As someone who recalls the launch of Telstar and the Race to the Moon, Kowal manages to capture the feeling of the time, even allowing for her huge ‘what if’ of a major meteor strike that accelerates Humanity’s interest in establishing a colony elsewhere. I think the handling of the alternate historical timeline throughout has been skilful and inspired. However, I’m aware it’s a minor niggle in the scheme of things, when so much about this book is so good. Especially as most of the other men Elma encounters have their macho insensitivity on display. Given he is a product of a very different time, when it was tacitly agreed by many right-thinking men and a fair number of women, that it was a risky business giving a woman any kind of major responsibility, it does strain credulity. Nathaniel is just so understanding, kind and appreciative of Elma’s drive to excel that I think a modern husband would struggle to be able to match up to his enlightened attitude. If I have a niggle, it’s that their relationship seems improbably idyllic, given the stresses put on it. We continue to follow maths genius Elma Wexler, as she completes a three-month stint on the Moon and looking forward to seeing her husband, again. Or you will spend too much time trying to figure out exactly who is doing what to whom to be able to fully appreciate the scope and stakes involved. Though it is essentially a continuation of the story started in The Calculating Stars so don’t pick up this one first.
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