The Martian Contingency: A Lady Astronaut Novel
by Mary Robinette Kowal
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"Years after a meteorite strike obliterated Washington, D.C. triggering an extinction-level global warming event Earth's survivors have started an international effort to establish homes on space stations and the Moon. The next stop--Mars. Elma York, the Lady Astronaut, lands on the Red Planet, optimistic about preparing for the first true wave of inhabitants. The mission objective is more than just building the infrastructure of a habitat--they are trying to preserve the many cultures and nuances of life on Earth without importing the hate. But from the moment she arrives, something is off..."--
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781250237040
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Mary Robinette Kowal
- Publisher
- Tor Books
- Published Date
- March 18, 2025
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 400
- Physical Info
- 1.6 in H x 8.1 in L x 5.7 in W (0.95 lb)
Something about Kowal cuts to the quick. Maybe it’s melodramatic, but she had me legitimately tearing up a few times; and anyone that can write in a way that elicits that kind of emotion deserves credit. Now, does the whole “Humanity is on Mars before the first microcomputer” thing really make sense? No, probably not. Do some of the greatest generation mores feel awkward when combined with Millennial worldviews. Yeah a bit. So, not 5 stars. A solid 4 stars.
Suddenly a different book at page 311!!!! What the heck!!!
Martian Contingency furthers the Lady Astronaut series by providing clear science based ideas about how colonizing g Mars would work. The strained interracial tensions are believable as well as the political battles for funding but I think my favorite part is the rocket coded language for sex.
This book is fantastic, except that in my paperback copy pages 311-326 are instead a totally different book and therefore a huge chunk of the final third of the storyline is missing!
I’ve loved all the Lady Astronaut novels and this is no exception. My only complaint is the unending puerile jokes, especially the double entendres.The female characters are strong but secretly vulnerable, knowing to show any weakness would get them - and likely all women - tossed out of the space program. They’ve learned to conceal their real thoughts behind a PR mask of happy competence, only crying quietly or throwing up from nerves when alone.This book shows the women coming together as a true force, once that can’t be pushed aside by the misogynists in politics and Mission Control. There’s an emphasis on incorporating people of all races and creeds, including a fascinating discussion of how to fit religious holidays into the Martian calendar.I didn’t understand all the references to the problems of the First Expedition. I haven’t read the first three books in the series for five years so I’m going to go back and reread at least one to remind myself of what I didn’t remember.Overall an excellent series by a talented writer, one who makes complicated space science understandable to the layman.
