Author of 'The Help' Returns With a Fictional Story Testing the Grit of Southern Women During the Mid 1930's

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

At a time and age when females have little or no particular liberties, can an orphan, a spinster, and an unfortunate woman avenge societal norms. More than 17 years after the release of her widely popular New York Times best-selling novel 'The Help', multiple award winning author Kathryn Stockett returns with 'The Calamity Club', another fictional period piece set in the deep south during the backdrop of the great depression. 

Left at the Lafayette County Orphan Asylum two days before Christmas, Meg LeFleur is easily the brightest and most resourceful 11 year old girl at the children's home. Considered well past the age of adoption, is her future set for a cannery job due to a personal vendetta held by the home's cruel and heartless Miss Garnett.

An old maid by 1933 standards, Birdie Calhoun is the antithesis of her married narcissistic sister Franny. Book smart, assertive, and overly kind-hearted Birdie travels to Oxford, Mississippi to visit her sister, only to discover her younger sibling is a living a life full of known and unknown lies.

Enter Charlie, a slightly older woman who has been wronged a few times during her lifetime, even more so over the past several years. Outraged, with very little to lose Charlie devises a scheme, hoping to reclaim what is rightfully hers.

Amid the summer of 1933 can three women of varying ages, and different backgrounds form a bond to undo social injustices. Stockett offers up 600 plus pages, not only to the testament of female resilience and unlikely forged friendships, but a lengthy read proving new beginnings can emerge regardless of past misfortunes.

While the storylines in 'The Calamity Club' and 'The Help' are set decades apart, their fictional content mirror the times they are set in, providing readers a real-life history lesson on social and racial divides present during the 20th century. As in her earlier book Stockett knows how to define main and supporting characters.

Despite its overall length 'The Calamity Club' is full of warmth and humor. It's ideal for a summer read. Released May 5th, Kathryn Stockett's latest page turner can be purchased in your local bookstore or online by visiting the publisher's website at https://www.spiegelandgrau.com/the-calamity-club