A review by manuphoto
The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I enjoyed this book to a point, but I do not think it is a masterpiece, nor even an excellent novel. It’s a bit too hyped I’m afraid.

It treats very important matters on misogyny, racism and global human behaviour. Kowal knows how to create a compelling story, and our lead character, Elma, is certainly a good one, a character we want to follow (at least in the first half of the novel). She’s a bit alone though, as the other characters are very generic. 

During the last third of the novel, even Elma can get annoying at times, she’s a bit too perfect, and perfect characters are boring. She has one major flaw that is used as a plot device but otherwise she never puts a foot wrong and it gets tiring. Plus she has a perfect, handsome, understanding husband and a jerk for a boss… I mean, it’s not very original nor interesting a setup. It’s a shame because she’s ideal to present how women are being bullied by men and shameless patriarchy at work against women. Kowal does that with her, but in a very basic manner.

As much as I enjoy a good uchronia, I found this one to be very much "by the numbers". The premise is a bit too reminiscent of “Spin” by Robert Charles Wilson (an astronomical event that forces humanity to seek shelter off-Earth). As for the prose, it is clear, efficient, but bland and repetitive at times. I usually prefer clear prose to overly complicated writing for the sake of it, but I just don’t think it’s on the same level as N.K. Jemisin for example, or Dan Simmons (I’m only talking about prose here…). It does feel like a YA novel at times (with a complete lack of literary poetry), even though the scientific aspects and the (very corny) sex scenes prevent it from really falling in this category.

All in all, a relatively enjoyable story, but not one that will stay with me nor makes me want to read the whole series. As I said, it tackles important issues in our society through the use of science-fiction, which is both laudable and relevant. Sci-fi exists in part to achieve that and Kowal is clearly aware of it. I just found it to be too much on the nose and shallow at times, but it might be by design. Maybe some readers need it to be this way to get the message. I for one liked but didn’t love the whole experience. I agree with the author on all those points (ie many men are jerks who prevent women from achieving things because they are scared little boys, racists are idiots, etc.), and they should be pointed out. I just didn’t appreciate the way she did it. She’s preaching to the choir in a very unrefined manner, and it prevented me from looking passed that.