The Eternal Return of Clara Hart: Shortlisted for the 2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing

'Shows us the complexities of teenage gender relations without teaching or preaching.'

-- Mia Döring * Author of Any Girl *

'What a voice ... An amazing debut.'

-- Sue Wallman * Author of I Know You Did It *

'A real page-turner.'

-- Helena Close * Author of Things I Know *

"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 *

"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.”

-- Claire Hennessy * The Irish Times *

"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

"Bold and honest ... More than a fast-paced novel with visible, realistic and necessary character growth that helps the reader move closer to understanding, The Eternal Return Of Clara Hart is a reflection on real life."

* The National *

"This book is a riveting read that you will find hard to put down."

* The Scotsman *

"An incredible debut ... It's a rollercoaster, and you're left breathless merely watching from the outside."

* ReadingZone *

"An exceptional debut that can be enjoyed by anybody, but especially by teenage boys who can connect to Spence and his struggles."

* Paper Lanterns *

"Prepare to be blown away by this incredibly impressive debut."

* Paperback Snob *

"This has been my book of the year so far ... I am honestly speechless about how incredible this book is."

* Total Bibliophile *

"I adored every page of the novel, the characters are achingly real making all their actions more impactful and believable."

* The Paper Orange Charley *

"Compelling and relatable."

-- Shelly Mack Books

"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 *

"An impressive debut."

* Teaching English Magazine *

"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 *

"Compelling, well-written and devastating."

* ***** reader review, Emily May, Goodreads *

"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, Goodrea