Samantha Harvey Wins 2024 Booker Prize for Orbital

Samantha Harvey has won the 2024 Booker Prize for her novel 'Orbital', which is set aboard the International Space Station and follows six astronauts over a 24-hour period. This marks a significant achievement as she is the first woman to win the award since 2019, and her work is notable for being the shortest novel to win at just 136 pages. Harvey's lyrical narrative not only explores the beauty of Earth from space but also delves into themes of humanity and environmental concerns, making it particularly relevant to contemporary issues. The novel was inspired during the COVID lockdowns, and Harvey dedicated her win to those advocating for peace and the planet. The announcement was made at a ceremony in London, where it was revealed that the judges unanimously favored 'Orbital', describing it as a 'love letter to our planet'. Harvey's victory reignites discussions about the representation of British authors in major literary awards, amidst a shortlist featuring a record number of female authors.