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A review by jodar
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A poetic novel taking multifarious perspectives of existence across space and time, viewed from the International Space Station, a symbol of collective human achievement.
In the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel, human hubris was cut down by divine fiat. In Orbital, human pride is erased by a recognition of the immensity of space and time within an uncaring, impersonal universe wholly unconcerned by individual tragedy or humanity’s collective concerns. Humanity is an ephemeral nullity, whose ‘mighty’ works on earth are not even visible from the ISS in the light of day.
Indeed, it is a skilfully written novel; but to me it does not quite succeed in conveying fully the brutal, nihilistic meaninglessness that is the logical outcome of this point of view.
In the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel, human hubris was cut down by divine fiat. In Orbital, human pride is erased by a recognition of the immensity of space and time within an uncaring, impersonal universe wholly unconcerned by individual tragedy or humanity’s collective concerns. Humanity is an ephemeral nullity, whose ‘mighty’ works on earth are not even visible from the ISS in the light of day.
Indeed, it is a skilfully written novel; but to me it does not quite succeed in conveying fully the brutal, nihilistic meaninglessness that is the logical outcome of this point of view.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement