Samantha Harvey wins Booker Prize with her novel Orbital

Samantha Harvey

English writer and Creative Writing lecturer Booker Prize

British literary award International Space Station

modular space station in low Earth orbit

Provocative

Highlights

Samantha Harvey's novel Orbital, set aboard the International Space Station, won the Booker Prize for fiction.
The story, focused on astronauts and their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, was noted for its hopeful themes.
Harvey's win represents a significant moment for female authors, being the first female winner since 2019 and highlighting a landmark year for women writers.

Story

On November 11, 2024, British writer Samantha Harvey was awarded the Booker Prize for fiction for her novel, a poignant tale set on the International Space Station. Harvey's work, inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, revolves around six astronauts experiencing the beauty and fragility of Earth over 16 sunrises and sunsets. The judging panel, chaired by writer and artist Edmund de Waal, praised the work as a 'miraculous novel' that offers a fresh perspective on the world. Harvey's win marks a significant achievement, making her the first British author to win the prize since 2020 and the first female winner since 2019, amidst a year that celebrated a record number of women on the shortlist.

Opinions

You've reached the end