Questions About The Calculating Stars (Lady Astronaut Universe, #1)

by Mary Robinette Kowal (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (9)

This book got pulled from overdrive of all library systems nearby me. Anyone knows what might be the reason?

pml After querying, my library sent me this explanation:

I just got this response from one of our selectors regarding The Calculating Stars:

TOR books no l…moreAfter querying, my library sent me this explanation:

I just got this response from one of our selectors regarding The Calculating Stars:

TOR books no longer sells their front-list to libraries. We must wait at least 4 months after the publication date before their new titles will be released to Overdrive for us to purchase. They have decided that library sales may be negatively impacting their retail sales and are participating in a study that will attempt to determine the impacts of libraries on the book market and sales, especially regarding eBooks.

Needless to say, we are disappointed by this decision. EBooks are a popular format and Science Fiction and Fantasy are popular genres for our patrons. If the patron wishes to give any feedback about this change to TOR and their parent company, Macmillan, they may use this email: elending.feedback@macmillan.com

Given that the Overdrive release date for Calculating Stars was not merely pushed back by 4+ months, I'm wondering whether or not it will ever reappear on Overdrive.
The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells is also released by TOR. It has yet to disappear from my library's Overdrive, however the Calculating Stars didn't disappear until the publication date.

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Should I read the novella first, or (like the Vorkosigan Saga) go with the internal chronology and read this first?

Mary Robinette Kowal You can go either way. The only spoilers in the novella are in the title so you're in the clear there.

I worked very hard to make sure that you could r…moreYou can go either way. The only spoilers in the novella are in the title so you're in the clear there.

I worked very hard to make sure that you could read them in any sequence.(less)

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Would the content in this book be okay for a teen? Is there any questionable/inappropriate material?

Mary Robinette Kowal It depends on the teen. But -- for full disclosure. I drop the f-bomb twice. It's earned, though. There's cursing, but no casual cursing. The main cha…moreIt depends on the teen. But -- for full disclosure. I drop the f-bomb twice. It's earned, though. There's cursing, but no casual cursing. The main character is happily married so there are sexy-fun times. Penetration is implied but not depicted.(less)

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Has anyone been able to get this from their local library, in print or e-book? Mary Robinette Kowal says this book is not part of Tor's program to make libraries wait 4 months after the publication date. It sounds like many folks can't get it at their local library. I sure can't. I wonder why. https://twitter.com/MaryRobinette/status/1024382675866578944

Mary Robinette Kowal The original policy only affected e-books. If your library doesn't have print copies, my guess is either a) they just didn't order it or b) it hasn't …moreThe original policy only affected e-books. If your library doesn't have print copies, my guess is either a) they just didn't order it or b) it hasn't been delivered yet.

That's the happy problem of selling out of print runs and going back for reprints.(less)

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How different is this from Neil Stephenson's Seveneves?

Daniel Christensen Apples and oysters different. I've read both. Both are good. Both deal with cataclysms that end life on earth. Similarities end there.

Seveneves is set…moreApples and oysters different. I've read both. Both are good. Both deal with cataclysms that end life on earth. Similarities end there.

Seveneves is set in the near-future. First section deals with the political ramifications of trying to get humanity off the planet, seen through many characters' perspectives. Second section includes the infamous section titled "Five thousand years later." and deals with the political ramifications of trying to get humanity back onto the planet. It's arm-sweeping space opera.

Calculating Stars is set in the 1950s and mainly surrounds one couple - engineer and computer (think 'Hidden Figures') - and the woman's attempts to become an astronaut. It's far more personal, looking through the lens of one character over about five years.

And while 7E is good, Calculating Stars won both the Hugo and Nebula (and the Locus), which puts it in the ranks of books like Dune, Neuromancer, and American Gods. And they're in good company.(less)

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