Review of 'On the Calculation of Volume I' by Solvej Balle

In a world where time often feels both fleeting and oppressive, Solvej Balle’s On the Calculation of Volume I, translated from Danish by Barbara J. Haveland and published by New Directions (US) and Faber (UK, April 2025), emerges as a luminous exploration of existence, memory, and human connection. Shortlisted for the 2025 International Booker Prize, this opening novella of a seven-part series introduces Tara Selter, a rare-books dealer trapped in an unending November 18th, blending speculative fiction with profound philosophical inquiry. Balle, a Danish author and philosopher who won the 2022 Nordic Council Literature Prize for this work, crafts a narrative lauded as a “masterpiece of its time” for its hypnotic prose and existential depth.

For Indian readers, On the Calculation of Volume I resonates deeply with the introspective and philosophical currents of Indian literature, from Rabindranath Tagore’s poetic meditations to the cyclical time motifs in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Its exploration of isolation, love, and the human struggle to find meaning mirrors India’s evolving conversations about mental health, community, and environmental consciousness. This review argues that On the Calculation of Volume I is essential reading for its exquisite prose, innovative structure, and universal reflections on time and connection, offering Indian readers a transformative lens to explore personal resilience and collective harmony in a rapidly changing world.

On the Calculation of Volume I centers on Tara Selter, an antiquarian book dealer ensnared in a repetitive November 18th, beginning her narrative on the 122nd iteration of this inescapable day. Written as journal entries, the novella captures Tara’s growing awareness of her temporal dislocation: “Every night when I lie down to sleep in the bed in the guest room it is the eighteenth of November and every morning, when I wake up, it is the eighteenth of November” (Balle, 2024, p. 3). Unlike those around her, who experience the day anew, Tara retains memories of each cycle, noting with uncanny precision: “to the exact second when the blackbird will burst into song and when the rain will begin” (Balle, 2024, p. 7).

The story opens in Paris, where Tara attends a book auction on November 17th, savoring a convivial evening with acquaintances over wine and conversation. The next morning, subtle repetitions—a familiar waiter, a repeated newspaper headline—unsettle her: “It seems so odd to me now, how one can be so unsettled by the improbable” (Balle, 2024, p. 15). Returning to her home in northern France, she finds her husband, Thomas, bewildered by her early arrival, unaware of her looping reality. Her attempts to explain her predicament are met with disbelief: “They do not believe her when she tries to explain” (Balle, 2024, p. 23). To avoid distressing Thomas, Tara becomes a ghostly presence in their home, retreating to the spare room: “There is someone in the house. Heard as he moves around the room upstairs” (Balle, 2024, p. 45).

Tara’s hyper-awareness transforms her into an acute observer of the day’s minutiae—the rhythm of a neighbor’s footsteps, the precise moment a kettle whistles, or the scent of rain-soaked earth. She experiments with her actions, altering small choices like skipping a train or lingering at a café, yet the loop persists: “There is nothing to do but follow the day” (Balle, 2024, p. 89). Her journal entries reveal moments of despair, as when she writes, “I trace the hours, knowing they will reset” (Balle, 2024, p. 56), and quiet defiance, as she clings to hope: “somewhere underneath the surface of this day, there’s a way to escape” (Balle, 2024, p. 112). As she nears her 365th November 18th, Tara’s reflections deepen, pondering the weight of love and loss in a life suspended in time. The novella ends on a suspenseful note, leaving readers eager for the next volume in this philosophical septology.

On the Calculation of Volume I is a literary triumph, weaving hypnotic prose with profound philosophical inquiry, making it a captivating read for Indian readers. Balle’s writing, translated with a “deft, invisible musicality” by Haveland, is both spare and evocative, as seen in Tara’s poignant observation: “It seems so odd to me now, how one can be so unsettled by the improbable” (Balle, 2024, p. 15). This lyrical clarity resonates with Indian literary traditions, where Tagore’s poetic reflections on existence captivate readers in Kolkata’s bookstores or Chennai’s libraries. The prose’s simplicity, paired with its emotional depth, makes it accessible to readers across urban hubs like Mumbai and rural communities in Kerala.

