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The Calculating Stars cover art

The Calculating Stars

By: Mary Robinette Kowal
Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal
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Publisher's Summary

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.

What listeners say about The Calculating Stars

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  • Overall
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Disappointing

The story had promise but the whimpering main character and cringeworthy attempts at romantic/sex scenes almost laughable.

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Well paced but too hard on the messaging

An enjoyable story that set a cracking pace, with good character development. The author's narration is excellent too. However, I did feel that every 5 minutes I was being reminded of the main character's religion and that she was working really hard to overcome her anxiety. Yep, I understood the third time - don't need it a dozen more.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Captivating

Blown away by narration only to realise at the end it was the author. Bravo. Will be getting sequel.

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2 people found this helpful

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

colonies on the moon ?without any woman?

she could have been more forcefull fighting for woman in space and that persons of colour were being excluded

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic

Absolutely fantastic book, enjoyed the gripping story, the science, and the message about resilience and overcoming the impossible (including sexism and racism).

However, the narrator (who is the author) was a bit ambitious in trying to do accents that she wasn't good at. It was jarring, because there were a lot of non-American characters who were written beautifully.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Perfect women centred alternate timeline space drama

I loved all the new information I learnt about how women actually shaped our space timeline from this book. I heard an excellent interview from the author about all the research she does to make her characters and world building fit the time period she is writing about. I never knew much about the WASPS and all I knew about women computers came from Hidden Figures (I am not American and the space race is not taught in history class). Loved this book and will recommend it.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Main character bombed - DNF

Very rarely do I not finish a story, it's a waste of money in my mind.

But the main character's personality destroyed that thought process. I would recommend you save your money and purchase something else.

The main positive is the performance, amazingly delivered.

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

I chose to consume this book via audiobook because of the performance in the preview

Performance incredible by the author. 😍 Love the 1950s style of speaking and accents that they’ve used consistently throughout. This is the first audiobook I have ever finished. Outstanding.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic mix of space

Wow. Manages to combine the 1950s, space exploration, family, mathematics, planetary disaster and much more into a story that is satisfying, fun and in parts touching.

The narrator is very good and does a great job distinguishing between voices (its the author herself, who is a voice actor amongst other talents). To express strong emotion she becomes a little too breathy for me sometimes but honestly overall it's a great job.

An unusual and brilliant story, with so many elements to it. Thanks 👍🚀🌙

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

Not a favourite.

Struggled to finish it. Not my idea of science fiction. Found the storyline and narration a bit twee.

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