Samantha Harvey Wins 2024 Booker Prize for 136-Page Novel "Orbital"

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Samantha Harvey, a British novelist, won the prestigious Booker Prize on Tuesday for her novel *Orbital*, a 136-page work that explores the lives of six astronauts as they reflect on Earth from the International Space Station. The novel, which unfolds over the course of a single day, features astronauts from Japan, Russia, the United States, Britain, and Italy, contemplating profound themes such as mourning, desire, and the ongoing climate crisis.

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Harvey's *Orbital* is the second-shortest novel to ever win the Booker Prize, and it makes history as the first Booker-winning novel set in space. The work, which comes with a £50,000 ($64,000) cash prize, is Harvey's fifth novel, and marks her first win after her debut, *The Wilderness*, was longlisted for the prize 15 years ago. 

In her acceptance speech, Harvey expressed her surprise, stating, "I was not expecting that." She dedicated the award to those who "speak for and not against the Earth; for and not against the dignity of other humans, other life; and all the humans who speak for and call for and work for peace."

The Booker Prize, which has been awarded since 1969, has become one of the most prestigious literary honors, with past winners including renowned authors such as Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan, Julian Barnes, and Kazuo Ishiguro. Harvey's win marks a significant moment, as she becomes the first woman to win since Atwood’s recognition in 2019.

Edmund de Waal, chair of the Booker Prize judging panel, described *Orbital* as "a book about a wounded world," highlighting the novel’s ability to blend lyricism with precision to make our world appear both strange and new. He emphasized that Harvey's work uniquely explores the theme of humanity’s relationship with the planet, from an elevated perspective in space.

Harvey, reflecting on her creation, described *Orbital* as a "space pastoral." She explained that her aim was to portray humanity's occupation of low Earth orbit not through science fiction, but through realism. She set herself the challenge of capturing the beauty of space from the perspective of a nature writer, attempting to evoke amazement and wonder from a vantage point few have experienced.

The Booker Prize this year also saw a historic shortlist, with five women among the six finalists. In addition to Harvey, the other female nominees were Rachel Kushner for *Creation Lake*, Anne Michaels for *Held*, Yael van der Wouden for *The Safekeep*, and Charlotte Wood for *Stone Yard Devotional*. The shortlist was rounded out by Percival Everett with *James*. Harvey’s win came in a highly competitive field, with Everett and Kushner considered the front-runners for the award.

The Booker Prize is open to works of fiction by writers of any nationality, written in English, and published in the UK or Ireland between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. It is known for highlighting new voices and works that may not yet be widely recognized by the public, often propelling lesser-known authors to international fame.

Harvey's *Orbital* now joins the ranks of celebrated Booker winners, with its unique perspective and timely themes resonating in a world facing unprecedented environmental challenges.

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