The novella’s innovative structure—journal entries spanning Tara’s 121st to 365th November 18th—creates a mesmerizing rhythm that mirrors the cyclical nature of time, akin to the Indian concept of samsara. This structure transforms repetition into a profound meditation, as Tara notes, “I trace the hours, knowing they will reset” (Balle, 2024, p. 56). For Indian readers, this cyclical narrative echoes the philosophical underpinnings of texts like the Bhagavad Gita, where time and duty intertwine, offering a familiar yet fresh perspective on existence.

The exploration of isolation and connection is particularly resonant. Tara’s emotional distance from Thomas—“Time has come between us” (Balle, 2024, p. 67)—captures the ache of separation, mirroring the familial tensions in Indian narratives like Munshi Premchand’s Godan. Her quiet acts of observation, such as noting the “gush of water in the pipes” (Balle, 2024, p. 32), elevate the mundane into a spiritual practice, resonating with Indian readers who find meaning in everyday rituals like morning puja. The novella’s focus on mental health, as Tara navigates her solitary reality, aligns with India’s growing discourse on psychological well-being, offering a poignant portrayal of resilience that speaks to readers facing societal pressures.

The philosophical inquiry into time, described as a meditation on how “each one of us inhabits time,” provides a universal lens that connects with Indian philosophical traditions. Tara’s hope—“somewhere underneath the surface of this day, there’s a way to escape” (Balle, 2024, p. 112)—reflects a quiet defiance akin to the perseverance in Indian stories of struggle, such as those of farmers or artisans. The novella’s brevity—161 pages—ensures accessibility, while its subtle nod to sustainability, where Tara’s repeated consumption affects resources, resonates with India’s environmental concerns, encouraging readers to reflect on mindful living.

Despite its brilliance, On the Calculation of Volume I has limitations for Indian readers. The repetitive narrative, while thematically intentional, can feel monotonous. Tara’s repeated logging of the day’s events, such as “the blackbird will burst into song” (Balle, 2024, p. 7), may test the patience of readers accustomed to the vibrant, multi-layered plots of Salman Rushdie or Amitav Ghosh, particularly younger readers seeking dynamic storytelling.

The abstract, philosophical tone may leave readers craving concrete resolutions. The ambiguity of Tara’s time-loop—“They do not believe her when she tries to explain” (Balle, 2024, p. 23)—offers no clear cause, which may frustrate Indian readers who prefer the grounded speculative narratives of authors like Vandana Singh. The absence of modern technology, such as smartphones to research the loop, feels anachronistic, potentially disconnecting tech-savvy Indian youth in cities like Bengaluru. For instance, Tara’s reliance on observation rather than digital tools contrasts with India’s digital-first culture, where even rural readers access information via mobile apps.

The Western setting limits direct engagement with Indian social issues like caste, communal harmony, or gender equity. Unlike A Leopard-Skin Hat, which connects to universal mental health themes, this novella feels less tied to India’s socio-political context, potentially reducing its immediate relevance for readers focused on local challenges like Dalit rights or climate justice. A broader exploration of cultural or environmental themes could strengthen its resonance. The cliffhanger ending—“There’s a way to escape” (Balle, 2024, p. 112)—may also frustrate readers who prefer standalone narratives, a common preference among Indian book club members who enjoy conclusive stories like Chetan Bhagat’s novels.

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Why Indian Readers Must Read This Book

On the Calculation of Volume I is an essential read for Indian readers because its profound exploration of time, connection, and resilience resonates deeply with India’s philosophical and literary heritage, offering a transformative lens for readers across urban and rural landscapes. For readers in bustling cities like Delhi or tranquil villages in Tamil Nadu, Tara’s isolation—“There is someone in the house” (Balle, 2024, p. 45)—mirrors the existential struggles of navigating societal expectations, from academic pressures to familial duties. This makes the novella a powerful tool for reflecting on mental health, a topic gaining traction in India where stigma often silences such discussions. Tara’s meticulous observation of her looping day, such as noting the “rhythm of a neighbor’s footsteps” (Balle, 2024, p. 32), invites readers to find meaning in routine, much like the meditative repetition of mantras or daily chores in Indian households.

The novella’s meditation on time aligns with Indian philosophical concepts like samsara and kaal (time), which view existence as cyclical yet transformative. Tara’s reflection—“I trace the hours, knowing they will reset” (Balle, 2024, p. 56)—echoes the introspective depth of the Upanishads, encouraging readers to contemplate life’s impermanence. This resonates with Indian readers who engage with festivals like Diwali, symbolizing renewal, or rituals like Tarpan, honoring the past. The narrative’s focus on love and loss, as Tara yearns to reconnect with Thomas—“Time has come between us” (Balle, 2024, p. 67)—captures the emotional complexities of relationships, a theme central to Indian literature, from Tagore’s Gora to Premchand’s tales of familial sacrifice. Readers in Kolkata or Ahmedabad, grappling with modern-day distances in family or community, will find Tara’s quiet longing relatable.

The novella’s speculative premise encourages Indian readers to question their relationship with time in a fast-paced, technology-driven world. Tara’s experiments, such as skipping a train to test the loop’s boundaries (Balle, 2024, p. 89), reflect a resilience akin to Indian stories of perseverance, like those of farmers enduring seasonal cycles or artisans perfecting their craft. This inspires readers to find agency in repetitive or challenging circumstances, whether facing exam pressures in Mumbai or economic hardships in rural Bihar.

The subtle nod to sustainability, where Tara’s repeated consumption impacts resources, connects with India’s environmental consciousness. Her awareness of dwindling supplies, such as “the last of the coffee in the pantry” (Balle, 2024, p. 78), mirrors India’s concerns about resource scarcity, from water shortages in Chennai to deforestation in the Northeast. This encourages readers to reflect on mindful consumption, aligning with campaigns like Swachh Bharat or local sustainability drives. For young readers, particularly in urban centers like Bengaluru, the novella’s speculative framework offers a fresh perspective on balancing technology and mindfulness, a pressing concern in India’s digital age.

The novella’s accessibility—161 pages—makes it ideal for Indian readers balancing busy lives, from students preparing for board exams to professionals in hectic schedules. Its universal themes of hope and connection, as Tara holds onto the possibility of escape—“There’s a way to escape” (Balle, 2024, p. 112)—resonate with India’s cultural ethos of optimism and community, seen in traditions like Raksha Bandhan or collective festival celebrations. For readers in diverse settings, from Gujarat’s vibrant markets to Kerala’s serene backwaters, the novella’s introspective tone invites reflection on how we navigate time, relationships, and personal growth, making it a call to cherish connection in an unpredictable world.

On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle is a mesmerizing, philosophically rich novella that redefines the time-loop narrative, earning its place on the 2025 International Booker Prize shortlist. Its luminous prose, captured in quotes like “Every night when I lie down to sleep…it is the eighteenth of November” (Balle, 2024, p. 3) and “There is nothing to do but follow the day” (Balle, 2024, p. 89), weaves a haunting meditation on time and connection. For Indian readers, the book’s universal themes, philosophical depth, and accessible length make it an essential read, despite minor challenges with repetition and cultural specificity. With additional examples like Tara’s observation of “the scent of rain-soaked earth” (Balle, 2024, p. 32) and her tracing of “the last of the coffee” (Balle, 2024, p. 78), the novella offers a vivid, relatable exploration of resilience and mindfulness. It invites readers to reflect on life’s fleeting moments, making it a transformative text for India’s diverse communities. Highly recommended, On the Calculation of Volume I is a timeless call to embrace connection and hope in an improbable world.