I loved this book! I appreciated the philosophical view of what it means to travel and live in space, without being heavy-handed. I liked the insight into each character's mind and their backstories.

This book is not for the science fiction readers. Slow in pace with little action, this book is very much a member of the literary fiction genre. That being said, I enjoyed it. Its rare to read a slower paced book set in space, especially one that focuses on the relationships between the characters as they exist and work in a small, intense space. Overall this was pleasant, but not for everyone.

A simple premise: six astronauts and cosmonauts, living and working on the International Space Station. This slim novel captures one day in their unusual lives, as they hurtle through space at 17,000 miles an hour. This might be one of the biggest surprise reads of the year for me. A fascinating meditation on our planet. A moving elegy of our place in the world and the universe. The writing is so smart, profound and contemplative. I was immediately hooked by her hypnotic narrative. Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for supplying me with an advanced galley.

Our blue pearl - the earth - circled by a team of astronauts of the ISS. Observing and thinking about it all far from home. They feel as if they have to protect this beautiful floating thing in the universe. Everyone should read this book to reflect on our life and our behavior toward our habitat. Left me very thoughtful.

3.75 stars rounded up.

This book was a conundrum for me. I'm a big fan of purple prose, especially if it's dripping with description and asks bigger questions. And Orbital by Samantha Harvey does that. It's a beautifully stunning commentary following six astronauts over one day orbiting the earth. The way we navigate the larger picture of the world, described in ways that brought tears to my eyes at times, to the smaller individual struggles of each astronaut was wonderful to read. BUT (and it's a big one) the ways this book tends to meander and go down rabbit holes without any real purpose almost lost me a few times. And this book isn't long.

I would say if you liked the thoughtfulness that was in To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers, you may like this. But this one definitely isn't as strong, in my opinion. I did really enjoy moments of this book though, and parts of it will stick with me forever.

Thank you to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and Libro.fm for the eARC and ALC. This title published December 5, 2023.

i LOVED the concept of ORBITAL, space themes without the heavy sci-fi or fantasy elements. but i wasn't quite expecting the stream-of-consciousness geography lesson that was ORBITAL in execution. harvey's prose was just as often stunning as it was overwrought, and the novel was too short to develop characters more than at a surface level. i can clearly see harvey's fascination with how emotionally charged it must be to spend time in space, looking at our globe from a vantage point where politics, borders, and conflicts disappear and only the beauty of millions of years of the universe's handiwork is on display. this certainly did provoke a bit of an existential crisis in me, but as a novel i was hoping for more coherency and grounding. the structure of the sections (16 orbits) blended into one another, and i'm unsure those were useful here. i think if you want woolf in space, this would be a great pick for you but just was not what i was expecting from the blurb.

I fear this didn't really work for me. It is a personal thing: fiction that tries to instill awe in the reader usually does not have that effect on me... In Orbital, the idea is to evoke the beauty of our tiny and vulnerable planet and the lives lived on it by observing and contemplating it from space.

For me a good nature documentary has a much stronger impact.

If there had been a plot it could have been more interesting and impactful (In Ascension by Martin McGinnes for instance does that).

That is not to say it isn't well-written!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Unique voice with a great sense of authorial speech. Really impressed! Just give me more of what she is brewing.

TL;DR A haunting book—while you’re reading it—in which not very much happens, in the end.

I looked forward to reading this all year, and… It wasn’t what I expected. Even when it seems like something may happen, it …really doesn’t. Or it does, or off-page, and it doesn’t seem to have too much to do with the story in the end. And that’s my biggest criticism of the book. If you’re in it for a meditation on the planet, and human life on it, then it could be wonderful.

There are many thoughts, many repetitive thoughts—on the geography of Earth as seen from Space, on LEO, on travel to the moon, and one day to Mars. That makes up perhaps 90% of the book. The rest is a little about the lives and interiority of the astronauts and cosmonauts, but there really isn’t much of that. And after having finished it some days ago, I find my recollection of Orbital blurry, and my feelings about it fairly…meh.

So. It disappointed me, but I probably expected too much, or something different. The mileage of other readers will vary, I’m sure. I am still glad I read it, and maybe snippets of it will come back to me over time. Certainly I’ll remember the bit about national toilets.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Grove Atlantic for access.

