it. “. And so glad I did. Now I think the slow start was on me. Set in the Mississippi Delta and Oxford, Mississippi during the depression, times were very bleak for all the characters. But the characters are relatable and there is humor despite the hard lives they live. What a great storyteller! She really paints a picture..found myself stopping to reread a line and thinking “that’s really poignant… or funny… or true… or what a beautiful setting.” Also there is Interesting insight into 1933 women’s issues too…forced sterilizations for the “feeble minded.” Anyway.., Highly recommend this book. You’ll love Birdie and Meg and all the other characters! Shoutout to feisty Ruby. Thanks to Louann and Deb for both making sure I stuck with it.
  • An eye opener for the time period

    5
    By Lopingirl
    My mother would have been the same age as Meg in this story’s time line. Great care of research included for this book made me realize what a different world America was in the 1930’s and how far we’ve come as a people. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time! It is quite long but I must say I was sorry for it to be over when I finished it!
  • Great book

    5
    By Bchbum61
    Very enjoyable read right from the start!
  • Fabulous

    5
    By braypip
    Loved this book! It captivated me from the very first chapter and I’m so sad I’ve read it all. I miss the characters like they were real friends.
  • There were many times I had to put this book down.

    5
    By Muffe and Taylor
    The empty loneliness of Meg. The destitution. The meanness ingrained in some people all are part of this story. But, the hopefulness, and the humor were also a huge part of the story. Read it.
  • Didn’t want it to end!

    5
    By Konstrict
    I haven’t read a book that I wanted to keep going and going more than this one in a long while.
  • Great!

    5
    By Ringozara
    Another amazing book
  • Sisterhood at her best

    5
    By JodiEve
    Beyond well-written…this story captured and enlightened me. Heartbreaking yet heartwarming, tragic yet funny…the characters now live within me as unexpected friends I’d help in a heartbeat. I will recommend this book to everyone! 💛
  • Amazing women

    5
    By drdinbfe
    The Calamity Club is a tale of strong women struggling (and successfully doing more than survive) in a time when women, children and minorities were treated as less than equal. Hard to put down and ultimately a feel good story
  • Loved it.

    5
    By C/O
    I hope there is a sequel.