Nine To Noon Book review: On the Calculation of Volume by Solvej Balle
Jul 6, 2025
Dive into a thought-provoking narrative that weaves time loops with the struggles of an antiquarian book dealer. The protagonist, Tara Sauter, grapples with the complexities of love and repetition as she navigates a day stuck in a loop. With psychological depth, the story explores her tumultuous relationship with her husband, Thomas. This unique blend of philosophical reflections and domestic intrigue invites listeners to ponder the mysteries of time and the quest for personal freedom.
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Unique Time Loop Narrative
- Solvay Balle's novel uses a unique take on the time loop trope focusing on an intense, insular experience of repeated days.
- The protagonist experiences subtle time inconsistencies, blending reality and memory in her looped day.
Strain of Explaining Time Loop
- The protagonist must repeatedly explain the time loop to her husband, causing emotional strain.
- She eventually hides in a guest room, unwilling to retell her harrowing experience constantly.
Hypnotic Sensory Reading Style
- The novel evokes a hypnotic, oral-like reading experience that heightens the awareness of one's surroundings.
- This intensifies the emotional and sensory immersion into the protagonist's confined world.
