"Debut author Finch tackles sexual assault, toxic masculinity, and grief with precision and courage ...A devastating, essential journey." – Kirkus Reviews starred review
"The Eternal Return of Clara Hart is an intelligent novel about grief, sexual violence, and the impact of personal accountability." – Foreword Reviews
"If I had my way this fast-paced, thought-provoking and gorgeously crafted book would be required reading in every secondary school. A timely and important story." – Aislinn O'Loughlin, author of Big Bad Me
'A real page-turner.' – Helena Close, author of Things I Know
"Exceptional ... a careful, thoughtful, compulsively readable examination of toxic masculinity and normalised sexual abuse." – The Guardian
“This novel is a reminder of how fiction can be an ideal space for exploring philosophical questions … I am glad this superb book exists.” – The Irish Times
"This book is a riveting read that you will find hard to put down." – The Scotsman
“An exceptional debut that can be enjoyed by anybody, but especially by teenage boys who can connect to Spence and his struggles.” – Paper Lanterns
"An incredible debut ... It's a rollercoaster, and you're left breathless merely watching from the outside." – ReadingZone
“Prepare to be blown away by this incredibly impressive debut.” – Paperback Snob
“An excellent twist on the time-loop trope. It is a gripping, heart-wrenching and eye-opening story that I cannot recommend enough.” – Lois Reads Books
“Compelling and relatable.” – Shelly Mack Books
“I adored every page of the novel, the characters are achingly real making all their actions more impactful and believable.” – The Paper Orange Charley
“This has been my book of the year so far … I am honestly speechless about how incredible this book is.” – Total Bibliophile
"The Eternal Return of Clara Hart was absolutely addictive! I stayed up way too late to finish it because I had to know what happened to Spence. This is a great time loop story, but it's much more than that and covers deep, dark issues like death, assault, male toxicity and more." – ***** reader review, NetGalley Librarian
“I absolutely loved reading this book.” – ***** reader review, Goodreads
“A fantastic debut.” – ***** reader review, Goodreads
“Incredibly readable.” – ***** reader review, Goodreads
“It is so powerful and just such an engaging read. Every teen should read this book.” – ***** reader review, Goodreads
★ 2023-03-29
Debut author Finch tackles sexual assault, toxic masculinity, and grief with precision and courage.
James “Spence” Spencer lives in a small English town where he plays rugby with best friends Anthony Mansbridge and Gary “Worm” Worley. Anthony’s constant harassment of women and immense wealth situate him as the respected leader of the group. At a party, Anthony sexually assaults artsy classmate Clara Hart, who flees into the night, drunk and on foot, and is hit by a car and killed. The next day, Spence wakes up to find it is the previous morning; he is stuck in a time loop. As Spence begins each morning desperate to control the events of the coming day and save Clara, he also grapples with its being the first anniversary of his mother’s death. The book’s structure is perfectly paced with superb attention to detail as each day unfolds differently. Reliving events also allows Spence to grow in his own awareness of the impact of Anthony’s devastating behavior while giving space and value to Clara’s and other young women’s stories, showcasing Finch’s strong character development. Some dark humor lightens the heavy mood, but the sexism and misogyny are revisited relentlessly, fully implicating this group of boys who have made countless decisions every day to disrespect the girls in their lives. The centering of a male narrator grappling with grief makes this story required reading, shining a light on patriarchal norms all young men deal with. Major characters read White.
A devastating, essential journey. (Fiction. 14-18)
