The Calculating Stars - Mary Robinette Kowal

Title: The Calculating Stars
Author: Mary Robinette Kowal
Genre: Historical fiction, sci-fi
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 431
Date read: August, 2020

On a cold spring night in 1952, a huge meteorite fell to earth and obliterated much of the east coast of the United States, including Washington D.C. 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.


Very slow-moving, yet utterly unputdownable. It's an interesting mix of historical fiction and sci-fi. I found it absolutely captivating, but also very self-contained, so I don't quite know how Mary Kowal is going to continue the series.

I would not be at all surprised if this is turned into a movie at some point though!