Literary · Science fiction
Orbital
Six astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station circle the Earth sixteen times in a single day. The book watches them, and the planet below, in lyrical detail.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2023
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 207
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a short, meditative novel with beautiful descriptions and little conventional plot.
Skip this if you want a plot-driven space story, because this is closer to a prose poem.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Orbital
- What is Orbital about?
- Six astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station circle the Earth sixteen times in a single day. The book watches them, and the planet below, in lyrical detail.
- Who should read Orbital?
- Read it if you want a short, meditative novel with beautiful descriptions and little conventional plot. Skip it if you want a plot-driven space story, because this is closer to a prose poem.
- How long and how fast is Orbital?
- It is a slow-paced, short read of about 207 pages, first published in 2023.
- Does Orbital have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Grief.
- Can I borrow Orbital for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Orbital; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Orbital?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Martian, Klara and the Sun, Sea of Tranquility.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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