On the Calculation of Volume I

On the Calculation of Volume, Book 1

By: Solvej Balle, Barbara J. Haveland - translator

Narrated by: Elizabeth Liang

It seems so odd to me now, how one can be so unsettled by the improbable. When we know that our entire existence is founded on freak occurrences and improbable coincidences. That we wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for these curious twists of fate.

Tara Selter has slipped out of time.

Every morning, she wakes up to the 18th of November. She no longer expects to wake up to the 19th of November, and she no longer remembers the 17th of November as if it were yesterday.

She comes to know the shape of the day like the back of her hand—the grey morning light in her Paris hotel; the moment a blackbird breaks into song; her husband's surprise at seeing her return home unannounced. But for everyone around her, this day is lived for the first and only time. They do not remember the other 18ths of November, and they do not believe her when she tries to explain.

As Tara approaches her 365th 18th of November, she can't shake the feeling that somewhere underneath the surface of this day, there's a way to escape.

©2025 Solvej Balle (P)2025 Faber & Faber

Terrific

Gripping. Such a feat. Can feel the claustrophobia Balle creates in a tight, small world.

Narration good too. Though wished the pace was just slightly slower in parts.

(Turning the speed down to 0.7 wouldn't work as then the words stretch unnaturally. That said, the effect was interesting for the combination of a slow text semi raced through)