This was one of my most unique reads of the year, with the title of the book manifesting in Samantha Harvey's writing style... cyclical, ethereal, orbital. The way the author cycles through perspective and narrates the circling of the Earth makes the reader really feel as if they are on board the space craft with the characters. This is one of the most memorable, brilliant writing styles I have ever read. and it will stick with me.

I enjoyed the poetic, metaphysical musings of each cosmonaut, and the prose was absolutely gorgeous. However, I still found myself a little disconnected to most of the characters by the end of the book, and I was craving some kind of "a-ha" climactic moment.

To me, this novel has the legs of genius, but lacks the full execution of a literary masterpiece.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC.

Here's the thing about Orbital: It is definitely a "slice of life" novel, which I am down with. Thing is, usually in this case, it is a character-driven sort of situation, but I did not feel particularly connected to the characters. So it was more... word-driven. That is probably not a real thing, but that is how it felt to me. There is a great deal of waxing poetic about life, and humanity, and our place in the universe. That is frankly kind of cool, as I like to think about that kind of stuff.

Where it didn't quite work for me is that it was sort of only about that. Sure, there are characters, obviously we're spending a day with them meandering around the earth. But I never really got a good sense of who they were, just that they existed. Maybe that is the point, I have no idea. The writing was indeed lovely, so the fact that it was word-driven wasn't the worst thing in the world. Here's the crux of it: I did not dislike reading this story, as the author certainly has a way with words. Maybe it was just my expectations being too high, because my real qualm was that I felt no different after reading it than I had before. I read it, I felt appreciation for the writing and thoughts, and moved on. It was not bad, don't misunderstand! It just... was.

Bottom Line: What I wrote when I finished reading is "Well. This book... exists." I'll stick with that.

Special thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This book was definitely not for me. Lyrically written, its about 4 astronauts and 2 cosmonauts from America, Italy, Russia, Britain, and Japan hurtling around space and observing the Earth. This book was sooo not for me. It had no plot whatsoever but if you like reading beautiful prose that goes nowhere, this book is for you. I was highly disappointed. It was an almost painfully slow read for me..

If you are looking for something exciting, this book is definitely not for you. It certainly wasn't my cup of tea.

2 stars!

I just reviewed Orbital by Samantha Harvey. #Orbital #NetGalley
Samantha Harvey's "Orbital" immerses us in the daily lives and intimate thoughts of six astronauts from different countries working on a space station. The premise of the novel promises a unique experience, exploring existence in space and offering a poetic perspective of Earth from above.
From the outset, Harvey's lyrical writing captivates, painting in words the beauty and fragility of our planet from orbit. The author demonstrates her ability to weave evocative descriptions that transport us to an environment that only a privileged few have experienced.
However, as the reading progresses, expectations can become a stumbling block. The absence of a structured plot can disorientate those expecting a conventional narrative. "Orbital" comes across more as a collection of individual thoughts and feelings than a cohesive story. The lack of meaningful interaction between characters and the absence of character development may leave one longing for a deeper connection to the figures that populate this isolated space.
Reading "Orbital" can become slow and, in some cases, tedious. The absence of substantial events can make the novel feel static, with no clear progression to sustain interest. This introspective approach may not be to everyone's taste, as the story is mostly about the inner thoughts of the astronauts, without offering much action or dynamism.
Expectations may also play a crucial role in the reception of the novel. Although it is classified as science fiction, those looking for a narrative full of exciting space adventures may be disappointed. "Orbital" doesn't delve into the fast-paced action typical of the genre, but instead focuses on contemplation and exploration of the human condition in an extraordinary environment.
In short, Samantha Harvey's "Orbital" offers a beautiful and lyrical vision of space, but its focus on individual thoughts and feelings may not satisfy all readers. Those looking for a dynamic plot and interactive characters may find the reading slow and, at times, lacking the expected excitement. However, for those who appreciate introspective exploration and the poetry of writing, "Orbital" can be a unique literary experience.

