As British author Samantha Harvey wins for her beautifully expansive novel which invites us to observe Earth’s splendour, here's everything you need to know about the prize-winning novel
The minute Edmund de Waal was chosen to chair the 2024 Booker Prize committee, we were assured a selection of works of stylistic distinction. Anyone who has read his "The Hare with Amber Eyes" knows he understands careful writing and brings to his own the refined sensibilities with which he crafts his porcelain art. His dazzling and refreshingly cliché-free introductory remarks to the announcement of this year’s winner could serve as a Booker Readers’ Manifesto. (Upload the pamphlet, please!) We do indeed read, not just for propulsive plots and memorable characterization, but also for the quiet pleasure of purely perceiving — of feeling free to suspend conclusions in favor of inquiry. We read with urgency and hope, to be shaken out of insufficient points of view. What a joyful experience reading each of this year’s selections was for those reasons and more. Congratulations and thanks to a most thoughtful group of judges and nominees and to Samantha Harvey, this year’s winner, in a field of excellence, on her gorgeous paean to Earth, "Orbital".
I am beside myself with excitement! Congratulations to all the authors, all the judges. Thank you all so much for your hard work and contributions to making our world bigger, brighter, and more breathtaking! This was my top pick and i cried like I had won! This was just an amazing year for reading!
I’m in Australia so my orbit meant that I was asleep for this news. I woke up to an email from my local library saying that Orbital was ready to be collected, after being in the queue to borrow it for about eight weeks now. The next email in my inbox was this announcement from the Booker. Congratulations to Samantha Harvey and I’m loving all the extra insights and background provided by the Booker.
Delighted that Orbital won. I have sung its praises more than once, but I was so glad to read a lyrical book about motion and endlessly moving perspectives. Orbital for me explored the paradox that intimacy can be created through distance, and inner space discovered in outer space.
It goes against the grain of fiction that offers the reader a noble but predictable stance on issues.
I have just finished reading Orbital - it is absolutely exquisite, moving and powerful with beautiful elegant prose. After a lifetime of reading I cannot think of another book like it. It invites the reader to share the observations of the astronauts in a profound way. I think of our 'blue planet' in a very different way thanks to this perfect, small book. Congratulations Samantha - I am beyond thrilled that Orbital is this year's Booker prize winner.
Well done Sam! (If you're reading this!) So, so pleased for you -- and what a truly moving speech. (Obviously, it was attending my Star Wars party back in 1999 that was your key influence in writing this book.) I haven't yet read Orbital. I'm sorry. But I will. And I know it will be a book to treasure.
I really enjoyed Will Poulter's reading in the short clip you posted. Something lovely in being read to. I've added Orbital to my TBR list, as I find books with beautiful language and lyrical prose, or unusual form, more captivating than plot... although that's not to say I don't admire a gnarly plot that keeps us guessing too! Congrats to the author!💕
Congratulations to to Samantha Harvey on this year's booker prize I had a thought thatshe would win, by the title, book cover and what it's about also can't wait to read it I was often fascinated by earth and space, ever since being a fan of sailor moon.
This is a good moment to be reminded that literature is still being made, great books are waiting to be read, and not everything has been contaminated by the awfulness of current events.
Yes, it's very well-written book. But sadly not a patch on Richard Powers' long-listed novel, "PLAYGROUND" which is a poetic masterpiece exploring Planet OCEAN., capitalist colonialism (The Big Game, as it was known in the 19th century), the future of the environment and the spread of artificial intelligence. Maybe he's too well-known and too successful to get the prize.
I listened to Orbital earlier this summer. I probably chose it because I love science fiction and thought that Orbital would scratch that itch. While I waited for "something" science-fictiony to happen, I was so much happier to be amazed and delighted by gorgeous prose and intense visual images. The narrator read beautifully; she completely brought this remarkable book to life. Wonderful choice, Booker judges!!
You’re right, the comment on the Booker going downhill was unnecessary, but this still sounds like a completely boring premise. It would be nice if the Booker would champion something challenging and difficult.
Unfortunately, it’s become the way of the World that people impart opinions while acknowledging that they are in no position to pass judgment….why don’t you read it then you can repost about what you do know? (and absolutely fine if you don’t like it)
The minute Edmund de Waal was chosen to chair the 2024 Booker Prize committee, we were assured a selection of works of stylistic distinction. Anyone who has read his "The Hare with Amber Eyes" knows he understands careful writing and brings to his own the refined sensibilities with which he crafts his porcelain art. His dazzling and refreshingly cliché-free introductory remarks to the announcement of this year’s winner could serve as a Booker Readers’ Manifesto. (Upload the pamphlet, please!) We do indeed read, not just for propulsive plots and memorable characterization, but also for the quiet pleasure of purely perceiving — of feeling free to suspend conclusions in favor of inquiry. We read with urgency and hope, to be shaken out of insufficient points of view. What a joyful experience reading each of this year’s selections was for those reasons and more. Congratulations and thanks to a most thoughtful group of judges and nominees and to Samantha Harvey, this year’s winner, in a field of excellence, on her gorgeous paean to Earth, "Orbital".
