The Calculating Stars Audiobook By Mary Robinette Kowal cover art

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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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. Alternate History Fiction Hard Science Fiction Hugo Award Locus Award Nebula Award Science Fiction Space Exploration Interstellar
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Engaging Alternate History • Rich Storytelling • Excellent Character Voices • Believable Worldbuilding • Emotional Depth

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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!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

New found favorite book...

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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.

Imagine a history where the space race began early

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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.

Excellent

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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.

Engaging characters, great story!

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

I would rate it higher if I could

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