Solvej Balle’s latest installment, On the Calculation of Volume III, continues to captivate readers with its unique exploration of time loops, a concept popularized by films like Groundhog Day. While that 1993 classic centers on a protagonist seeking escape from a repetitive day, Balle takes a different approach in her series. Her work delves into the psychological and philosophical implications of living the same day, 18 November, repeatedly.
Balle has been developing this concept for decades, beginning her exploration years before the release of Groundhog Day. She acknowledges the film as a source of inspiration, stating that it “helped me with research by trying out some of the roads I did not want to take.” The series has achieved significant acclaim in her native Denmark, with the first three volumes collectively winning the 2022 Nordic Council Literature prize, one of the highest literary honors in Scandinavia.
In Volume III, Tara Selter, the protagonist and an antiquarian book dealer from a small town in France, encounters a breakthrough in her time loop. For the first time in her experience of 1,143 days, she meets Henry Dale, a Norwegian sociologist also trapped in the same day. This pivotal moment introduces a new dynamic to Tara’s journey, as she finds companionship in her predicament.
As the narrative unfolds, Tara and Henry connect with another couple sharing their experience. Together, they grapple with ethical dilemmas: Should they intervene in the events of 18 November to prevent recurring disasters, or focus on understanding the patterns of their existence? Their discussions reveal varied perspectives on responsibility and the nature of their entrapment.
This volume diverges from its predecessors, incorporating a richer historical and philosophical context. Balle’s storytelling is more expansive, allowing readers to explore deeper themes while maintaining the hypnotic quality that defines the series. While Tara remains a somewhat disembodied character, her interactions begin to evoke more human emotion, adding complexity to her character.
Balle’s prose continues to engage, with moments of humor interspersed throughout the narrative. She masterfully intertwines profound meditations on themes of love, grief, and the mundanity of daily life. The hypnotic quality of the repeated day is transformed into a canvas for exploring what it means to be human in a loop of time.
By the third volume, 18 November evolves from being solely Tara’s day to a shared experience among her companions and the readers. Unlike the protagonists in Groundhog Day and PD Ouspensky’s Strange Life of Ivan Osokin, who seek a key to unlock time and find freedom, Tara Selter comes to accept her situation. She realizes that the lessons learned through her repeated experiences accumulate into a lifetime of their own.
On the Calculation of Volume III, translated by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell, is now available from Faber at a retail price of £12.99. For those interested in exploring this profound narrative, copies can be purchased through various booksellers, including the Guardian Bookshop.
