Solvej Balle continues her exploration of time and existence in the third volume of her acclaimed series, On the Calculation of Volume III. This installment delves deeper into the complexities of a time loop, as the protagonist, Tara Selter, grapples with her unique predicament of reliving the same day—18 November—repeatedly.
The concept of a time loop is not new, with roots tracing back to literature such as P.D. Ouspensky’s 1915 novel, Strange Life of Ivan Osokin. However, Balle’s approach diverges significantly from traditional narratives, particularly from the popular 1993 film Groundhog Day. While the film’s lead character, Phil Connors, seeks to escape his repetitive existence, Tara’s journey is marked by a profound acceptance of her situation.
Groundhog Day has influenced Balle’s work, as she explained that it “helped me with research by trying out some of the roads I did not want to take.” Her books, now totaling five with two more planned, have garnered significant acclaim in Denmark, with the first three volumes winning the prestigious Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2022. The English translation of this series has also attracted attention, with the first volume shortlisted for the 2025 International Booker Prize.
In this narrative, Tara, an antiquarian book dealer from a small town in France, faces the challenge of interacting with a world that resets each day. Unlike others who experience 18 November as if it were the first time, only Tara retains the memories of previous iterations. This unique perspective forces her to navigate a reality where some possessions persist while others vanish, and where she can influence the lives of those around her, even though they have no recollection of her actions.
The first volume introduces Tara’s relationship with her partner, Thomas. Frustrated and fatigued by the need to explain her situation anew each day, Tara eventually isolates herself, becoming almost spectral in her interactions. In the second volume, her yearning for a full experience of time leads her to traverse Europe, seeking the richness of seasonal changes while trapped in a single repeated day.
Volume III marks a turning point for Tara. With the introduction of Henry Dale, a Norwegian sociologist also ensnared in the loop, her solitude begins to shift. For 1,143 days, Tara’s journals served as her sole confidant, but now she finds a companion in Henry, albeit one who is not a friend in the traditional sense. Soon, they encounter another couple, creating a dynamic that forces them to confront their collective experiences and ethical dilemmas.
Their discussions revolve around the moral implications of foreknowledge. Should they intervene to prevent the accidents that occur repeatedly on 18 November, or should they seek to change the systems that lead to these events? The complexity of their shared existence challenges each character’s understanding of reason and morality.
Balle’s narrative style in Volume III is more expansive than its predecessors. It intertwines history and philosophy, enriching the reader’s experience while retaining the hypnotic quality that characterizes her writing. Despite Tara’s emotional detachment—demonstrated by her indifference to basic needs and the absence of humor—Balle introduces moments of levity that enhance the overall engagement of the story.
The author’s meticulous attention to detail allows her to craft a rich meditation on themes of love, loneliness, grief, and human consumption. With an emphasis on the mundane aspects of daily life, Balle raises questions about how individuals perceive the past and anticipate the future.
As the narrative unfolds, the day no longer solely belongs to Tara. It becomes a shared experience with Henry and their companions, extending its significance to the readers themselves. In contrast to the traditional time loop stories that focus on escape, Tara Selter learns that true understanding may lie in embracing her repetitive reality.
On the Calculation of Volume III, translated by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell, is published by Faber at a price of £12.99. This volume continues to captivate, urging readers to reflect on the nuances of time and the connections that define our shared existence.
