Book description
Winner: 2014 Hugo Award for Best Novelette
Thirty years ago, Elma York led the expedition that paved the way to life on Mars. For years she's been longing to go back up there, to once more explore the stars. But there are few opportunities for an aging astronaut, even the…
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Why read it?
2 authors picked The Lady Astronaut of Mars as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Alternative history in which humans head to space sooner and the first female astronauts are veteran pilots from WW2. The characters are well-rounded and the entire series is compelling.
The Lady Astronaut of Mars takes place in a science fictional world, but like all the best sci-fi, it knows to keep its focus on its characters. There are no hour-long passages about future technologies or scientific theory. Instead it uses its setting to tell a human story about the missed opportunities in life and about growing old. Second chances are rare, and sometimes the decision about what to do isn’t so clear, but The Lady Astronaut of Mars reminded me that more often than not, experiences are worth having.
From Daniel's list on speculative short stories about life.
If you love The Lady Astronaut of Mars...
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