Book Club Questions for The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

This post contains links to products that I may receive compensation from at no additional cost to you. View my Affiliate Disclosure page here.

Book club questions for The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett take a closer look at this dynamic novel about a group of women coming together to rewrite their futures. There will be spoilers, so for more context about the book, check out my spoiler-free review first.

I so enjoyed The Calamity Club! And, actually, despite its length, I didn’t want it to end. It truly flies while also providing a great deal of depth and content.

Each character felt so vivid and real. This will stay with me for a long time.

Thoughts

Now I’m getting into spoilers, so if you haven’t read or finished the novel, come back here later. OK, so wow, at first, we have Charlie suggest they open a paid dance club, which Mrs. Tartt naively agrees to. But Charlie’s true intentions are to open a temporary brothel, which I did not expect when I picked up this novel, ha.

Birdie’s reactions are classic throughout the whole novel. In some ways, it’s surprising Birdie went along with Charlie’s idea, but I think at the same time, she found it kind of an adventure too. And they all become somewhat of a found family too.

And for Charlie, she would do anything to get her daughter, Meg, back. Garnett was certainly an evil villain, wasn’t she? Her determination to make Charlie and Meg’s lives both hell was incredibly chilling. When you really think about what Garnett put them both through, it’s pretty mind-blogging and dark.

The Ending

I do want to take a closer look at the ending. So the ‘dance’ club closes. It was a huge success and never busted by the sheriff. I actually thought that might become a storyline, but I’m glad it wasn’t.

Maybe it’s unrealistic or makes no sense, but I was glad they were able to get away with it and take control of their own lives.

I love that Birdie has money for her family and is planning to open her own business in Oxford. But Frances, Mrs. Tartt, and Roy’s storylines felt unresolved. Will Roy return home? What will he be like when he does? I think Frances will stay with him to the end, so plenty of unhappiness to be had for them still. But at least Mrs. Tartt gets to keep her house.

And Meg and Charlie are finally reunited, with Charlie coming to get Meg and take her far away. Their reunion made me tear up, but I did want more. I would have enjoyed an epilogue 10 years in the future to see where everyone is up to. Both Meg and Charlie have suffered quite a bit of trauma so unfortunately, I don’t think it will always be an easy road. But at least they are together now and far from Garnett.

I wish some kind of justice would have been served to Garnett. I wonder if Dr. Pittman will leave her now, or if they will remain unhappy together for the rest of their lives.

I would have loved more closure overall. But I suppose this truly is a snapshot in a pivotal time in their lives, and it’s not their whole story, as the rest is up to our imagination.

Tell me what you thought about the book in the comments section below!

Book Club Questions for The Calamity Club

Have you read The Help? How did this one compare?
Why was The Calamity Club the right name for this novel?
The story is lengthy at over 600 pages. Did the length bother you, or were you fine with it?
While this is an ensemble cast, we follow the perspectives of Birdie and Meg. Why was it important for us to read their thoughts and feelings?
Which character were you most engaged with, and on a similar note, which one do you think you are most like?
Let’s discuss the differences between Birdie and Frances.
This novel features plenty of historical detail from the clothes to the food of that era, but also horrific elements, including the forced sterilization. What were some of the more surprising details? Did you learn something new from the story?
Garnett is the head of the Lafayette County Orphan Asylum and is especially cruel to Meg, separates her from the other children, and makes her live in unsanitary conditions. We also learn she is on a crusade against Charlie and helps enable Charlie’s forced sterilization. This all stems from her husband having an affair with Charlie and being Meg’s real father. What are your thoughts on Garnett as the villain?
Meg’s mother, Charlie, comes into the picture, and Birdie has reservations but does trust her. Would you have trusted Charlie right away?
When Charlie suggested to Mrs. Tartt that they open a paid dance club, did you know she was really talking about a brothel?
Why did Birdie go along with it? What would you have done if you were Birdie?
Meg is eventually adopted, but it’s not smooth sailing. While the family is rich, Lucille is a cruel alcoholic, while Tom is a recovering one who is trying to find his own way by writing a novel. Tom develops a bond with Meg. What was your impression of these sections? How will it all impact Meg going forward?
What did you think of Birdie’s relationship with Jack?
Eventually, Frances and Mrs. Tartt return home, and they are shocked to find out the truth about the dance club. But their tune changes when they realize how much money they made. Were you surprised Mrs. Tartt was seemingly ok with it? What does that say about the desperation of the times then?
The story ends with Charlie rescuing Meg and taking her far from Oxford; Birdie will return to Oxford for Jake and to start a business; it seems Frances will stay with Roy, despite it all. Were you satisfied with the ending, or did you want more closure?
On that same note, what happens next for all the main characters?
What were some of the key themes? How did the author balance the light with the darker elements of this time period?

Additional Recommendations

Hope you enjoyed the book club questions for The Calamity Club! Here are some more recommendations, along with links to book club questions.

Whistler by Ann Patchett

For another buzzy new release that is well worth your time, add Whistler by Ann Patchett to your list.

While I read Whistler, I kept thinking these characters absolutely felt like real people. It was as if I were in the room with them, witnessing their interactions. They are so richly drawn, and they felt relatable and real.

It’s a beautiful novel about family, connection, and moving forward. Check out my review here.

And my book club questions here.

The Mad Wife by Meagan Church

Another impactful historical fiction novel is The Mad Wife by Meagan Church.

The story is set in 1950s America, which was a very different world for women. And if any woman experiences anxiety, postpartum depression, etc., she was instantly branded with “female hysteria.” For more about the story, check out my review here.

And my book club questions here.

Happy reading!