The Safekeep

De: Yael van der Wouden

Narrado por: Stina Nielsen, Saskia Maarleveld

Longlisted for the Booker Prize | “Remarkable…Compelling…Fine and taut…Indelible” —The New York Times • “Mesmerizing and shockingly good…I was utterly blown away.” —Miranda Cowley Heller, author of The Paper Palace • “A brilliant debut, as multifaceted as a gem.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) • “Moving, unnerving, and deeply sexy.” —Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with the Pearl Earring • “Fans of Patricia Highsmith and Ottessa Moshfegh’s Eileen will find much to admire here.”—Vulture

An exhilarating, twisted 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 brilliantly plotted and provocative debut novel you won’t soon forget.

©2024 Yael van der Wouden (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Storytelling

Slow reveal. Goosebumps. Something not quite right but What/Who is it and Why. Excellent.

It’s all about perspective….

.., history shapes current life whether we realize it, or have a way to know it, or not.

Story line

I didn’t like how the narrator transitioned from one subject to next. The tone of her voice did not change.

Excellent

Every word is compelling! We should all understand this history…the surprises among the characters are well developed

Awesome Read

Complex plot and themes, very well written, one of the best books I’ve read recently. Highly recommend if a reader stays with it to the end.

Wow! This is a wonderful listen!

This book is beautifully written with a taut, intense plot on top cooking hot and a bread-crumb tra subplot happening underneath. In the end, it all surfaces and the reader is faced with a whole host of intense feelings. I loved it.

Great book!

Terrific story!Complex, gripping, struggles with etetnal truths. Best book I have read in a very long time!

Great story and excellent historical perspective

But, as other reviewers have said, I could have done without the explicit sex scenes, just unnecessary in the character development and honestly boring. However, I appreciated learning more about the experience of the Dutch Jews during the holocaust. I thought I had heard it all - but beyond the horrific camps, the everyday life of these folks as they tried to hide and protect their families just reveals how shitty they were treated on multiple levels by supposed neighbors and fellow citizens and their government. Very, very sad. So ultimately a great revealing book.

A Remarkable Debut

This story is full astonishing turns. I wanted to listen to it again, immediately.

A Beautifully Written Story

Narrated by: Stina Nielsen and Saskia Maarleveld both do a wonderful reading of this beautifully illustrated debut.

A historical fiction debut about obsession and loss…


There are romantic and erotic components in this poetic love story, (long descriptions of sensual encounters, that may offend some) with a central theme of home throughout. Touching upon relationships, unspoken truths, xenophobic and antisemitic tendencies, and misogyny.

I enjoyed her writing and found the story very compelling. Most significant is the character development of Isabel over the course of the novel. I was surprised of learning the things the Dutch government did post-war. I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author.