The Calamity Club Book Review
Chances are you stumbled onto this post wondering one of three things about The Calamity Club:
- Is the hype real? Should I read it?
- OMG I loved it and am looking for what to read next?
- OMG did I really just spend 30 hours of my life for the book to end like that?
Well friend, you're in luck, because I've got all the answers you're searching for when it comes to The Calamity Club. As the self-professed Queen of Historical Fiction, I have some thoughts about this much loved new book from Kathryn Stockett, so sit back and scroll down.
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Quick Look
- 1930s Mississippi setting
- riches-to-rags story
- lots of Southern wit and sass
- quirky cast of characters
- moral ambiguity
- great on audio
- sophomore follow-up to a massive hit
Published May 2026
Publisher's Synopsis
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.
My Review
Ok, first things first, let's get this out of the way. I loved The Calamity Club, but I also see it's flaws, so anyone looking for validation after not enjoying should stick around for an honest review. Next, I should also let you know that I am SOUTHERN, like real Southern. And just like Stockett, I moved away from the South and became super liberal in my view points, but in my heart of hearts, I am still very Southern. And this book hits different if you're Southern, so let's start there.
Southern Charm
As I told someone on social media, this book is uniquely Southern (at least as it compares to other new fiction). It's self-deprecating, doesn't take itself too serious, and knows how to have a good time. And like any good Southerner, we know that life if better with a little flavor. This book is full of flavor, with sassy characters, morally gray decision making, and down-to-earth perspectives on life. It's not going to read like a serious book, meaning all the topics you expect Stockett to really sink her teeth into feel sort of glazed over and surface level. That's not to say that Stockett, or Southerners in general, aren't serious people. We just know that you're never going to convince someone to agree with you when you're beating them over the head. We would much rather tell you a story, and that's just what Stockett has done with The Calamity Club.
Storytelling
Like my beloved Rebecca Wells, Stockett is a master storyteller. She can spin a yarn as they say. One of the best things about this book is the storytelling. Stockett invites you into the world of Birdie and Meg, sits you down for a sweet tea and proceeds to paint a picture. Everything from the vivid sensory details (sights/smells/sounds) to the vernacular evoke the time and place, instantly transporting you to 1930s Oxford. Soon, you find yourself so immersed in the story that it's hard to put the book down, so if you're looking for that type of read, you should absolutely read this book.
Characters
Not only is Stockett a master at setting the stage, she's also a very gifted character writer. We first meet Birdie, who readers can instantly relate to with her hesitant manner and snarky observations. Then we meet Meg who literally leeps off the page, taking you by the hand while telling you what she thinks and feels about life as an 11 year-old orphan in South Mississippi. Before you know it, both feel like old friends. And while we meet unsavory and unlikeable characters along the way, almost every character has a redeeming quality (I said almost), giving you a reason to pull for them even if they are minor players. Stockett does skimp a bit on depth with some of the supporting cast, leaving some wanting more, but I felt her character development with her main characters (Meg, Birdie, Charlie, Frances, and Mrs. Tartt) was strong.
Pacing
If I'm being honest, this is where things fell off a bit for me. This book is LONG, y'all. At over 650 pages (29 hours on audio), you'd think you'd get some more in-depth character studies of ALL the characters. You'd also expect the ending not to be rushed. Despite the length, neither of those things are true. While it starts strong out of the gate, The Calamity Club drags a bit in the middle, with some scenes feeling tedious and unnecessary. There's also an entire subplot around Meg that feels superfluous, leaving you to wonder "where is this going?" You're not wrong to question that, as the plot doesn't really add much to the story other than drama. And the rushed ending left me (and many other readers) feeling a little like I'd been left in the lurch. My theory is that Stockett will pick up where she left off with this story. Either that or she simply got tired of writing this one.
Moral Ambiguity
Aside from the pacing issues, MOST people who dislike the book are folks who disliked the book's content. I don't want to share any spoilers, so I can only vaguely say that the choices and actions of some of the women in the book will be perceived as immoral by some. Additionally, the overall moral ambiguity of the story will leave some feeling frustrated or icky, depending on their world view. Are the characters wrong for making the choices they make, especially considering the LACK of choices available to women at the time. I think this is actually Stockett's loudest opinion if you listen; she is encouraging readers to view those choices through the lens of that period in history rather than cast judgment while wearing 2026 blinders.
Humor
Good Southern fiction should make you laugh. End of story. And Stockett's books do just that! Meg's inner dialogue is especially effective, getting me to chuckle aloud quite a lot. Birdie's dry sense of humor and self-deprecation particularly appealed to me, with some of her snarky responses sounding exactly like something I would say. Not only are the conversations humorous, plenty of the situations the women find themselves in are hysterical. And Stockett's vivid descriptions and colorful storytelling only add to the charm and wit of the book.
Friendship
If you're a fan of books centered on female friendship, this is an absolute must read. The found family and friendship elements of this book harken back to the best parts of The Help. Women helping women is a central theme of this story. Though it's sometimes reluctantly, most of the women in this book see value in uplifting their fellow woman. Doesn't mean she won't have a few well-timed barbs or funny quips, but she will SHOW UP for you. That's the kind of female-focused story I love, and The Calamity Club ticked that box.
Feminism
As I've already said, this book doesn't beat you over the head with facts and details about important historical topics (try Ellen Marie Wiseman or Susan Meissner if you're looking for that). What Stockett does instead, and rather effectively, is to SHOW you how those topics or events impact the women in the story. For example, we don't get a lot of backstory or details about eugenics or the Anti-Vice League; instead, we get to hear about Charlie's personal experiences and the perceived threat posed by Garnett Pittman. I don't disagree that additional context about some of the more serious themes would have improved the book, but I think it would have changed the book, making it less Stockett and more like any other historical fiction author.
My Rating
Despite some of the issues I point out above, I still thought this was TERRIFIC Southern fiction. Stockett delivered BIG with this massive opus, bringing to life characters that many will never forget. Laugh aloud funny moments and big-hearted storytelling make The Calamity Club one of those books you can't wait to pick up again and miss when it's finally finished. It's absolutely worth the hype and the time even if the ending leaves you wanting more.
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Hi, I'm Carlie
I’m a historical fiction fanatic passionate about sharing newly released books, book club picks, and the types of stories that linger long after the last lines. If that sounds like the type of books you love to read, then you’re in the right place!