"Orbital" de Samantha Harvey nos sumerge en la vida cotidiana y los pensamientos íntimos de seis astronautas provenientes de distintos países que trabajan en una estación espacial. La premisa de la novela promete una experiencia única, explorando la existencia en el espacio y ofreciendo una perspectiva poética de la Tierra desde lo más alto.
Desde el principio, la escritura lírica de Harvey cautiva, pintando con palabras la belleza y fragilidad de nuestro planeta desde la órbita. La autora demuestra su habilidad para tejer descripciones evocadoras que nos transportan a un entorno que solo unos pocos privilegiados han experimentado.
Sin embargo, a medida que avanzamos en la lectura, las expectativas pueden convertirse en un escollo. La ausencia de una trama estructurada puede desorientar a aquellos que esperan una narrativa convencional. "Orbital" se presenta más como una colección de pensamientos y sentimientos individuales que como una historia cohesionada. La falta de interacción significativa entre los personajes y la ausencia de desarrollo de estos últimos pueden dejarnos deseando una conexión más profunda con las figuras que pueblan este espacio aislado.
La lectura de "Orbital" puede volverse lenta y, en algunos casos, tediosa. La ausencia de eventos sustanciales puede hacer que la novela se sienta estática, sin una progresión clara que mantenga el interés. Este enfoque introspectivo puede no ser del gusto de todos, ya que la historia se desarrolla principalmente en los pensamientos internos de los astronautas, sin ofrecer mucha acción o dinamismo.
Las expectativas también pueden desempeñar un papel crucial en la recepción de la novela. Aunque se clasifica como ciencia ficción, aquellos que busquen una narrativa repleta de emocionantes peripecias espaciales pueden sentirse defraudados. "Orbital" no se adentra en la acción trepidante típica del género, sino que se centra en la contemplación y la exploración de la condición humana en un entorno extraordinario.
En resumen, "Orbital" de Samantha Harvey ofrece una visión hermosa y lírica del espacio, pero su enfoque en pensamientos y sentimientos individuales puede no satisfacer a todos los lectores. Aquellos que busquen una trama dinámica y personajes interactivos pueden encontrar la lectura lenta y, en ciertos momentos, carente de la emoción esperada. Sin embargo, para aquellos que aprecien la exploración introspectiva y la poesía de la escritura, "Orbital" puede ser una experiencia literaria única.

I wish I had connected with this book because the premise was lovely - but the stream of consciousness style was not my style.

A novella set aboard an International Space Station, Orbital (2023) by Samantha Harvey is an enthralling ode to the beauty of our Earth. The team of six astronauts is conducting scientific experiments and observing the Earth as they orbit around, sixteen times a day. Besides detailing their daily lives in space, the narrative gives good insight into the four astronauts from America, Britain Italy and Japan, as well as the two Russian cosmonauts. A rich imagery of an International Space Station is revealed, with its daily routine, characters’ life on earth and philosophical reflections. There is also a listing of life events, historical characters and mentions of space exploration history. Although a Sci-Fi tale, this novella graphically captures life in space and the need to care for our planet in a four star read rating. With thanks to Grove Atlantic and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

Orbital by Samantha Harvey is a truly lyrical work of stream-of-consciousness fiction. Six astronauts on an orbiting space station are revealed to the reader through their innermost thoughts. Harvey deftly builds tension and suspense by way of more and more intimate thoughts and memories, allowing us to both understand more and also invest more emotionally in the characters and their plight. The descriptions of earth, of space, of their orbit are so beautiful and evocative that I would swear I could hear the music of space as I was reading. An absolutely transcendent read.

I loved this lyrical, intimate novel about six astronauts as they circle the world and watch a catastrophic storm form and make landfall. Its circular form--how could it have anything but?--moves the reader from protagonist to protagonist, learning their habits and passions and dislikes as the world below shifts and changes in small and dramatic ways, all of them profound and compelling. What will remain when they return to earth? What will they desire, shun, dismiss? This single day--sixteen orbits--will leave them all changed.

Orbital by Samantha Harvey is a slender, though profound, novel that uses the tale of six astronauts inside a claustrophobic spacecraft to explore themes like relations, perspectives, points of view, and the temporal and spatial effects that different points of view exert on a viewer.

This book is lyrical and poetic and so beautiful. It's also not like other books. It tells the story of it's six characters (I was going to call them protagonists, but I think that's too strong a word ), their present situation on board the International Space Station (although I don't think it's ever actually named) their pasts, though snippets and memories. It'a deeply intensely personal, but it's also about humanity and out relationship with the earth, why we do what we do. It's about everything and nothing, This would be a great book club book because it is literary, but still really readable and has themes running on so many different levels.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for this Advanced Readers Copy of Orbital by Samantha Harvey