The Lady Astronaut of Mars {story} (2013)

by Mary Robinette Kowal

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Lady Astronaut (short story)

Members	Reviews	Popularity	Average rating	Mentions
379	31	67,386	(4.06)	45
Fiction. Science Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML: 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 famous Lady Astronaut of Mars. When her chance finally comes, it may be too late. Elma must decide whether to stay with her sickening husband in what will surely be the final years of his life, or to have her final adventure and plunge deeper into the well of space. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied. .… (more)

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English (28) French (1) Hungarian (1) All languages (30)

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Mary Robinette Kowal can do no wrong. I love every series by her, and this one doesn't disappoint. This short story is heart breaking and beautiful. (

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ardaiel | Mar 4, 2024 |

Touching short story that forms the basis for MRK's upcoming series. (

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Treebeard_404 | Jan 23, 2024 |

Beautiful, amazing, and a heartbreaker. Have a tissue on hand. (

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Zoes_Human | Aug 19, 2023 |

I’m so glad I read Calculating Stars before the story that started it all.

Elma and Nathaniel live on Mars. They should be enjoying their golden years — but instead Nathaniel’s dying and Elma’s dreaming of the stars.

I got to know both Elma and Nathaniel well in the books. The pair we meet here are pale shadows of them.

This story is very good, but not as good as the books. (

)

clacksee | Dec 12, 2022 |

Loved the idea, disliked the writing. Makes you wonder what you would do in her shoes. Emotionally charged novella, boyfriend shed many tears. (

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Silenostar | Dec 7, 2022 |

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▾Other authors

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Mary Robinette Kowal	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Pope, Richie	Cover artist	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Series

Lady Astronaut (short story)

Belongs to Publisher Series

Tor.com Originals

Is contained in

Word Puppets by Mary Robinette Kowal

A la deriva en el mar de las lluvias y otros relatos by Mariano Villareal

Worlds Seen in Passing: Ten Years of Tor.com Short Fiction by Irene Gallo

Lady Astronaut by Mary Robinette Kowal

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

Hugo Award (Winner – Novelette – 2014)

Hugo Award (Nominee – Novelette – 2014)

Locus Award (Finalist – Novelette – 2013)

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The Lady Astronaut of Mars {story}

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Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas prairies, with Uncle Henry, who was a farmer, and Aunt Em, who was the farmer’s wife.

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▾Book descriptions

Fiction. Science Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML:

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 famous Lady Astronaut of Mars. When her chance finally comes, it may be too late. Elma must decide whether to stay with her sickening husband in what will surely be the final years of his life, or to have her final adventure and plunge deeper into the well of space.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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Book description

Readable online: http://www.tor.com/stories/2013/09/the-lady-astronaut-of-mars.

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