Orbital

Name: Orbital
Brand: Vintage Publishing
SKU: 9781787334342
Price: 40.0 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

By Samantha Harvey

3.72

( 4,903 ratings, 1,107 reviews)

Summary

Orbital by Samantha Harvey is a gripping sci-fi novel set in a near-future world. The story follows a diverse group of astronauts on a high-stakes mission to establish a permanent human presence in space. As they face both external threats and internal conflicts, the crew must confront their own fears and desires, testing the limits of human endurance and cooperation.
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Format: Hardback

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy intriguing explorations of personal and societal intersections, rich character development, and thought-provoking narratives set against a unique backdrop. It offers a compelling blend of introspection and broader themes that will captivate your imagination.

Orbital

Description

Six astronauts are stationed in the International Space Station, cohabiting in close quarters as they look down upon the Earth, entranced by its beauty and fragility. They are far from home, yet the tether to Earth remains strong, pulling at their hearts and minds. Their mission is one of scientific significance, yet the existential reflection it elicits is profound: What is life without Earth? What is Earth without humanity?

As the spacecraft orbits the globe, they witness the silent blue planet circling below them, rotating past continents and cycling through seasons. With each orbit, they see glaciers and deserts, mountain peaks and ocean swells. The astronauts observe spectacular phenomena within a single day, scenes of breathtaking beauty that highlight the planet's splendour and transience.

The astronauts' isolation brings a heightened sense of introspection and a deepened appreciation for the terrestrial world. News from Earth penetrates their insulated existence, including the death of a loved one's mother, stirring thoughts of home and the essence of human connection. They watch, helplessly, as a typhoon gathers over an island, concerned for those they care about, while simultaneously marvelling at the force of nature.

The fragility of human life permeates their conversations, dreams, and fears. Despite their physical distance from the Earth, they feel more connected to it than ever before and more protective of its delicate balance. This incredible journey prompts each astronaut to interrogate their very existence and their relationship with the planet they call home.

Orbital, by Samantha Harvey, is a spellbinding and uplifting novel, longlisted for the Booker Prize 2024. The narrative captures the essence of human vulnerability and the profound bond between people and their home planet, set against the backdrop of space's vast, epic vistas.

LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2024

'Stunning... An uplifting book' SUNDAY TIMES

'A slim, profound study of intimate human fears set against epic vistas' GUARDIAN

A GUARDIAN, NEW STATESMAN AND DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Orbital by Samantha Harvey is lauded for its serene beauty, originality, and intelligent creation. Reviewers praise its compelling prose, noting it evokes wonder and fragility while offering an uplifting, hopeful perspective on our planet. It's described as both a unique meditation on existence and a stunning love letter to Earth.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781787334342

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 02 November 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Jonathan Cape Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 136.0mm

Height: 206.0mm

Weight: 229g

Pages: 144

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Samantha Harvey Science & Nature

About the Author

Samantha Harvey is the author of the novels The Wilderness, All is Song, Dear Thief and The Western Wind and a work of non-fiction, The Shapeless Unease- A Year of Not Sleeping. Her work has been longlisted for the Booker Prize, and shortlisted for the James Tait Black Award, the Women's Prize, the Guardian First Book Award and the Walter Scott Prize. The Wilderness was awarded the Betty Trask Prize. She is a tutor on the MA course in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University.