The Calculating Stars
(Lady Astronaut #1)
by Mary Robinette Kowal
science fiction
copyright 2018
read in January 2021
rated 8/10: really quite good
This is traditional "what if" science fiction: What if something had pushed the race to space forward, to become a major effort in the 1950s? The author combines what actually happened with the setting and society of those several decades earlier.
The result is a study of gender and racial inequalities. Wrapped within a solid story of one woman's urge to be an astronaut.
The star is a woman. Yes, she changes clothes regularly but this is not chicklit. The book offers hope for women -- and blacks -- suffering under discrimination. A white man will enjoy the story -- and perhaps have his eyes opened.
The woman works hard, and succeeds. There are no major confrontations, no fisticuffs, no court cases. She deserves success, and succeeds. Most of the opposition is simply ingrained bias. Even the one determined opponent has a good -- in his own mind -- reason for his attitude.
The book is "what if" science fiction. What happens reflects reality, shifted to emphasise the prejudices. The action is slow but fascinating. The message is strong, essential to the plot, not shoved in the reader's face.
Hard science fiction at its best.
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
... Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved
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I'd rather be super rich than completely stupid... Ginger Meggs
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Dying for you to read my blog, at https: // notdotdeaddotyet .blogspot. com. au/ :-)
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