Orbital by Samantha Harvey, shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize, is the choice for this month’s Church Times Book Club. On the podcast this week, the Revd Gerry Lynch, who has written about the book in this week’s Church Times, discusses it with Ed Thornton. Read the essay here: https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/1-november/books-arts/book-club/book-club-orbital-by-samantha-harvey

Orbital is published by Vintage at £9.99 (Church Times Bookshop £8.99); 978-5299-2293-6. https://chbookshop.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781529922936/orbital?vc=CT401

Orbital is a series of meditations by six fictional astronauts on the International Space Station. Travelling at an altitude of 250 miles above sea level, and orbiting the Earth 16 times a day, the book covers the life of the crew over a 24-hour period. Observations by the astronauts as they look down wistfully on the Earth are ones mixed with wonder and fear. Crossing war zones and impenetrable borders, and tracking a menacing typhoon, the book makes for uncomfortable viewing. Ultimately, Orbital is a book of hope, reaffirming in the reader a sense of insignificance in the presence of a larger, more magnificent realm.

The Revd Gerry Lynch is Rector of the Wellsprings Benefice, in the diocese of Salisbury.

Ed Thornton is Assistant Editor of the Church Times.

The Church Times Book Club is run in association with the Festival of Faith and Literature, which is taking place in Winchester from 28 February to 2 March. Find information about the programme and how to buy tickets here.

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