description The Calculating Stars Overview
*The Calculating Stars* is a 2018 alternate history science fiction novel by Mary Robinette Kowal, serving as the first book in her "Lady Astronaut" series. The story is set in an alternate 1950s, where a devastating meteor strike accelerates the need for human space colonization to escape climate collapse. The plot follows Dr. Elma York, a brilliant mathematician and former pilot, as she fights against systemic sexism to become one of the first female astronauts.
The novel received critical acclaim within the literary community, winning both the Hugo and Nebula Awards for Best Novel.
help The Calculating Stars FAQ
What disaster changes history in The Calculating Stars?
A meteorite strikes the eastern United States in an alternate 1952, devastating Washington, D.C., and altering the global climate. Mathematician and former wartime pilot Elma York argues that humanity must accelerate space settlement to survive.
Why does Elma York want to become an astronaut?
Elma already has piloting experience and works as a mathematician for the space program, but women are initially kept out of astronaut roles. She challenges that policy while managing severe anxiety and entrenched sexism.
Is The Calculating Stars part of the Lady Astronaut series?
Yes. It is the first full-length Lady Astronaut novel, followed directly by The Fated Sky.
Which major awards did The Calculating Stars win?
The novel won both the Hugo Award and Nebula Award for Best Novel. It also received the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.
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