The Calculating Stars

A Lady Astronaut Novel

By: Mary Robinette Kowal

Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal's science fiction debut, The Calculating Stars, explores the premise behind her award-winning Lady Astronaut of Mars.

Den of Geek - Best Science Fiction Books of June 2018

Omnivoracious - Fifteen Highly Anticipated SFF Reads for Summer 2018

On a cold spring night in 1952, a huge meteorite fell to earth and obliterated much of the East Coast of the US, including Washington, DC. 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.

©2018 Mary Robinette Kowal (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

New found favorite book...

Mary Robinette Kowel is a very talented woman, as evidenced by her writing this beautiful book, and in the fantastic narration as well! Mary caught the social mores and nuances of the late fifties, beautifully!
This book covers some really hard issues of the times; women's role in society, racial bias, and even anxiety attacks... it's all wrapped up in this amazing talent that kinda' reminds me of old-school science fiction. That's probably because it takes place in an alternate, 1950's Earth, peopled with all the characters and products you'd expect to find then... and it also includes a meteor impact of truly cataclysmic proportions! 
Science and mathematics are really important in this post-meteor-impacted-Earth, as opposed to the old trope of societal collapse after the big "event". Where the story really distinguishes itself is that it's written from woman's POV as she and others try to end the intolerance and inequity of a patriarchal society, and go to work in fields that have traditionally been reserved only for men... and Mary Robinette Kowal accomplished this without giving the story an agenda-driven feel to it!!!
This is my new found favorite book of the year! If you enjoyed books like The Martian and Hidden Figures, you're going to love this one... Oh, and even better? The sequel will be released soon!   
Simply Stellar storytelling, in every way!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Imagine a history where the space race began early

Imagine an America fresh from world war 2 and then Washington DC is wiped out by a meteorite. Instead of piddling around with space flight the US and the world lurch towards space. This book tells a great story in the landscape of the early 20th century with all it's hope and oppression.

Excellent

Loved every second of this! Two things: I normally don't like 1st person. This book has proven to me that it can be done extremely well. Second, I don't normally love author narrated books, but Ms Kowal is now one of my favorite narrators. This is the first of her books that I have read, and I'm looking forward to catching up with her previously published works.

Engaging characters, great story!

Absolutely loved this re-imagined story of the race to space. Great historical details that make the alternate history recognizable and familiar while taking you on a thrilling journey. Characters feel three dimensional and real, and the Yorks are on of my favorite fictional couples now.

I would rate it higher if I could

what an incredible gripping story, it's like hidden figures mixed with the Martian and it's fabulous.

A truly great listening experience!

An absolutely incredible listen. This is a truly great book, with a plot that grabs you from the start, and doesn't let go until the very end (and considering there is a sequel coming out, not really even then.)

The book is well researched, and a completely believable path to what might have been had the U.S. Space program begun earlier, and Washington been shipped out by a meteor in 1952.

Emma Wexler York is now my all time favorite southern Jewish lady computer "Astronette." Yes, at one time computer ( like typewriter) was actually a job title, one usually held by women. There was indeed a program to test and train women Astronauts, that was killed in the early 60's.

I love Emma as a trail blazing fictional role model, dealing with so many of the historic (and sadly still present) stereotypes the way she does in this book.

I would be remiss in not praising the narrating talents of the author. She is a superb and multi talented voice artist. There are not many authors who could pull off the marathon of their own book the way she has.

All praise to Mary Robinette Kowal!

21st century quality sci fi and alternate history

The deep character development and unflinching looks at prejudice set this book apart from many classics. The convincing and powerful performance by the reader is icing on the cake.

Worth the credit

Nicely done alternate history. As another reviewer mentioned, those of you who are pilots and/or closely involved with the space program will choke in some places but it’s well worth the listen despite those moments.

Captivating

I loved it! Not all authors can pull of narrating their own books, but Mary Robinette Kowal did it beautifully. This book kept me wanting more, in fact I bought the second book while I was in the middle of this one. I hope you love it as much as I did!
Happy listening!

Brilliant Novel, Profound First-Person Narrative

I loved this book. I think it is a profound and surprisingly relatable experience for anyone who has been personally told “you can’t” or “you don’t belong.”
Rather than preaching at the audience or belittling or vilifying large swaths of society, Kowal gives a breathtaking and very human perspective to overcoming adversity and achieving a goal. Also, strong science in the science fiction and believable alternate history.