Online Price
Orbital
Collect 32 Reward Points
- Reduced delivery schedule until 5th Jan
- Book Synopsis
-
"A profoundly moving exploration of humanity and our fragile planet." – The Guardian
"Stunning... An uplifting book." – Sunday Times
A team of astronauts aboard the International Space Station spend their days gathering meteorological data, conducting scientific experiments, and pushing the boundaries of human endurance. But above all, they observe. From their unique vantage point, they witness Earth’s beauty and vulnerability, circling the planet sixteen times a day, seeing glaciers, deserts, mountain peaks, and vast oceans—all in just 24 hours.
As news of a family loss reaches them, they are reminded of their connection to the world below. They watch as a typhoon forms over an island inhabited by loved ones, struck by both the awe of nature's power and the anxiety of its destruction. Though far from Earth, they feel an undeniable pull to it—reflecting on the fragility of life, the essence of home, and humanity’s role in protecting the planet.
This compelling narrative invites readers to ponder profound questions: What is life without Earth? And what is Earth without humanity? Perfect for fans of space exploration, environmental literature, and philosophical reflections on life, this book offers an inspiring, deeply emotional view of our shared world.
- About The Author
- Samantha Harvey is the author of the novels Orbital, 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. Orbital was the winner of the Booker Prize 2024, and her other work has been 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.
- Product Details
-
- ISBN
- 9781529922936
- Format
- Paperback
- Publisher
- Vintage, (27 June 2024)
- Number of Pages
- 136
- Weight
- 117 grams
- Language
- English
- Dimensions
- 197 x 129 x 10 mm
- Categories: