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A review by djc16
Satellite by Nick Lake
4.0
Satellite is the first Nick Lake I’ve read and I was mainly drawn in by the simple premise – children born in space preparing for their first trip ‘home,’ to Earth.
The book is split into clearly-defined parts – starting in space days before Leo and his best friends Orion and Libra are due to go to Earth from the International Space Station, and the second act as they experience life on this planet. The third part deals with the consequences of the reality of their new life on Earth.
Satellite is beautifully written, describing the wonder of Earth as seen from space initially, and yet incorporating a lot of scientific language. The concept of the book really makes you think about your own existence here and the things we take for granted, like gravity and movement on this planet.
Nick Lake introduces us to the characters right at a crucial juncture, hours before Leo’s mother is due to return to the ISS from Earth and days before his leaving to go to Earth. Leo is a fascinating central character, a gentle soul with a simple dream to see his Grandpa and live on the farm in America. He is curious for knowledge and trying to live a full life, struggling with a mother who is cold, businesslike and distant. Leo’s relationship with Libra and Orion is heartwarming, having grown up on the space station together and knowing nothing else but the limited space of the station. They each have their own distinct personalities and interests, but share a common love and awe for the planet and its promise of so many dreams not yet realised for the trio.
There are several high-stakes action setpieces early on which left me with my heart in my mouth, one in space and one upon re-entry to Earth. The narrative slows down as Leo and his companions acclimatise to life on Earth. The writing takes on a lyrical tone as Leo is constantly in awe of simple concepts like rain falling, dogs running around, ball-throwing and most memorably, bacon-tasting.
The plot picks up again as Leo struggles to adapt in a near-future world, where water is ever more scarce and overpopulation has become problematic. There’s an overarching plot with hints of conspiracy theories, involving the corporatisation of space, but the plot stays tightly focused on Leo’s story.
Satellite is really a joy to read, from its descriptions of everyday life for us to its perilous setpieces in which human life seems so fragile. There’s also more than an allusion to the concept of these kids as ‘other,’ something to be feared and misunderstood. They’re painted as aliens, making us question our own welcome to ‘others’ in society.
This book is a wonderful and emotional novel, with a magical quality that emerges from the simplicity of describing the freedom of movement in space, the restrictions and beauty of Earth, and everything in between.
The book is split into clearly-defined parts – starting in space days before Leo and his best friends Orion and Libra are due to go to Earth from the International Space Station, and the second act as they experience life on this planet. The third part deals with the consequences of the reality of their new life on Earth.
Satellite is beautifully written, describing the wonder of Earth as seen from space initially, and yet incorporating a lot of scientific language. The concept of the book really makes you think about your own existence here and the things we take for granted, like gravity and movement on this planet.
Nick Lake introduces us to the characters right at a crucial juncture, hours before Leo’s mother is due to return to the ISS from Earth and days before his leaving to go to Earth. Leo is a fascinating central character, a gentle soul with a simple dream to see his Grandpa and live on the farm in America. He is curious for knowledge and trying to live a full life, struggling with a mother who is cold, businesslike and distant. Leo’s relationship with Libra and Orion is heartwarming, having grown up on the space station together and knowing nothing else but the limited space of the station. They each have their own distinct personalities and interests, but share a common love and awe for the planet and its promise of so many dreams not yet realised for the trio.
There are several high-stakes action setpieces early on which left me with my heart in my mouth, one in space and one upon re-entry to Earth. The narrative slows down as Leo and his companions acclimatise to life on Earth. The writing takes on a lyrical tone as Leo is constantly in awe of simple concepts like rain falling, dogs running around, ball-throwing and most memorably, bacon-tasting.
The plot picks up again as Leo struggles to adapt in a near-future world, where water is ever more scarce and overpopulation has become problematic. There’s an overarching plot with hints of conspiracy theories, involving the corporatisation of space, but the plot stays tightly focused on Leo’s story.
Satellite is really a joy to read, from its descriptions of everyday life for us to its perilous setpieces in which human life seems so fragile. There’s also more than an allusion to the concept of these kids as ‘other,’ something to be feared and misunderstood. They’re painted as aliens, making us question our own welcome to ‘others’ in society.
This book is a wonderful and emotional novel, with a magical quality that emerges from the simplicity of describing the freedom of movement in space, the restrictions and beauty of Earth, and everything in between.