On the Calculation of Volume Book II by Solvej Balle, continues the introspective journey of Tara Selter, a woman trapped in an endless loop of November 18th. While the first book focused on Tara’s efforts to unravel the mystery of her temporal stasis, the second delves deeper into her emotional and intellectual response to this strange fate. Now, one year into her predicament, Tara is no longer actively seeking answers but is instead consumed by a profound sense of listlessness. With no pattern to her days and no changing seasons to ground her, Tara sets out on a sensory quest across Europe, trying to capture the experiences of winter, summer, and spring that have been denied to her.
The book shifts away from external action and focuses on Tara’s internal landscape. She visits familiar places, like her family in Belgium, and seeks sensations in countries like Norway, France, and England, but she is still trapped in the same day. Her travels, in a way, highlight how much our sense of identity and well-being is tied to sensory experiences and the passage of time. Tara’s longing for the distinct experiences of each season is a powerful exploration of how time’s flow is essential to understanding who we are.
Balle’s lyrical writing, coupled with Haveland’s thoughtful translation, captures both Tara’s intellectual musings and her existential restlessness. The ancient Roman coin Tara carries becomes a poignant symbol of history, boundaries, and mortality, and her journey feels like a meditation on the nature of existence itself. The cliffhanger ending suggests that the series will intensify, but in this volume, the plot takes a backseat to deeper reflections on memory, place, and sensory experience. For readers who enjoy speculative fiction with an emphasis on character and philosophical inquiry, On the Calculation of Volume Book II is a fascinating, contemplative read.
