The Calculating Stars
Mary Robinette Kowal's science fiction debut explores the premise behind her award-winning "Lady Astronaut of Mars"
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.
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Mary Robinette Kowal
Mary Robinette Kowal writes stories where the boundaries of science fiction and fantasy blur, creating worlds that feel both fantastical and grounded in human experience. Known for her lyrical prose and insightful explorations of technology, emotion, and society, Kowal’s work invites readers into captivating, thought-provoking realms, where the magic of storytelling is intricately woven with real-world issues.
A proud graduate of the prestigious Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, Kowal’s early career in puppetry and voice acting helped shape her storytelling style, infusing it with rich character voices and a tactile sense of the physical world. She’s a multi-talented creator, with experience both on stage and behind the scenes in theater. This deep appreciation for the art of performance manifests in her writing, where characters come to life with the same vividness as a puppet brought to life on stage.
Lady Astronaut
On a cold spring night in 1952, a meteorite falls to earth and destroys much of the eastern seaboard of the United States, including Washington D.C. The Meteor, as it is popularly known, 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, and allows a much larger share of humanity to take part in the process.
Lady Astronaut consists of four books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
