1. Which countries are represented by the astronauts and cosmonauts?

2. Who experiences the loss of a loved one during their time in space?

3. Time takes on a different meaning in space. How much time passes in the novel?

4. Which natural event on Earth becomes a recurring source of concern for the crew?

5. How do the different countries try to maintain separation between nationalities within the station?

Card 1/8 - Personal connections?

1. After learning that her mother has died, Chie chooses to allow the funeral ceremony to take place without her. Why do you think she makes this decision? If you were in a similar situation, what factors or personal values would influence your choice?

Card 2/8 - Personal connections?

2. Throughout Orbital, Harvey describes several physical effects that living in space has on the human body, such as changes caused by weightlessness, for example. What are some of these effects? Do you think you would be willing to accept these physical sacrifices in order to experience life in space? Explain your answer.

Card 3/8 - Personal connections?

3. Read the quote from the introduction. Pietro is asked by his daughter if ‘progress is beautiful’ and she is critical of his initial answer. Which distinction does Pietro make in response? How do you see ‘progress’ and should we always endeavour to pursue it?

Card 4/8 - Personal connections?

4. The novel describes the ‘sounds of Earth’ recorded on the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft, which were sent into space to represent humanity to possible intelligent life. What does this detail suggest about which country launched these missions? What kinds of sounds, images, or information do you think would be most important to include in a message meant for extraterrestrial life, and why?

Card 5/8 - Personal connections?

5. Nell’s pursuit to become an astronaut was not triggered by the moon landing but by the space shuttle Challenger. Why might this choice seem unexpected or unusual? Has fear ever motivated you to try even harder or can you imagine how fear can be a motivator to reach new goals?

Card 6/8 - Personal connections?

6. Anton discovers a lump in his neck but chooses not to tell the other astronauts or the assigned doctor. Why do you think he makes this decision? If you were in his situation, would you act the same way or differently? Explain your reasoning.

Card 7/8 - Personal connections?

7. In the novel, life aboard the space station is often described in terms of what is missing compared to life on Earth. Think of two key aspects of Earthly life that are absent in space. Include a quotation from the novel for each example to support your answer. Then reflect: do you think being human is tied to living on Earth, or can humanity exist equally well in space? Explain your view.

Card 8/8 - Personal connections?

8. The novel often focuses on silence and observation rather than action. How did this style affect your reading experience? Did you find this calming, meaningful, frustrating, or something else? Explain your response.

Personal connections?

That was the last card!

Card 1/8 - Food for thought?

1.Roman frequently tries to contact people on Earth using packet radio. Why do you think he does this? What does the novel suggest about his character through these actions? Use evidence from the text in your answer.

Card 2/8 - Food for thought?

2. The narrative perspective in the novel shifts between different characters. What effect does this have on the reader’s understanding of the story and its themes? Include at least one example or passage from the novel to support your answer.

Card 3/8 - Food for thought?

3. In a discussion about the subject of Velázquez’s painting Las Meninas, Pietro says to Shaun: ‘it’s the dog,’ which is something Shaun had never even considered. What might this suggest about how perspective influences understanding? It might be helpful to first look up the painting to give your discussion further depth. Explain your ideas.

Card 4/8 - Food for thought?

4. Chie creates several lists during the novel, of irritating things, reassuring things, surprising things and finally of anticipated things. How do these contribute to her characterisation?

Card 5/8 - Food for thought?

5. In the novel, a destructive typhoon is presented more as a background event than a central focus. How does this distance shape the reader’s experience? Explain your answer.

Card 6/8 - Food for thought?

6. The novel pays very little attention to its characters or their development. They merely serve as a framework for the broader perspective of the story. How does this limited focus on individual humans relate to the novel’s perspective from outer space?

Card 7/8 - Food for thought?

7. Would you classify Orbital more as a science fiction novel or a realist novel? Give at least two reasons to support each interpretation, using examples from the text.

Card 8/8 - Food for thought?

8. How might the novel change if there were more conflict and tension between the characters? Would this make the story more engaging for you? What might be gained, and what might be lost, if the novel focused more on conflict? Include at least one specific example.

Food for thought?

That was the last card!