Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of The Calculating Stars
Science Fiction· United States

The Calculating Stars

by Mary Robinette Kowal
Aggregate Editorial Score69/100
★Hugo Award
Published 2019432 pagesEnglish
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal is a landmark work of science fiction, first published in 2019. A meteorite strike in 1952 threatens Earth's habitability, and mathematician Elma York fights sexism and racism to become one of the first women astronauts. Kowal's Hugo and Nebula Award winner is both a gripping adventure and a passionate tribute to the women of early space history. Themes of space race, sexism, racism run through the work. The book has received recognition from Hugo Award 2019.

Book Details

AuthorMary Robinette Kowal
Published2019
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages432
Category🚀 Science Fiction
ISBN9780765398536
Editorial Score69/100
About the Category

🚀 Science Fiction

Speculative fiction exploring technology, space, the future, and society.

Explore all Science Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 2019, Mary Robinette Kowal's The Calculating Stars is a work of science fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with space race, sexism, racism, science gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Among its recognitions: Hugo Award 2019. With an editorial score of 69/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. Readers coming to The Calculating Stars for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of space race, sexism, racism, science is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Mary Robinette Kowal's role in the literature of United States is well established. The Calculating Stars can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Hugo Award
winner · genre
201965
✍️
About the Author
Mary Robinette Kowal
United States
View Author →

Mary Robinette Kowal is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of science fiction.

Happy Children
The Parenting Companion
Happy Children
What Evolution Actually Built Your Child’s Emotions For
Your child’s emotions are not the problem. They are the operating system.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Never Let Me Go
literary-fiction

Never Let Me Go

Kazuo Ishiguro· 2017
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score91/100
Cover of The Power
science-fiction

The Power

Naomi Alderman· 2016
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score90/100
Cover of The Dispossessed
science-fiction

The Dispossessed

Ursula K. Le Guin· 1975
★Hugo Award★Nebula Award
Editorial Score83/100
Cover of The Blind Assassin
literary-fiction

The Blind Assassin

Margaret Atwood· 2000
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score82/100
Cover of Ender's Game
science-fiction

Ender's Game

Orson Scott Card· 1986
★Hugo Award★Nebula Award
Editorial Score82/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Calculating Stars about?

A meteorite strike in 1952 threatens Earth's habitability, and mathematician Elma York fights sexism and racism to become one of the first women astronauts. Kowal's Hugo and Nebula Award winner is both a gripping adventure and a passionate tribute to the women of early space history.

Who wrote The Calculating Stars?

The Calculating Stars was written by Mary Robinette Kowal, from United States. First published in 2019.

What awards has The Calculating Stars won?

The Calculating Stars has received the following awards and honours: Hugo Award 2019.

Is The Calculating Stars worth reading?

The Calculating Stars is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 65/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in space race, sexism, racism.

Where can I buy The Calculating Stars?

You can buy The Calculating Stars on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Calculating Stars?

The Calculating Stars is classified as Science Fiction. Speculative fiction exploring technology, space, the future, and society.

What country is The Calculating Stars from?

The Calculating Stars originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🚀More Science FictionBrowse all Science Fiction books🇺🇸Books from United States🇺🇸 United States literature📅2010s BooksPublished in the 2010s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time