Mother Go

By: James Patrick Kelly

Narrated by: January LaVoy

She is the clone of a famed space explorer, but Mariska Volochkova rejects her mother and her heritage and wants no part of interstellar adventure. Although she is genetically engineered to hibernate through the interminable decades of space travel, Mariska's home is a habitat on the moon, and there she intends to stay.

But the sweep of interplanetary politics and an affair with a Martian catches Mariska up in a conspiracy to commit a bold theft that will alter the future of space colonization. Mariska must put her life on the line again and again if she is to discover who she is and what her true destiny must be.

In his first new novel in more than 20 years, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award winner James Patrick Kelly has crafted a hard science techno-thriller that never loses its focus on the conflicted emotional life of Mariska, a true citizen of the posthuman 22nd century.

©2017 James Patrick Kelly (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The novel is notable for the economy and clarity of its prose and for the assuredness with which it treats and critiques some familiar SF conventions....what sets Mother Go apart is Mariska herself, not always sympathetic but continually compelling, as she tries to find a way to inhabit the worlds she inherits." (Locus)

"A wonderfully exuberant space opera....January LaVoy... imparts Mariska with a level of dynamism, urgency, and emotion.... a well-rounded and fun trip that harkens back to the optimistic era of golden-age sci-fi." (The Verge)

Great sci-fi

My first audible book in many years and I've enjoyed morning and afternoon commutes and even looked forward too it. Only downside is that it's over. Highly recommended if you're into sci-fi or just want a great story!

Jim Kelly Trapped Me in My Car With This Story.

If you could sum up Mother Go in three words, what would they be?

Fun, heart-wrenching, addictive.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mother Go?

Without giving too much away, the scene between Mariska and Nathalia on Mars, when they decide to wait and eat breakfast.

Which scene was your favorite?

It's hard to pick a favorite, but I enjoyed the humor in the cleaning the crud from the ship scenes.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, hence the headline. I ended up sitting in my car in the parking lot at work - I had to know what happened during the final action sequence. I couldn't leave my car!

Any additional comments?

This book has something for everyone. It's a coming of age story, a love story, a caper story, and a sci-fi story.

James Patrick Kelly's latest is a GO!

Where does Mother Go rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Mother Go is the best, by far.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mother Go?

Martians take some getting used to.

Any additional comments?

Mother Go has everything a reader could want from science fiction—space adventure, a heroic quest, humour, suspense, romance, and a classic coming of age story—delivered in the lean, rich prose readers can savour and have come to expect from one of the greatest science fiction writers of our time. Set on the moon, on Mars, and beyond, this story will appeal to folks who love Jack Glass, Growing Up Weightless, Ancillary Justice, and The Expanse. The story follows the adventures of Mariska, a reluctant spacer who gets into more trouble before lunchtime than most people do in a single year. Loveable, immature, brave, fallible—Mariska is so utterly human that you won’t want to hit pause, even after you hear the words “the end.”

complex people problems

Moon girl, clone girl, every girl of a certain age. Compelling story set in space

LOVED this book

What did you love best about Mother Go?

I was completely absorbed by this story. The plot was compelling, the characters nuanced, and the plot twists kept me guessing. I downloaded it to listen to something while I went running but I ended up listening to it in the car, while making dinner, folding laundry...I was so caught up in what would happen next I didn't want to put it down!

What did you like best about this story?

For me, this was the perfect mix of interesting science fiction/future visioning and real character development and exciting plot.

What about January LaVoy’s performance did you like?

For me, this was the perfect mix of interesting science fiction/future visioning and real character development and exciting plot.