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emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely engrossing alternate history … the first chapter is set in 1952, but the history tweaks started in 1948 presidential election. I love alternate histories, especially ones that are as throughly believable and science based as this one. Absolutely stay for the authors postscript as her explanations of the reasons behind her history tweaks and how she researched was fascinating.
Asking my library to buy the next in the series as soon as possible!
I listened on a reread and would recommend this one be read with the eyes if you can. The narration is done by the author, but she makes the main character sound much more hesitant and uncertain than I read it in my mind. I didn’t like that take as much.
Asking my library to buy the next in the series as soon as possible!
I listened on a reread and would recommend this one be read with the eyes if you can. The narration is done by the author, but she makes the main character sound much more hesitant and uncertain than I read it in my mind. I didn’t like that take as much.
tomasthanes's review against another edition
5.0
I loved, loved, loved this book. There were *so* many things to like about it.
In the 50's, I was in elementary and junior high school (they hadn't invented "middle school" yet). No computers. No smart phones. No Internet. There *was* a rudimentary space program as we competed with the Russians and they launched the first satellite (Sputnik 1 in 1957).
Since I was so young during that time, I was not aware of racism against people of the same or differently colored skins or genders. My parents were the most accepting people that I knew. This book (I think) accurately described what the Chosen People of God and People of Color experienced. I only say "I think" because I cannot corroborate this from my own experience during that time.
It also dealt with gender prejudice which was described in movies like "Hidden Figures". In this book, that role is played by the "computers", not transistorized computing machines but women who lived and breathed math and formulas like we do air. They calculated the thrust of rocket engines, the amounts of fuel necessary to achieve a certain goal, and how to get a particular rocket into a transfer orbit.
I don't consider this book feminist because it merely described the problems without getting preachy about the solutions. You knew that they were just wrong. It made me start to look around myself (inside and out) for subtle traces of racism or misogyny. Equal justice/opportunity for everyone.
It's an alternate history that starts with a meteor strike that wipes out much of the east coast and forces the government to move to Kansas (no references to the Wizard of Oz). The meteor triggers "climate change". People need to leave the Earth for other places in the Solar System that they can live.
Kansas is where the space program starts as part of the IAC (International Aerospace Coalition). So, from the beginning there are people working together from many countries (with another layer of prejudice slathered on).
This is probably the best book that I've read this year and have immediately moved onto the sequel, "The Fated Sky".
I wish I could write as well as Mary Robinette Kowal.
In the 50's, I was in elementary and junior high school (they hadn't invented "middle school" yet). No computers. No smart phones. No Internet. There *was* a rudimentary space program as we competed with the Russians and they launched the first satellite (Sputnik 1 in 1957).
Since I was so young during that time, I was not aware of racism against people of the same or differently colored skins or genders. My parents were the most accepting people that I knew. This book (I think) accurately described what the Chosen People of God and People of Color experienced. I only say "I think" because I cannot corroborate this from my own experience during that time.
It also dealt with gender prejudice which was described in movies like "Hidden Figures". In this book, that role is played by the "computers", not transistorized computing machines but women who lived and breathed math and formulas like we do air. They calculated the thrust of rocket engines, the amounts of fuel necessary to achieve a certain goal, and how to get a particular rocket into a transfer orbit.
I don't consider this book feminist because it merely described the problems without getting preachy about the solutions. You knew that they were just wrong. It made me start to look around myself (inside and out) for subtle traces of racism or misogyny. Equal justice/opportunity for everyone.
It's an alternate history that starts with a meteor strike that wipes out much of the east coast and forces the government to move to Kansas (no references to the Wizard of Oz). The meteor triggers "climate change". People need to leave the Earth for other places in the Solar System that they can live.
Kansas is where the space program starts as part of the IAC (International Aerospace Coalition). So, from the beginning there are people working together from many countries (with another layer of prejudice slathered on).
This is probably the best book that I've read this year and have immediately moved onto the sequel, "The Fated Sky".
I wish I could write as well as Mary Robinette Kowal.
ndbell80's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really enjoyed this book, and I see why it won a Hugo and a Nebula. I think the whole premise was really interesting. I felt bought in from the first page. I really liked Elma and Nathaniel and all the characters. I think they felt really real. I loved the way that Nathaniel supported his wife and the way that he never expected to get an award for it. The casual sexism was hard, but I really enjoyed the whole ride and found the book really hard to put down!
phenyl82's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
sorear's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
drpolly's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
4.0
Bullet Review:
It took me a bit to warm up and there got to be some goofy bits (the author loves to end a chapter with her married couple getting sexy and fading to black), but overall, as a woman in STEM who once dreamed about going to the stars, this hit me in the soft spot.
It took me a bit to warm up and there got to be some goofy bits (the author loves to end a chapter with her married couple getting sexy and fading to black), but overall, as a woman in STEM who once dreamed about going to the stars, this hit me in the soft spot.
elabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
themarquessmagpie's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0