Review -'Orbit' by Samantha Harvey Booker Prize winner 2024

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Don't read this book in just one sitting. 

Promise me now, don't do this!

It is easy to do so because it is a short novel. But don't. Do not under any circumstances squander the delicious privilege of reading this book; of re-reading chapters or paragraphs as you go, to better glean even further meaning from the prose. 

Give yourself time to ponder; to reflect and think about what you have just read. Some sentences are so profound; so exquisitely crafted in layers of meaning. My perspectives on a number of issues have been constantly explored, reframed and shifted. And I rarely say this about a book!  I had to force myself to put it down. To stretch out the reading experience. To truly savour it. 

And yes, I frequently went back and re-read paragraphs. Ssshhhh, I'll whisper this bit.....sinful.....I even turned down the corner of odd pages, where text and prose had made me think so hard, or caught and fired my imagination so much. The way Harvey plays with words, descriptions and metaphors is at times, breathtaking. 

So, a contemplation on the human race from the viewpoint of six astronauts aboard the International Space Station.  Six astronauts from US, Russia, UK, Italy and Japan. Twenty four hours - sixteen 9 hour orbits - sixteen sunsets - sixteen sunrises. One day aboard! 

From clearing out the filters and watching accompanying mice to learning how to 'fly' in their cages, to major space walks and the profound sense of helplessness over the loss of a parent whilst serving aboard the space station, this is an amazing book, full of extraordinary descriptions of the surface of our planet as the astronauts within their various capsules whizz by overhead us all. Its detailed but short descriptions of aspects of daily life aboard the vessel are so well researched and I found myself so emotionally invested in the minutiae of each astronaut's thinking and daily life. A truly well-woven masterpiece.

The Booker Prize committee said: 

"Our unanimity about Orbital recognises its beauty and ambition. It reflects Harvey's extraordinary intensity of attention to the precious and precarious world we share"

In my humble opinion, that is a very succinct, accurate tribute which, at the same time,  doesn't even begin to pay sufficient homage to a master storyteller. 

If you are into Space, astronomy or astrophotography, this book should be on your reading list! 

This book has earned its place on my bookshelf permanently, forever! Alongside other books that profoundly affected me when I first read them. With regard to useful books for those beginning astronomy and/or astrophotography, I will write a blog on that subject in the near future!