I am beside myself with excitement! Congratulations to all the authors, all the judges. Thank you all so much for your hard work and contributions to making our world bigger, brighter, and more breathtaking! This was my top pick and i cried like I had won! This was just an amazing year for reading!
Thank you for your support - these books need readers just like you! 📚
Orbital is a beautiful homage to the World and humanity. I usually like plot driven novels yet this still won me over.
Sharing this with my daughter who is an English major in Germany.
Thanks, Linda - we're glad you love it as much as we do!
I’m in Australia so my orbit meant that I was asleep for this news. I woke up to an email from my local library saying that Orbital was ready to be collected, after being in the queue to borrow it for about eight weeks now. The next email in my inbox was this announcement from the Booker. Congratulations to Samantha Harvey and I’m loving all the extra insights and background provided by the Booker.
Thanks Ingrid, we hope it was a delight to wake up to the news!
Delighted that Orbital won. I have sung its praises more than once, but I was so glad to read a lyrical book about motion and endlessly moving perspectives. Orbital for me explored the paradox that intimacy can be created through distance, and inner space discovered in outer space.
It goes against the grain of fiction that offers the reader a noble but predictable stance on issues.
Well done Booker judges!
I have just finished reading Orbital - it is absolutely exquisite, moving and powerful with beautiful elegant prose. After a lifetime of reading I cannot think of another book like it. It invites the reader to share the observations of the astronauts in a profound way. I think of our 'blue planet' in a very different way thanks to this perfect, small book. Congratulations Samantha - I am beyond thrilled that Orbital is this year's Booker prize winner.
❤️📚🌌
Well done Sam! (If you're reading this!) So, so pleased for you -- and what a truly moving speech. (Obviously, it was attending my Star Wars party back in 1999 that was your key influence in writing this book.) I haven't yet read Orbital. I'm sorry. But I will. And I know it will be a book to treasure.
Thanks for your support Matt - you've got a book to put top of your TBR pile, now. No excuses!
I really enjoyed Will Poulter's reading in the short clip you posted. Something lovely in being read to. I've added Orbital to my TBR list, as I find books with beautiful language and lyrical prose, or unusual form, more captivating than plot... although that's not to say I don't admire a gnarly plot that keeps us guessing too! Congrats to the author!💕
Thanks, Ali! It's an amazing reading by Will. Hopefully, there's space on your bookshelf for all sorts of books on your shelves!
Congratulations to to Samantha Harvey on this year's booker prize I had a thought thatshe would win, by the title, book cover and what it's about also can't wait to read it I was often fascinated by earth and space, ever since being a fan of sailor moon.
It grips us all, doesn't it!
🎉🎊🎉📚 HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE AUTHOR, AND THE PUBLISHER 📚🎉🎊🎶
Thanks as always, Ibrahim!
This is a good moment to be reminded that literature is still being made, great books are waiting to be read, and not everything has been contaminated by the awfulness of current events.
Hear, hear!
Yes, it's very well-written book. But sadly not a patch on Richard Powers' long-listed novel, "PLAYGROUND" which is a poetic masterpiece exploring Planet OCEAN., capitalist colonialism (The Big Game, as it was known in the 19th century), the future of the environment and the spread of artificial intelligence. Maybe he's too well-known and too successful to get the prize.
I loved Playground also, possibly Richard Powers’ best, but there is an elegant simplicity to Orbital that says so much in so few words.
I listened to Orbital earlier this summer. I probably chose it because I love science fiction and thought that Orbital would scratch that itch. While I waited for "something" science-fictiony to happen, I was so much happier to be amazed and delighted by gorgeous prose and intense visual images. The narrator read beautifully; she completely brought this remarkable book to life. Wonderful choice, Booker judges!!
Thank you, Patricia!
Have not read the book but it sounds like the least interesting thing possible. The Booker has really gone downhill.
Dear Harold, don't judge things out of self-confessed ignorance. You only make yourself sound more stupid than you might be.
You’re right, the comment on the Booker going downhill was unnecessary, but this still sounds like a completely boring premise. It would be nice if the Booker would champion something challenging and difficult.
Unfortunately, it’s become the way of the World that people impart opinions while acknowledging that they are in no position to pass judgment….why don’t you read it then you can repost about what you do know? (and absolutely fine if you don’t like it)