Samantha Harvey
Samantha Harvey, a British author, has been awarded the 2024 Booker Prize for her novel Orbital, a captivating story that unfolds over a single day aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The novel, Harvey’s fifth, was written during the COVID-19 lockdowns, a period in which she found herself confined to her home.
Harvey drew inspiration from watching footage of Earth from space, and this sparked her creative process.
The novel captures a profound sense of isolation, mirroring the experiences of the astronauts and cosmonauts who are “trapped in a tin can” as they orbit the planet, much like how people felt during the lockdowns.
Orbital stands out for its striking portrayal of Earth’s beauty from space, which quickly resonated with readers, making it the top-selling book among the six finalists on this year’s Booker shortlist.
The novel has sold more copies than the past three Booker Prize winners combined, reflecting its widespread appeal. The story takes place over 24 hours and follows six astronauts as they witness 16 sunrises and sunsets while circling the globe.
The relatively short, 136-page novel has been lauded for its ability to convey the vastness of space and the fragility of life on Earth.
The Booker judges, now in their 55th year, praised Harvey’s writing for its “intensity of attention to the precious and precarious world” we inhabit.
Edmund de Waal, the chair of the 2024 judging panel, described the novel as a work where “everyone and no one is the subject.” He commended Harvey for her lyrical and precise language, which invites readers to see the world in a fresh, new way.
In recognition of her achievement, Harvey walks away with a £50,000 prize, which she has decided to spend on a new bike.
The Booker Prize, which is awarded for works of fiction written in English, has previously been won by literary giants such as Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, and Yann Martel.
Harvey’s win cements her place among these celebrated authors and marks a milestone in her literary career.
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