The Safekeep Audiobook By Yael van der Wouden cover art

The Safekeep

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The Safekeep

By: Yael van der Wouden
Narrated by: Stina Nielsen, Saskia Maarleveld
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* SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 BOOKER PRIZE *
* WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION *
* WINNER OF THE 2025 WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION *

Shortlisted for the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize and 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). Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Jewish Lambda Literary Award Literary Fiction World Literature Heartfelt

Critic reviews

"Nielsen creates a pervasive sense of disquiet that will keep listeners off-balance until the final moments...Nielsen excels at conveying Isabel's fragility and Eva's enigmatic persona, making listeners question each woman's motives. In a brief appearance, Saskia Maarleveld narrates Eva's diary entries with barely suppressed rage. This slow-burn work of historical fiction packs a powerful punch."
Beautiful Writing • Compelling Plot • Outstanding Narration • Unexpected Twist • Unique Perspective • Poetic Details

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This started very promisingly and I thought it would bee sort of brooding-secret-sinister, in an Ian McEwan way. But then, interminable. Embarrassing, tedious “sexual awakening” scenes.
I set it aside for a bit but restarted , discovering an interesting second half,,, for a while, then back to tangled hands in shirts, bla bla bone and flesh…. zzzzzz

Good Start, Good Pt 2, Tedious In Between

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Beautiful story. The brothers’ characters were not well developed and rather one dimensional. But the two women were complex and striking.

Compelling tale of loss and safe haven

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A beautiful, painful story. I hope the author continues writing novels. This was an excellent achievement.

Riveting & so poignant

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loved it all, very tender, very honest. I just kept rooting for Isa and Eva.

love

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Excellent narration. Story was easy to follow. Beautiful writing. Story was sad but also joyful.

The narration.

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