Spence is already having a bad day when Clara Hart crashes into his car in the school parking lot – it’s the one-year anniversary of his mother’s death and he has slept in his car to avoid the inevitable sad and awkward conversations with his dad. His best friend Anthony is apparently too busy rating the girls to remember what day it is and has planned a party that night. Since it’s better than being at home with his Dad, Spence goes to the party but watches Clara get drunk, then go upstairs with Anthony. Then Clara dies.
But this is just the beginning. When Spence wakes up he’s back in his car in the school parking lot, Clara crashes into him and the day begins all over again. And then again, and again. Spence must work out what he’s got to do to save Clara and break the cycle.
It’s a great concept and the story had me hooked from the first page. It did sound a little similar to ‘Before I Fall’ but in this case the protagonist has to watch someone else die over and over again, and it’s a more sophisticated story.
Spence’s first scene with his friend Anthony sets the tone of the book, when Anthony cat-calls a girl in their year and then rates her to his friends. It’s a jarring, uncomfortable moment as Spence goes along with Anthony’s ‘banter’ and doesn’t call him out. But this perspective is what makes this book so brilliant and Spence’s voice is particularly authentic and compelling. Not only does he have to stand up to his friends, but he also needs to evaluate his own behaviour in the process. Fortunately it’s not a preachy book and the twists and turns of the plot keep up the pace.
‘The Eternal Return of Clara Hart’ is a thought-provoking and page-turning read about friendship and toxic masculinity and should be required reading for teenagers, particularly in light of the rape culture exposed in the ‘Everyone’s Invited’ campaign. Highly recommended.
Swimming in Books 