The Safekeep - Yael van der Wouden

The Safekeep

By Yael van der Wouden

  • Release Date: 2024-05-28
  • Genre: Literary Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 106 Ratings

Description

* SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 BOOKER PRIZE *

Longlisted for the 2025 Aspen Words Literary Prize • A Best Book of 2024: The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Time, The Economist, The Globe and Mail (Toronto), Kirkus Reviews, The Independent, BookPage, The Sunday Times (London)

“Remarkable…Compelling…Fine and taut…Indelible.” —The New York Times • “Moving, unnerving, and deeply sexy.” —Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with the Pearl Earring • “A brilliant debut, as multi-faceted as a gem.” —Kirkus Reviews

A “razor-sharp, perfectly plotted” (The Sunday Times, London) tale of desire, suspicion, and obsession between two women staying in the same house in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961—a powerful exploration of the legacy of WWII and the darker parts of our collective past.

A house is a precious thing...

It is 1961 and the rural Dutch province of Overijssel is quiet. Bomb craters have been filled, buildings reconstructed, and the war is truly over. Living alone in her late mother’s country home, Isabel knows her life is as it should be—led by routine and discipline. But all is upended when her brother Louis brings his graceless new girlfriend Eva, leaving her at Isabel’s doorstep as a guest, to stay for the season.

Eva is Isabel’s antithesis: she sleeps late, walks loudly through the house, and touches things she shouldn’t. In response, Isabel develops a fury-fueled obsession, and when things start disappearing around the house—a spoon, a knife, a bowl—Isabel’s suspicions begin to spiral. In the sweltering peak of summer, Isabel’s paranoia gives way to infatuation, leading to a discovery that unravels all Isabel has ever known. The war might not be well and truly over after all, and neither Eva—nor the house in which they live—are what they seem.

Mysterious, sophisticated, sensual, and infused with intrigue, atmosphere, and sex, The Safekeep is “a brave and thrilling debut about facing up to the truth of history, and to one’s own desires” (The Guardian).

Reviews

  • Exquisite

    5
    By Jersey Shore Girl 1014
    My goodness what an absolutely beautiful treasure of a novel. The characters were all brilliantly drawn, the words like poetry and the plot was perfection from beginning to end. I cannot adequately describe, in words, how wonderful this novel is. Bravo.
  • Desire, Love, loss, Holland after the German Occupation

    5
    By spokemd
    The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden is a captivating and emotionally charged debut novel that explores themes of desire, obsession, and the lingering effects of war. Set in the rural Dutch province of Overijssel in 1961, the story revolves around Isabel, a solitary woman living in her late mother's country home, and Eva, her brother's new girlfriend who unexpectedly arrives to stay with Isabel. Gripping Character Dynamics Van der Wouden masterfully crafts the complex dynamic between Isabel and Eva, two contrasting personalities forced into close proximity. Isabel, rigid and obsessive, finds her routines and control over the household disrupted by Eva's carefree and disrespectful attitude towards the property[1][3]. This tension builds into an intense, almost obsessive fascination, leading Isabel to develop a fury-fueled desire for Eva[4]. Unexpected Twists and Revelations As the narrative progresses, the story takes an unexpected turn, revealing Eva's true motives and the haunting secrets of the house's past[1][3]. The final chapters, told from Eva's perspective through journal entries, provide crucial insights and a riveting climax that answers lingering questions[1]. Powerful Prose and Emotional Depth Van der Wouden's prose is rich and evocative, capturing the nuances of human relationships and the weight of historical trauma[3][4]. The novel's exploration of the aftermath of World War II and the lingering impact of the German occupation adds depth and poignancy to the emotional core of the story[4]. Conclusion The Safekeep is a haunting and beautifully crafted debut that immerses readers in a world of passion, obsession, and the complexities of human nature. Van der Wouden's ability to weave a compelling narrative, coupled with her nuanced character development and powerful prose, makes this novel a must-read for fans of literary fiction[1][3][4].