Reader's Choice: Books Set in Outer Space
Your options: 'Orbital' by Samantha Harvey, 'Foundation' by Isaac Asimov and 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons
Let’s go to space! When I was looking through my TBR to figure out this month’s theme, I realized I had several novels set in Earth’s orbit and beyond. Two are science-fiction, of course, and the other is a recent Booker Prize winner. Which one should I review first? Remember to scroll down and vote!
‘Orbital’ by Samantha Harvey
Donna and I went to McNally Jackson in March to see Samantha Harvey, author of 2024 Booker Prize-winning novel ‘Orbital,’ speak with book reviewer and newsletter legend
. I had heard good things about ‘Orbital,’ but my main interest was to hear Young, and glean insights about analyzing and discussing books. Young did not disappoint; her questions were insightful and sharp. They made me more curious about ‘Orbital,’ but not enough to buy the book that night (I used my $5 voucher McNally distributes at these events to buy an Iris Murdoch novel). But later, the book kept popping up wherever I went. The first book club I ever attended made it a monthly selection. I saw people reading it on the train. It also was on display at my local bookstore, Lofty Pigeon Books, where I finally broke down and bought it, like:
‘Orbital’ follows six men and women who are on a space station above Earth. ‘Selected for one of the last space station missions of its kind before the program is dismantled, these astronauts and cosmonauts—from America, Russia, Italy, Britain, and Japan—have left their lives behind to travel at a speed of over seventeen thousand miles an hour as the earth reels below,’ the back-cover blurb reads. ‘Profound and contemplative, Orbital is a moving elegy to our environment and planet.’ Sounds like it could be interesting!
‘Foundation’ by Isaac Asimov
Our friend Heather in late 2023 took us to this wonderful place called Dark Carnival Bookstore in Berkeley, Calif. It’s a maze-like shop packed to the gills with sci-fi, fantasy, mystery and other eclectic novels. It was genre heaven! I vowed to search every nook and cranny, like:
Some of you may remember that when I’m traveling, I look for smaller books that easily can fit into my luggage. This pocket-sized copy of Isaac Asimov’s sci-fi classic ‘Foundation’ was perfect (despite the Apple TV+ promo). ‘Foundation’ is a series-starting book I’ve long wanted to read. As I was writing this newsletter, I learned the ‘Foundation’ novels won a 1966 Hugo Award for Best All-Time Series, beating out ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ WOW! Here’s what it’s about. ‘For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying,’ reads the back-cover blurb. ‘To preserve knowledge and save humanity, [Hari] Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire—both scientists and scholars—and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for future generations. He calls the sanctuary the Foundation.’ So far so good! It continues: ‘But soon the fledgling Foundation finds itself at the mercy of corrupt warlords rising in the wake of the receding Empire. And mankind’s last best hope is faced with an agonizing choice: Submit to the barbarians and live as slaves—or take a stand for freedom and risk total destruction.’ This sounds like a fun read!
‘Hyperion’ by Dan Simmons
I knew nothing about this novel when it caught my eye during a lunch-break visit to McNally Jackson, where I saw it on the staff recommendations display. I just really liked the cover design, like:
But like ‘Orbital,’ I didn’t buy it right away. I waited until I saw the 1990 Hugo Award-winning novel again, also at Lofty Pigeon. ‘On the world called Hyperion, beyond the reach of galactic law, waits a creature called the Shrike,’ begins the blurb on the back. ‘There are those who worship it. There are those who fear it. And there are those who have vowed to destroy it. In the valley of the Time Tombs, where huge, brooding structures move backward through time, the Shrike waits for them all.’ Hmmm, OK. The whole going backward in time thing reminds me of ‘Tenet,’ an excellent movie. ‘On the eve of Armageddon, with the entire galaxy at war, seven pilgrims set forth on a final voyage to Hyperion seeking the answers to the unsolved riddles of their lives. Each carries a desperate hope—and a terrible secret. And one may hold the fate of humanity in his hands.’ This also sounds like a good time!
Books on GIF does not solicit or accept review copies. We feature books we purchase at independent bookstores around New York City and on our travels, or were borrowed electronically from the Brooklyn Public Library.
Thanks for reading, and thanks especially to Donna for editing this newsletter!
Until next time,
Mike
Wow, a cover design for Hyperion that isn't the worst book cover since the previous one for Hyperion. What is it about that book that makes illustrators and book designers crap out so badly? Google it and you'll see what I mean. This one is really nice- finally, I can buy it without spray painting the cover entirely black.