Samantha Harvey's 'Orbital' Wins 2024 Booker Prize Amidst Buzz and Controversy
Samantha Harvey's novel "Orbital," set on the International Space Station, won the Booker Prize despite her initial doubts about writing a space-themed book. The novel, described as a "space pastoral," explores the beauty and fragility of Earth through the lives of astronauts and cosmonauts. Harvey, who struggled with anxiety and insomnia, found solace in writing during the pandemic, drawing parallels between her experiences and the novel's themes. "Orbital" reflects on human cooperation and environmental concerns, leaving readers to ponder hope and despair.
