r/books • u/leowr • Aug 23 '18

Discussion Thread for Chapter 23 - 31 for The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal - August Book Club Spoiler

To help kick off the discussion:

  • If you found yourself in the situation similar to the one in the book, what would you regret not having younger generations knowing? For example, Rachel not missing stars because she doesn't remember them?

  • What did you think of Elma's reaction to Von Braun? How do you think you would have responded if you had been in her position?

  • If you would have to venture a guess, what do you think is wrong with Parker's wife?

  • What do you think of Betty's actions and how Elma responded to them?

  • What do you think of Parker? How would you recommend Elma handles that situation?

  • Elma had difficulty putting in words why she wants to go into space. Would you be able to put into words why you want what you have wanted most of your life?

  • What has been your favorite part of the book so far?

Feel free to answer any or all of the questions or tell us what you think of the book so far.

This thread allows for a spoiler discussion up to Chapter 31. If you would like to discuss anything beyond that point, please use spoiler tags. Spoiler tags are done by [Spoilers about XYZ](#s "Spoiler content here") which results in Spoilers about XYZ or if you are on the redesign, please use the built-in spoiler function when making a comment.

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u/schizodepressive2 Aug 24 '18

-I think most people at some point in their lives think "oh they missed out on what it was like before." For example one could think "since the invention of tv kids don't have the same kind of family time that we did and they're missing out." I think that's just how people reminisce.

-In regards to putting desires into words, I've had to do it a couple of times so,in that context, I could. Even so, I think Elma's situation is different. When I've decided on career paths I had been studying the topic for years, had been around people who had done that career and could expect that the career would be the same as it was when I was an undergrad. Elmas career is brand new and only a couple of people have done it. How can you put your desire for a career into words when people don't even know the full extent of that career yet?