British writer Samantha Harvey’s space-station novel 'Orbital' wins the Booker Prize for fiction

LONDON (AP) — British writer Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize for fiction on Tuesday with “Orbital,” a short, wonder-filled novel set aboard the International Space Station that ponders the beauty and fragility of Earth.

Harvey was awarded the 50,000-pound ($64,000) prize for what she has called a “space pastoral” about six orbiting astronauts, which she began writing during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. The confined characters loop through 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets over the course of a day, trapped in one another’s company and transfixed by the globe’s ever-changing vistas.

“To look at the Earth from space is like a child looking into a mirror and realizing for the first time that the person in the mirror is herself," said Harvey, who researched her novel by reading books by astronauts and watching the space station's live camera. "What we do to the Earth we do to ourselves.”

She said the novel “is not exactly about climate change, but implied in the view of the Earth is the fact of human-made climate change."

She dedicated the prize to everyone who speaks "for and not against the Earth, for and not against the dignity of other humans, other life."

“All the people who speak for and call for and work for peace — this is for you,” she said.

Writer and artist Edmund de Waal, who chaired the five-member judging panel, called “Orbital” a “miraculous novel” that “makes our world strange and new for us.”

Gaby Wood, chief executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, noted that “in a year of geopolitical crisis, likely to be the warmest year in recorded history,” the winning book was “hopeful, timely and timeless.”

Harvey, who has written four previous novels and a memoir about insomnia, is the first British writer since 2020 to win the Booker. The prize is open to English-language writers of any nationality and has a reputation for transforming writers’ careers. Previous winners include Ian McEwan, Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie and Hilary Mantel.

De Waal praised the “crystalline” writing and “capaciousness” of Harvey’s succinct novel — at 136 pages in its U.K. paperback edition, one of the shortest-ever Booker winners.

“This is a book that repays slow reading,” he said.

He said the judges spent a full day picking their winner and came to a unanimous conclusion. Harvey beat five other finalists from Canada, the United States, Australia and the Netherlands, chosen from among 156 novels submitted by publishers.

American writer Percival Everett had been the bookies’ favorite to win with “James,” which reimagines Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” from the point of view of its main Black character, the enslaved man Jim.

The other finalists were American writer Rachel Kushner’s spy story “Creation Lake”; Canadian Anne Michaels’ poetic novel “Held”; Charlotte Wood’s Australian saga “Stone Yard Devotional”; and “The Safekeep” by Yael van der Wouden, the first Dutch author to be shortlisted for the Booker.

Harvey is the first female Booker winner since 2019, though one of five women on this year’s shortlist, the largest number in the prize’s 55-year history. De Waal said issues such as the gender or nationality of the authors were “background noise” that did not influence the judges.

“There was absolutely no question of box ticking or of agendas or of anything else. It was simply about the novel,” he said before the awards ceremony at Old Billingsgate, a grand former Victorian fish market in central London.

Founded in 1969, the Booker Prize is open to novels originally written in English published in the U.K. or Ireland. Last year’s winner was Irish writer Paul Lynch for post-democratic dystopia “Prophet Song.”

Lynch handed Harvey her Booker trophy at the ceremony, warning her that her life was about to change dramatically because of the Booker publicity boost.

Harvey said she was “overwhelmed," but remained down-to-earth about spending her prize money.

She said she'd disburse “some of it on tax. I want to buy a new bike. And then the rest — I want to go to Japan.”

Samantha Harvey poses with the trophy after winning the Booker Prize award 2024, in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Samantha Harvey poses with the trophy after winning the Booker Prize award 2024, in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

From left, Yael van der Wouden, Rachel Kushner, Anne Michaels, Britain's Queen Camilla, Charlotte Wood, Percival Everett, and Samantha Harvey pose during a reception for the Booker Prize Foundation at Clarence House, London, Tuesday Nov. 12, 2024. (Aaron Chown, Pool Photo via AP)

Samantha Harvey poses with the trophy and her book "Orbital" after winning the Booker Prize award 2024, in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Samantha Harvey speaks on stage after winning the Booker Prize award 2024, in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Samantha Harvey gives a speech after winning the Booker Prize award 2024, in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Samantha Harvey poses with the trophy after winning the Booker Prize award 2024, in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Samantha Harvey speaks on stage after winning the Booker Prize award 2024, in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Samantha Harvey poses with the trophy after winning the Booker Prize award 2024, in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Sara Pascoe arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Yael Van Der Wouden arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Charlotte Wood arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Sebastian Thiel arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Adjoa Andoh arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Gillian Anderson arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Charles Dance arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Percival Everett arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Rachel Kushner arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Lenny Henry, left, arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Yael Van Der Wouden arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Rachel Kushner arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Charlotte Wood arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

