'Orbital' by Samantha Harvey - BOOK REVIEW (AND RANT)

[@bookishmartin]

This was just an essay written in purple prose flimsily disguised as a novel. The general vibe was Humanities graduate discovers that science is amazing and cannot be stopped from going on about it

[@sapodilla25]

I teach descriptive writing in GCSE classes and this is the type of thing the curriculum demands. A lot of pretty adjectives and adverbs, a lot of elongated noun phrases and unique metaphors. I did enjoy reading it just for the beautiful language and some of the things they muse on.

[@franciscolealgonzalez1333]

This is why so many people are leaving contemporary fiction, especially lately when prizes mean nothing.

[@becgroves5795]

I bought this book despite your review, for my 17-year old niece because it sounded like it would suit someone young. I read it (skipped chunks) and…I didn’t like it. The book feels like a victim of Stockholm syndrome, held captive by New-Agers singing Coom Ba Yah and self-congratulations on their profound observations.

[@nathansnook]

when i am retired can i hire you to roast me because you went full HAM on this and i couldn't have asked for more

[@jpinkpop792]

Just finished this and completely agree. Obvious points like 'you can't see countries borders in space' oh really, thanks for that

[@mark-vf6rl]

That's how crap it is. Writer had no interest in earth from space or in front of their nose. Then a random idea from Google about 16 sunsets in 24 hours. In fact borders are very obvious from space, just as rabbit fences and North Korea is a black hole at night. A reading on the radio, sounds like AI, astronauts are a specially selected bunch of boring morons who can be safely trusted to have no original thoughts. Author missed an opportunity.

[@CharlieBrookReads]

Agree. I maaaay have nicknamed this book Snorbital 👀🥱💤

[@TheEmzies]

As soon as I hear "good writing", I immediately think the reviewer is praising the writing to make up for a lack of plot or characterisation. It seems like that is the case hwre.

[@jjjjjjj6137]

As a wattpad writer I'm offended.

[@stevies-readies]

LMAOOO i say this as a Praiseworthy stan -- i loved Orbital and its immersive writing. i resonated with it, which was probably a time and place thing, way before the longlist came out. i certainly didn't have the "booker bias" i feel when attacking the longlist, which can feel like a college torturous reading assignment at the worst of times (held)

[@BandysBooks]

I read this prior to the Booker Longlist and felt similarly. Some pretty description, but not a lot going on. I’m scared as Held is my next read. 😅

[@BobTheBookerer]

I love that we are keeping the universe in balance 😂 Although I really enjoyed it, I did get to the end and feel like I needed just a little something ‘extra’ to cap it off.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Also, your rant about Praiseworthy and ‘heart’ was great fun. Although I think I see what De Waal is saying with that, it does make me wonder if more nakedly ‘literary’ books have suffered, due to a need to balance it is as a ‘finest fiction with an eye on readability and accessibility’ prize.

[@readandre-read]

I liked the descriptions of weightlessness and living on a space station, but all of the sweeping panoramic views... how did such a short book end up bloated?

[@achunaryan3418]

0:56 1:10 😂😂😂

[@achunaryan3418]

All the comments after this came from shorts. Not for your channel.

[@bookofdust]

I felt that they had a color hue chart and were checking off as they used each color.

[@bratportpower]

130 pages and felt long

[@MsChayanika]

Agree

[@jonnyvanderhorst]

In Ascension is still shit though

[@theeconstantreader]

I have this on my TBR but I might still read it after this just so I can feel something 😂

[@NerdyNurseReads]

What do you mean??? This was life changing 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TheDiscoKingOfficial]

@@NerdyNurseReads hmm this one was probably a little long for Jack

[@NerdyNurseReads]

@@TheDiscoKingOfficial 😂😂😂 is that why he found it life affirming??

[@PongyiPansy]

OMG! I'm not alone at all that Anne Michaels seems to be arrogant for her novel Held. That's my impression too! 😅

[@maywestman5558]

The disappointment continues. It's not even a pretty cover.

[@derekgo611]

It's not Kutsea... it's Kutsee

[@Shelf_Improvement]

A chore and a bore. My review for this and Headshot clocked in at 8 minutes. 😴

[@Eternalplay]

Yep. Orbital was almost as vapid as held

[@1c1pal]

Preach!

[@Hankhatesbooks]

Oh, you're so spectacularly mean about this book. The cringe is lush. I was charmed by the cringe.