ORBITAL by Samantha Harvey

Other than a vague recollection of having watched the Challenger explode on launch, my only touch points for the possible realities of space travel were those found in the music of David Bowie, Elton John and Sesame Street’s Ernie. Sure, I watched the odd Chris Hadfield clip on YouTube but the whole gig has never loomed large on my radar. It comes as little surprise then that the lives of a bunch of astronauts orbiting Earth on a space station in Orbital hits with the exact balance of wonder and ennui I’d expect .

In many ways, this is a gorgeous book. Harvey writes exquisite sentences that do justice to the many profound observations she makes. Let’s face it. Being holed up in a tin can staring into an infinite distance that contains both multitudes and nothing gives you some serious perspective. Not only does Harvey touch on climate, war and the fragility of our collective follies, but the astronauts’ individual stories engage powerfully with themes of family, ambition and self. Alas, it sometimes feels a bit much; like we are being crushed by the preponderance of beauty until we are tiny and alone and longing for something more.

Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Jonathan Cape, 2023
136 pages