Life on our planet as you've never seen it before 'A slim, profound study of intimate human fears set against epic vistas' GUARDIAN 'Stunning... An uplifting book' SUNDAY TIMES A team of astronauts in the International Space Station collect meteorological data, conduct scientific experiments and test the limits of the human body. But mostly they observe. Together they watch their silent blue planet, circling it sixteen times, spinning past continents and cycling through seasons, taking in glaciers and deserts, the peaks of mountains and the swells of oceans. Endless shows of spectacular beauty witnessed in a single day. Yet although separated from the world they cannot escape its constant pull. News reaches them of the death of a mother, and with it comes thoughts of returning home. They look on as a typhoon gathers over an island and people they love, in awe of its magnificence and fearful of its destruction. The fragility of human life fills their conversations, their fears, their dreams. So far from earth, they have never felt more part - or protective - of it. They begin to ask, what is life without earth? What is earth without humanity?
Samantha Harvey
Samantha Harvey is a British novelist and academic known for her introspective and emotionally resonant writing style. She has authored several critically acclaimed works, including "The Wilderness," "All Is Song," and "Dear Thief." Harvey's novels often explore themes of memory, loss, and identity with a keen focus on the intricacies of human relationships. Her works have been praised for their lyrical prose and deep psychological insight. Harvey's impact on the literary genre lies in her ability to create complex and nuanced characters that resonate with readers on a profound level. Her most famous work, "The Wilderness," was shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction and the Man Booker Prize, solidifying Harvey's reputation as a leading voice in contemporary literature.