The Eternal Return of Clara Hart

The Eternal Return of Clara Hart

Louise Finch’s Carnegie shortlisted time-loop YA sensation ‘tackles sexual assault, toxic masculinity, and grief with precision and courage’ ( Kirkus starred review). Wake up. Friday. Clara Hart hits my car. Go to class. Anthony rates the girls. House party. Anthony goes upstairs with Clara. Drink. Clara dies. Wake up. Friday again. Clara Hart hits my car… Why can’t I break this loop? Spence and Anthony have been friends for years, but it’s only when he witnesses a classmate die in what looks like a tragic accident at a house party that a flicker in the fabric of time helps Spence ‘see’ Anthony for the first time. When Spence wakes up to the same day again and sees Clara, the girl who died, alive and well, it’s clear he’s been granted a second chance. And a third. And a fourth… Caught in a loop, condemned to experience the same 24 hours over and over, Spence tries to prevent the terrible events of the party. To break the spell, he has to re-evaluate everything he previously took for granted and find the courage to call out his own and others’ complicity in events that marked the life and death of Clara Hart. A  Kirkus  Best YA Book of the Year A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book "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 Louise grew up in a small town in the Midlands. After studying History of Art she worked for over a decade in the charity sector across women's and LGBT+ rights, and youth arts. She now lives in the South East of England with her photographer husband, their two small dogs and too many house plants, surrounded by books, craft supplies and vintage furniture. There’s a body at my feet again. The sky is pierced with stars and there’s glass littering the ground. Cold, damp air and leaves on the verge. Blood on the road, grit in her skin. My breath scratches my throat. My knuckles plug my mouth and I bite. What’s wrong with this day? Death’s strung through it like barbed wire – the one from a year ago, and this one now. Five is too many times to watch the same girl die. There’s a body at my feet and her eyes are closed, but not for long. A few more hours to go before she wakes up and we do this all over again. I’m sorry. I crouch. Smooth her hair. Lean in. Wake up, Clara. We’re in this together, you and me.