British Author Wins Booker Prize 2024: 'Orbital' Takes Honor

Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize for her 'Orbital', the second shortest book in the prize's history. The story, set aboard the International Space Station during the COVID-19 pandemic, explores Earth's fragility and human connection, addressing environmental themes without direct climate change focus.

Award Details and Significance

Samantha Harvey won First Booker Prize for ‘Orbital’.
Second shortest book (136 pages) to win in the prize's history
Only Penelope Fitzgerald's 'Offshore' (132 pages) was shorter in 1979
Harvey previously shortlisted in 2009 for 'The Wilderness'
Other works include 'The Western Wind', 'Dear Thief', and 'The Shapeless Unease'
Third British author to win since 2020

About 'Orbital' and Its Themes

Written during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown
Set aboard International Space Station
Narrative follows six astronauts over 24 hours
Captures 16 sunrises and sunsets across the globe
Explores Earth's fragility and human connection
Addresses environmental themes without direct climate change focus
Praised for "crystalline writing" by judges
Called a "space pastoral" by the author

Competition and Judging Process Shortlisted Contenders:

James by Percival Everett (USA)
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (USA)
Held by Anne Michaels (Canada)
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (Netherlands)
Stone Yard Devotion by Charlotte Wood (Australia)

Judging Details:

Selected from 156 submitted novels
Full day of deliberation by judges
Unanimous decision
Chaired by Edmund de Waal
Largest number of women shortlisted in 55 years

Historical Context and Prize Background Booker Prize History:

Booker Prize established in 1968
First awarded in 1969 to P H Newby
Open to English-language novels published in UK and Ireland
Known for transforming writers' careers

Indian Winners:

Arundhati Roy (1997) - 'The God of Small Things'
Kiran Desai (2006) - 'The Inheritance of Loss'
Aravind Adiga (2008) - 'The White Tiger'

International Booker Prize:

Established in 2004
For translated works published in UK/Ireland
Changed from biennial to annual awards in 2016

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