The Calamity Club

By: Kathryn Stockett

In 1933 Mississippi, as the echoes of the past reverberate through grand estates and struggling orphanages, the lives of women—from privileged sisters to forgotten girls and watchful matriarchs—intertwine, revealing the power and fragility of these connections.

Mississippi, 1933. The nation grapples with the relentless grip of the Great Depression. Across the Delta and in the town of Oxford, families face dwindling fortunes and uncertain futures.

In this precarious time, Birdie travels from the Delta to visit her sister Frances in the seemingly prosperous town of Oxford. However, behind the imposing facade of their family home, Birdie discovers that Frances’s marriage to the ambitious banker Rory Tartt is crumbling under the weight of unforeseen financial disaster. Faced with the potential loss of everything, Birdie must navigate complex family loyalties and make difficult choices to protect those she loves.

Meanwhile, miles away at the Lafayette County Orphan Asylum, Meg, a resilient and observant young girl, dreams of a life beyond the institution’s walls. Under the strict rule of Miss Faye, Meg clings to hope for a family while witnessing the harsh realities faced by the sixteen girls in her care. The arrival of Birdie, seeking temporary work at the orphanage, offers an unexpected connection and a potential lifeline for Meg.

Haunted by the past and driven by a fierce determination, Charlie arrives in Oxford searching for her daughter, Meg, who was placed in the asylum. Charlie’s desperate quest to reunite with her daughter will force her to confront the powerful figures who control Meg’s fate and uncover the painful truths that led to their separation.

From the grand estates teetering on the brink of ruin to the stark confines of the orphanage, this novel paints a vivid portrait of Mississippi during the Great Depression. As the characters’ lives intersect, secrets will be brought to light, sacrifices will be made and the very definitions of family and home will be tested against the backdrop of a nation struggling to survive.

Critic reviews

"Smart, funny and driven by unforgettable characters whose opinions and actions leap off the page, this is a must-read." —Bonnie Garmus, author of the international bestseller Lessons in Chemistry

"As witty, bold and transportive as it is heartbreaking and compassionate, The Calamity Club is storytelling at its finest. Stockett's masterfully drawn characters are simply unforgettable. Bravo to Meg, Birdie and Charlie for reminding us to never underestimate the bottomless resilience of smart, spirited women in revolt against circumstance and injustice." —Shelley Read, author of the international bestseller Go as a River

"With exquisite storytelling and unforgettable characters, The Calamity Club is a joyful, heartbreaking, heartwarming read. I loved it so much." —Jennie Godfrey, author of the Sunday Times bestseller The List of Suspicious Things