1 / 2On the Calculation of Volume I by Faber Fiction
Faber Fiction: On the Calculation of Volume I is a literary novel about Tara Selter, who wakes each morning to the same 18 November. Its 192-page story explores repetition, memory and the possibility of escaping a day that everyone else experiences only once.
At a glance
- Follows Tara Selter as she repeatedly wakes on 18 November, while people around her remember each day only once.
- The listing describes this as the first volume of the series.
- The listing says the book won the 2022 Nordic Council Literature Prize and was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025.
Reference price: $29.99
Price checked: 12 Nov 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionOften bought together
Pros and cons
Pros
- A compact 192-page length suits readers looking for a shorter literary novel.
- The repeating-day premise gives the story a distinctive focus on memory, time and repetition.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Faber Fiction |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 8 April 2025 |
| Edition | Main |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 192 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0571383378 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-13 | 978-0571383375 |
| Dimensions | 13.59 x 0.86 x 21.59 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 214 g |
What to know before buying
- Customer reactions indicate that the repeated-day structure is divisive. Some find each repetition thought-provoking, while others find the book difficult to read or too repetitive. The publisher describes the book as the first volume, so this is not presented as a standalone conclusion.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in literary fiction built around time, memory and an unusual repeating-day premise.
- Readers open to repetition and a story whose emotional impact may be unsettling.
Less suited to
- Readers who prefer straightforward, fast-moving plots or dislike stories that revisit the same day.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
28% 28% - 4 stars
35% 35% - 3 stars
23% 23% - 2 stars
9% 9% - 1 star
5% 5%
Customer feedback praises the writing as beautiful and the story as absorbing, original and thought-provoking. Other reactions are mixed: some readers find it easy to engage with, while others describe it as difficult to get through, disturbing or repetitive. The mixed response is relevant to the novel's central device, which repeatedly returns to the same date. Aggregate ratings are also spread across the scale, so they do not suggest an unambiguously favourable reception.
Positive themes
- Customers describe the writing as beautiful and the story as absorbing.
- Feedback highlights originality and a thought-provoking quality.
Mixed feedback
- Readability and emotional impact draw mixed reactions.
- Some readers appreciate discoveries in each repetition, while others find the story repetitive or feel little happens.
Frequently asked questions
What is On the Calculation of Volume I about?
Tara Selter wakes each morning to 18 November and learns the details of a day that repeats for her, while others experience it only once.
Is this a standalone book?
The listing identifies it as the first volume. It does not establish that the story concludes in this volume.
How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 192 pages.
What language is this edition in?
The listed language is English.
Alternative options
On the Calculation of Volume IV: 'Unquestionably one of the greatest works of 21st century literature so far.' Herald
$24.99
On the Calculation of Volume V: 'Our century's answer to Proust' New York Times
$23.99
Perfection
$29.00
Under the Eye of the Big Bird: Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025
$21.75
Queen's Move (Decode Me Book 1)
$6.68
Full Circle
$18.00
The Tuesday Post Club: A Senior Sleuths Cozy Mystery of a Retired Postmistress, a Country Manor, and Four Friends Nobody Expects (The Larkspur House Mysteries Book 1)
$8.99
The Register of Room Nine: A Gothic Mystery
$16.00
The Museum of Modern Love
$18.99
Hellfire Trail
$25.08
The Complete Grimms' Fairy Tales: Deluxe Hardbound Edition
$29.75