The Booker Prize award prior to the dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

The Booker Prize award prior to the dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Charles Dance arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Val McDermid arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Katy Hessel arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Percival Everett arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Gillian Anderson arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Charles Dance arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Yiyun Li arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Sara Pascoe arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Brett Anderson arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Brett Anderson arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Paterson Joseph arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Charles Dance arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

David Olusoga arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Adjoa Andoh arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. The Booker Prize is awarded to the best sustained work of fiction written in English and published in the UK and Ireland, in the opinion of the judges. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Gillian Anderson arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Samantha Harvey arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Samantha Harvey arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers would love to be in the Kansas City Chiefs' situation these days.

The two-time defending Super Bowl champions have already clinched their 10th consecutive postseason berth, the second-longest streak in NFL history. They are closing in on another AFC West title. And they play two of their next three at home, beginning with Sunday night's matchup against Los Angeles.

Oh, and the Chiefs are wholly unsatisfied with just about anything.

In back-to-back weeks, and wins over Carolina and Las Vegas decided in the final couple plays, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs (11-1) sounded as if they had lost. They admittedly have not played their best game yet, and with five games left in the regular season, time is becoming short to put everything together.

“I think when you clinch a playoff spot — that's your first goal is to get into the playoffs and give yourself a chance to go for that Super Bowl,” said Mahomes, who has been openly critical of his own play for much of the season. “We know we have a long way to go. We have to continue to work to get better to continue to be a better team going into the playoffs.”

While five games may not sound like much, it's a luxury compared to where Kansas City sat last season.

An argument could be made that the team didn't hit rock-bottom until Christmas Day, when it lost at home to the Raiders. But the Chiefs rolled on from there to the Super Bowl title, and did not lose again until their game at Buffalo a few weeks ago.

“We're happy to clinch a playoff berth,” Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton said, “but we have a long way to go to reach the end goal.”

So do the Chargers (8-4), though they are certainly moving in the right direction.

They climbed back to the No. 5 seed in the playoffs with their win over the Falcons coupled with the Ravens' loss to the Eagles, putting them in a good spot in Jim Harbaugh's first season. They've also won five of six with the lone loss to Baltimore.

"Oh yeah, we look at the standings, for sure,” Harbaugh ackowledged. “They are very important. We’re fighting for our playoff lives.”

They would be helped immeasurably by ending a six-game skid against the Chiefs on Sunday night.

“It’d be great if somebody else doesn’t win, but you can’t count on that. It’s something you don’t count on,” Harbaugh said. "You have to win the games yourselves. That’s what you have to do. Can’t really spend any energy hoping a team messes up.”

D.J. Humphries could make his Kansas City debut at left tackle just over a week after signing with the team. The former Pro Bowl pick had spent the summer and start of the season rehabbing from a torn ACL, but pronounced himself fit and ready to go.

“I got full faith that this organization knows what to do with football players and knows where to put them,” Humphries said. “All I have to do is go out there and be the best version of myself every day.”

It doesn't seem to matter who's kicking for the Chiefs these days; they always come through.

When Harrison Butker went on injured reserve with a knee injury, Spencer Shrader arrived off the Jets' practice squad and he promptly kicked the game-winner against Carolina. And when he hurt his hamstring, Matt Wright arrived and made four field goals last week against Las Vegas.

The Chargers had four interceptions off Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins last week, their most since Dec. 6, 2022, against Indianapolis. Tarheeb Still had two of them, returning one 61 yards for a go-ahead touchdown, while Marcus Maye and Derwin James had the others. The one by James with 47 seconds to go sealed the 17-13 victory.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has gone 305 pass attempts without an interception, and he could break the NFL record of 402 set by Aaron Rodgers in just a few more games.

But simply taking care of the ball didn't translate into much offense against the Falcons, who held the Chargers to just 187 yards and without an offensive touchdown.

“The way he protected the ball, whether he was throwing it or in the pocket, when he got hit — no opportunities. Nothing was given there,” Harbaugh said of his quarterback. "I thought he made all the plays that he really could have.”

The Chiefs are beginning perhaps the wildest stretch of the wildest schedule in the NFL this season.

After Sunday night's game, they head to Cleveland, then play Houston six days later Saturday. That game was scheduled on that date so Kansas City could head to Pittsburgh on Christmas for a rare Wednesday kickoff. And the Chiefs' regular-season finale against the Broncos is currently up in the air as a flex game in Week 18.

“It's awkward,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said, “to say the least.”

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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright (49) kicks a field goal from the hold of Matt Araiza during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) holds the recovery ball after a fumble by the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) greets fan following an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) sets back to pass the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates with teammates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)