The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal

The Calculating Stars (Lady Astronaut, #1)

by Mary Robinette Kowal

A meteor decimates the U.S. government and paves the way for a climate cataclysm that will eventually render the earth inhospitable to humanity. This looming threat calls for a radically accelerated timeline in the earth’s efforts to colonize space, as well as an unprecedented opportunity for a much larger share of humanity to take part.

One of these new entrants in the space race is Elma York, whose experience as a WASP pilot and mathematician earns her a place in the International Aerospace Coalition’s attempts to put man on the moon. 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 - aside from some pesky barriers like thousands of years of history and a host of expectations about the proper place of the fairer sex. And yet, Elma’s drive to become the first Lady Astronaut is so strong that even the most dearly held conventions may not stand a chance.

Reviewed by Jordon on

3 of 5 stars

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When I first read the synopsis of this book I was incredibly intrigued. An alternate retelling of the 1950's-60's where the world experiences an extinction level event and has to prepare to colonise the moon, with women trying to fight their way to be equals? Yes, I was very intrigued.

I have to say, as I read this book I definitely felt like I was transported back in time without feeling like the book was outdated - as in, actually written in that time. It was beautifully written.

Unforutnately for me though, I just couldn't seem to get into the story. I felt a huge disconnect to the characters and I felt like we never really got to know any of them, it was more like we watched what was happening but I never felt anything for any of them. Because of that, I didn't even like any of them - including Elma, the main character of the story, even Nathanial, her husband, who supported her through everything and was very 'progressive' for a man of that time. I mean, I think I would have been pretty angry if her own husband had had the same views as other men, so I'm really glad his character wasn't written that way.

I felt a sense of doom the whole time I was reading the book. Maybe it was because woman were belittled at every turn, as I imagine it was back in those times, and it was frustrating. However, I also felt like everyone was out for themselves, including Elma. I just didn't have an interest in seeing how the story played out.

Why did I continue reading then? I'm not sure. I think because I loved the idea so much, and I loved reading about becoming an astronaut but I did feel like I had to push myself to finish reading this book.

Something else I did love though - the math! Omg, I looooved how smart and intelligent Elma was. I loved how fast she was at calculating the math. These parts really excited me. Every scene where she was calculating how things worked, the numbers went over my head, but I still loved reading it. It was exciting.

I wish I liked this book more as a whole, but I just wasn't captivated enough to want to continue reading this series.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 September, 2020: Finished reading
  • 1 September, 2020: Reviewed