British Author Samantha Harvey Wins 2024 Booker Prize for 'Orbital'

Samantha Harvey has taken home the prestigious 2024 Booker Prize for her novel Orbital. Harvey, a British author, was awarded the £50,000 prize at a ceremony held at Old Billingsgate in London. Her novel, which unfolds over a single day aboard the International Space Station, was praised for its lyrical exploration of Earth from the astronauts’ perspective. This is the first time a book set in space has won the prize.

The win makes Harvey the first woman to receive the Booker Prize since 2019. Reflecting on her achievement, she dedicated the award to “all the people who speak for and not against the Earth” and to those working towards peace and human dignity. In a heartfelt acceptance speech, she revealed that her journey writing Orbital was filled with doubt, questioning why anyone would be interested in a fictional account of space. “I lost my nerve with it,” she admitted, even wondering if she had the authority to write about space when others had actually been there.

Orbital is Harvey’s fifth novel and stands out for its unique setting and brevity. At just 136 pages, it is one of the shortest books to ever win the Booker Prize. The story follows six astronauts as they witness 16 sunrises and sunsets in a single day, providing a fresh perspective on humanity’s relationship with Earth. The novel, described by Harvey as a “space pastoral,” was inspired by her time during the COVID-19 lockdowns, where she found parallels between life in isolation and the experiences of astronauts.

Harvey’s win comes at a time when discussions around climate change and global peace are more relevant than ever. While Orbital isn’t directly about climate change, it subtly reflects on the fragility of Earth and humanity’s impact on it. As Gaby Wood, chief executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, pointed out, the novel’s themes resonate deeply in a year expected to be one of the hottest on record.

Chair of the judging panel, Edmund de Waal, called Orbital a "miraculous novel" that turns the familiar into something new and profound. He commended its “language of lyricism” and how it manages to be both timely and timeless in its reflections on the world. The judges were unanimous in their decision, with de Waal emphasising that the book’s resonance and beauty stood out among the 156 submissions.

The competition this year was fierce, with a shortlist that included works by five women, the largest female representation in the award’s 55-year history. Among the other nominees were Percival Everett’s James, Rachel Kushner’s Creation Lake, and Anne Michaels’ Held. The record-breaking female presence on the shortlist was noted, though the judges made it clear that their decision was based purely on literary merit.

For Harvey, winning the Booker Prize is a life-changing moment. When asked how she would spend her prize money, she jokingly mentioned splurging on a new bike and some “expensive Danish liquorice.” Beyond that, she’s considering taking time off to focus on sculpting—a passion she hopes to explore further.

This win solidifies Harvey’s place among literary greats, joining past winners like Margaret Atwood and Hilary Mantel. As she embarks on the next chapter of her career, the world will be eagerly watching what this talented author creates next.