A Journey Through Time: A Review of On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle
When I first encountered On the Calculation of Volume I, awarded the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2022 and now shortlisted for the 2025 International Booker Prize, I was captivated by its premise alone: a protagonist stuck in a temporal loop reminiscent of Groundhog Day. But as I dove into the pages, penned by Solvej Balle and beautifully translated by Barbara J. Haveland, I discovered a wealth of profound exploration about existence, love, and the ties that bind us.
The novel opens with the voice of Tara Selter, who finds herself reliving the mysterious 18th of November repeatedly. She lives with her husband Thomas in a quaint stone cottage in Clairon-sous-Bois, navigating life as antiquarian bookdealers. Tara’s detailed journal entries, documenting her experience over the first year and a day of this bizarre phenomenon, offer a unique blend of humor and introspection. Tara’s voice immediately pulls you in; her observations of daily life, the intricacies of book dealing, and her existential musings create a rich tapestry of thought that stirred something within me as a reader.
What struck me most was Balle’s exquisite prose. Each sentence is crafted with such insight and depth that it lingers on the mind long after reading. I found myself savoring moments, like when Tara notes, “I concentrated it, intensified that pale-gray awakening,” where the mundane transforms into the extraordinary. Such reflections resonate with the essence of the human experience—finding beauty and meaning amidst repetition and confusion.
The themes of love and connection permeate every page. Tara’s relationship with Thomas evolves as they face the surreal nature of her predicament. Their attempts to understand and cope with this fractured reality make them relatable and add emotional heft to the narrative. I couldn’t help but be moved by their struggle to reconcile their lives with this strange new rhythm of existence.
While Balle’s work may frustrate those seeking straightforward resolutions or sci-fi explanations, it invites readers to ponder more philosophical questions about the nature of time and memory. The judges aptly noted that the book transforms a familiar narrative trope into "a profound meditation on… what it means to exist." I appreciated how the novel encouraged me to reflect on my own perceptions of time and memory, making it more than just a story—it became a shared experience between writer and reader.
As I reached the end of Volume I, I felt an urgent desire to dive straight into the second volume (to be released alongside this one in April 2025). Though this installment may feel like part of a larger narrative, it stands firmly on its own, providing a tantalizing glimpse into Tara’s life and the broader implications of her situation.
I would highly recommend On the Calculation of Volume I to readers who enjoy literary fiction that delves into the intricacies of existence, love, and human connection. It captivates with its lyrical writing and thought-provoking ideas that will linger well beyond the final page. For me, this book not only captured my imagination but also invoked a profound contemplation about the days we live and how we share them with others—a reminder that even in our routines, we can find echoes of joy, discovery, and, ultimately, meaning.
Discover more about On the Calculation of Volume I on GoodReads >>