Average Bufph Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Mary Robinette Kowal
2018-07-03
Mary Robinette Kowal's science fiction debut, 2019 Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Award for best novel, The Calculating Stars, explores the premise behind her award-winning "Lady Astronaut of Mars."
Winner 2018 Nebula Award for Best Novel
Winner 2019 Locus Award for Best Novel
Winner 2019 Hugo Award for Best Novel
Finalist 2019 Campbell Memorial Award
Finalist 2021 Hugo Award for Best Series
Named one of Esquire's 75 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time
Locus Trade Paperback Bestseller List
Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2018—Science Fiction/Fantasy
Winner 2019 RUSA Reading List for Science Fiction—American Library Association
Locus 2018 Recommended Reading List
Buzzfeed—17 Science-Fiction Novels By Women That Are Out Of This World
Locus Bestseller List
Chicago Review of Books—Top 10 Science Fiction Books of 2018
Goodreads—Most Popular Books Published in July 2018 (#66)
The Verge—12 fantastic science fiction and fantasy novels for July 2018
Unbound Worlds—Best SciFi and Fantasy Books of July 2018
Den of Geek—Best Science Fiction Books of June 2018
Publishers Weekly—Best SFF Books of 2018
Omnivoracious—15 Highly Anticipated SFF Reads for Summer 2018
Past Magazine—Best Novels of 2018
Bookriot—Best Science Fiction Books of 2018
The Library Thing—Top Five Books of 2018
On a cold spring night in 1952, a huge meteorite fell to earth and obliterated much of the east coast of the United States, including Washington D.C. The ensuing climate cataclysm will soon render the earth inhospitable for humanity, as the last such meteorite did for the dinosaurs. This looming threat calls for a radically accelerated effort to colonize space, and requires a much larger share of humanity to take part in the process.
Elma York’s experience as a WASP pilot and mathematician earns her a place in the International Aerospace Coalition’s attempts to put man on the moon, as a calculator. But with so many skilled and experienced women pilots and scientists involved with the program, it doesn’t take long before Elma begins to wonder why they can’t go into space, too.
Elma’s drive to become the first Lady Astronaut is so strong that even the most dearly held conventions of society may not stand a chance against her.
Kowal's alternate history approach to the space race was both refreshing and thought-provoking. The meticulous attention to historical detail and the integration of speculative elements created a compelling narrative that felt both plausible and imaginative. The characters were well-developed, each bringing a unique perspective to the unfolding events. While the pacing in some sections felt a bit slow, the exploration of gender roles and the impact of societal expectations on scientific progress added a profound layer to the story. It's a fascinating read that blends hard science fiction with social commentary.
Kowal's alternate history narrative offers a meticulous examination of the socio-political landscape during the early space race era. The novel's integration of historical events with speculative elements provides a rigorous exploration of the intersection between science, politics, and gender. The protagonist's journey as a female mathematician in a male-dominated field serves as a compelling metaphor for the broader struggle for equality and recognition. The philosophical underpinnings regarding the ethics of space exploration and the implications of technological advancement are both stimulating and thought-provoking. The prose, while at times dense, is a testament to the author's imaginative prowess and her ability to craft a world that is both historically grounded and speculatively rich.
