'The Help' Author Reflects on Backlash, Releases New Book

Kathryn Stockett, author of the bestselling novel "The Help," is releasing her first new book in 16 years, "The Calamity Club." The author has recently discussed the criticism surrounding "The Help," particularly concerns that it depicted Black characters through a White lens. Stockett admitted to considering writing solely about White women but noted that stories set in the South often involve interracial relationships. She expressed ongoing worry about the reception of her new work, stating, "I am a White woman, and it's... a story about White people and Black people."

Viola Davis and Bryce Dallas Howard, stars of the 2011 film adaptation of "The Help," have also voiced reservations. Davis stated in 2018 that she regretted the film because it did not adequately center the voices of the Black maids. Howard, in 2020, indicated she would not make the same movie today. Stockett acknowledged that "The Help" was told from a "White gaze" but suggested it served as an "introduction" for some to conversations about race in the South.

Stockett's new novel, "The Calamity Club," is set during the Great Depression and follows three women in Mississippi forming an "unlikely sisterhood." It is scheduled for release on May 5, 2026. The author noted that her writing tends to balance serious themes with humor, and she anticipates her latest work may also spark discussion. "Above all, the story embraces a woman's right to determine her own fate," Stockett commented, hinting at its contemporary relevance.