Orbital

Samantha Harvey’s Orbital unfolds aboard the International Space Station, where six astronauts orbit Earth while grappling with the fragile politics of the world below. The novel is meditative and atmospheric, using the vantage point of space to reflect on borders, conflict, and the illusion of separation. Harvey’s prose is exquisite, weaving scientific detail with philosophical reflection. Though set far above Earth, the book is deeply grounded in human experience — longing, memory, responsibility, and the tension between personal and collective identity. The quiet, floating environment heightens every small emotional shift. It’s a contemplative and beautifully crafted piece of political fiction.