Book description
Tara Selter’s epic journey through November 18th continues in Book II of the masterly On the Calculation of Volume from one of Scandinavia’s most beloved writers. A WASHINGTON POST NOTABLE BOOK OF 2024 The first year of November eighteenth is coming to a close, and Tara Selter has returned to her hotel room in Paris, the place where it all began. As if perched at the edge of a precipice, she readies herself to leap into November nineteenth. Book II of Solvej Balle’s astounding seven-part series On the Calculation of Volume beautifully expands on the speculative premise of Book I, drawing us further into the maze of time, where space yawns open, as if suddenly gaining a new dimension, extending into ever more fined-grained textures. Within this new reality, our senses and the tactility of things grows heightened: sounds, smells, sights, objects come suddenly alive, as if the world had begun whispering to us in a new language. And yet as the world announces itself anew, Tara’s own sense of self is eroding, making her wonder just which bits of her are really left intact? “It is the Tara Selter with hopes and dreams who has fallen out of the picture, been thrown off the world, run over the edge, been poured out, carried off down the stream of eighteenths of November, lost, evaporated, swept out to sea.” She begins to think of herself as a relic of the past, as something or someone leftover, similar to the little Roman coin she carries around in her pocket, without a purpose or a place. Desperate to recover a sense of herself within time, Tara decides to head north by train in search of winter, but soon she turns south in pursuit of spring, as she tries to grasp on to durational time through seasonal variations. Amazingly, On the Calculation of Volume Book II is all movement and motion — taking us through the European countries of the North and the South, through seasons, and languages — a beautiful travelogue that is also a love letter to our vanishing world. To be continued.Review"A total explosion; Solvej Balle has blown through to a new dimension of literary exploration." Nicole KraussReview"What the best novels can do is open up spaces. And she has opened a space in time, and it is absolutely, absolutely incredible. I think it’s a fantastic book." Karl Ove KnausgårdReview"Existential questions about the core and functioning of human relationships are raised here in a virtuosic and seemingly incidental manner. On the Calculation of Volume is a dazzling, poetic, tremendously multi-layered novel. Temporal anomalies and great literature have never been so successfully combined. Fascinating, extraordinary." Horazio (Germany)About the AuthorSolvej Balle was born in 1962, made her debut in 1986 with Lyrefugl, and she went on to write one of the 1990s’ most acclaimed works of Danish literature, According to the Law: Four Accounts of Mankind (praised by Publishers Weekly for its blend of “sly humor, bleak vision, and terrified sense of the absurd with a tacit intuition that the world has a meaning not yet fathomed”). Since then, she’s published a book on art theory, Det umuliges kunst, 2005, a political memoir Frydendal og andre gidsler, 2008, and two books of short prose Hvis and Så, published simultaneously in 2013. On the Calculation of Volume is Solvej Balle’s major comeback, not just to Danish or Nordic fiction, but — expanding the possibilities of the novel — to all of world literature. Barbara J. Haveland (born 1951) is a Scottish literary translator, resident in Copenhagen. She translates fiction, poetry and drama from Danish and Norwegian to English. She has translated works by many leading Danish and Norwegian writers, both classic and contemporary, including Henrik Ibsen, Peter Høeg, Linn Ullmann and Carl Frode Tiller.
AxelRoad
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊
Honey
ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
Red Pepper
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Shimmy Shammy
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. 📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
Lady In Red
I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Fennel Dove
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
New York Winder
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Day Hawk
ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
WonderWords
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers!
Acid Gosling
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Demand Chopper
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session.
Blistered Outlaw
I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. 📖🔊 The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Knock Out Star
💡 Balancing learning and living effortlessly – audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! 🎧💫 The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Admiral Tot
💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖 Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. 📱📖 ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars! This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Bad Badminton
💪 Crushing workouts while devouring books – this app makes fitness fun and educational! 🏋️♀️🎉 Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Tunez
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats – it truly supports all my audio needs. 📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱 Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing.
Feline Devil
ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Jetta Talent
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Lady Q
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again – it's a must-have app. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! 👀📚 Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier – this app's soothing voices 😴🎧 Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊
Firedog
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. 🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience