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The Calculating Stars

A Lady Astronaut Novel

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The Calculating Stars

By: Mary Robinette Kowal
Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal
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About this listen

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.
Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Space Exploration Fiction Space Interstellar Heartfelt Feel-Good Transportation Aviation Air Force
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What listeners say about The Calculating Stars

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    4 out of 5 stars

A great book - recommended

I finished this book pretty fast, it was good. I wanna give it 9/10 stars.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Was worried about the ‘lady astronaut’ term

The term ‘lady astronaut’ concerned me however I needn’t have been worried. It becomes apparent fairly quickly how appropriate the ‘lady astronaut’ series title is.

As a story it’s a fascinating journey mixing the alternative history and dystopian genres perfectly.

This book is an absolute joy to listen to - even with the outrageous occasional French accent! :)


Beautifully written and beautiful read

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The best audiobook I’ve ever heard!

What a wonderful book. Exploring the opportunity of space from the view of a woman, a Jew, a fallible, anxious and desperately determined protagonist. The glorious, human, hopeful narration does such justice to a brilliant text. I finished it in tears!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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awesome performance of great book

Really enjoyable book, made even greater by Kowal's performance - the voice acting is spectacular! Enjoyed the story and the way it depicts and critically engages with both misogyny and racism.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Captivating start with a lackluster finish

Just like a rocket it has a bombastic start with energy that peters out by the end. Still worth a listen and will continue with the series

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A love letter to humanity

uplifting, wry, intelligent and life affirming.
I have searched a very long time for authors in any genre who capture humanity and hope in such a succinct and imaginative style.

This easily is the equal to Susanna Clarke, Iain Banks, Doris Lessing or Ursula K. Le Guin.

Read it

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Enjoyed it way more than expected

Having failed to keep going with one of the author's previous books I was concerned that I wouldn't gel with this either but the story and the narration were both excellent and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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An unexpected journey to a future past

Wow! This was so different and so good and so unexpected and so masterfully done that I am downloading the second book without hesitation. This is a great story told from the unusual perspective of, a Jewish female maths wiz living in a fictional 1950’s America. This plucky young woman works hard to overcome crippling insecurities and misogyny in a fight to put women in space. The stakes are incredibly high, but her struggle feels real. It has the charm of early sci-fi novels from the golden age, that sucked me right in. After a year of reading hard core sci-fi and space opera this was a completely refreshing read. Loved it!
All in all, a warm, charming and well told story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Lady Astronauts have lift off

An interesting counterfactual history with some clunky sex scenes which let the rest of the book down. Some serious issues dealt with as well well

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

struggled to finish

was excited about this book but it didn't live up to expectations. quite dull at times really. the concept is great, the narration was ok, I'll forgive the cringy sex scenes as they were on point for the character and story, male authors get to do that all the time so why not. but yeah not sure this deserved a nebula. nowhere near as good as n k jemsin or Anne leckie if you're looking for good sci fi or fantasy by a female author

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