The Calculating Stars – Mary Robinette Kowal (2018)
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.
My Review of The Calculating Stars
(5 / 5)
I really felt like listening to a sci-fi book and this one was in my audible recommended list. So without thinking too much about it, I started listening. What I got was not entirely what I expected. It’s not so much a sci-fi as it is a historical fiction, alternate reality book. A REALLY good one!
It’s the USA in the 1950’s. The Second World War may be over, but humanity is dealt another blow when a meteorite lands on Washington and obliterates the entire government and hundreds of thousands of people. Then, just to make matters worse, super math wiz Elma discovers that the blast has created an extinction event and humanity as we know it will be wiped from the globe within decades. So what can be done about it? Humanity needs to look at the stars and planets for its future, and they need to get a wriggle on, as time is running out. However, putting people into space is not easy, and for those aspiring astronauts things are difficult enough 
without accounting for 1950’s sexism and racism. Elma wants up. But her endeavour to get to the stars is going to be harder than she ever imagined.
This book was historical fiction with a touch sci-fi, a splash of humour, and a pinch of fantasy and a LOT of fun! When I realised it wasn’t going to be exactly the sci-fi epic that I imagined (no I didn’t particularly read the description, obviously!), I was going to abandon it. But it has this beautiful charm which kept me listening. And I am so glad that I did keep listening, because it turned out to be absolutely one of the best books I have read this year!
The writing is absolutely delightful. So easy to read (or listen to), flowing beautifully with a captivating storyline that may not sound the most enthralling, (I mean getting women into space isn’t something I think I would have picked up if I HAD read the description properly!) But it was a really wonderful story!
I adored Elma. I thought she may annoy me as the story went on, but I came to love her. Also, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED the fact that she has major anxiety, but is extremely high functioning. There aren’t enough characters like Elma, or maybe I have just been reading the wrong books!
Her HEALTHY relationship with her husband was so refreshing, and there were some characters that I loved to dislike.
The audio version was AMAZING!!! I couldn’t get over how good the narrator was and wanted to know if she has narrated anything else, and then I realised it was narrated by the author!! BRILLIANT! I loved the southern accents. It was utterly charming! I’m won over!
I honestly don’t have one bad thing to say about this book! I loved it!
Would I Recommend The Calculating Stars?
Yes! If it sounds like your cup of tea, give it a go! And even if it doesn’t you may still enjoy it like I did! I think I will neglect to read the description more often!
I purchased The Calculating Stars at my own expense at audible.com.
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