The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Fiction
2024
Finished on June 28, 2026
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)
Booker Prize Nominee for Shortlist (2024)
National Jewish Book Award for Debut Fiction (2024)
Women's Prize for Fiction (2025)
Publisher's Blurb:
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.
I finished this debut novel late last night and am glad I hadn't given up on it. The Safekeep is a quiet and unique tale, nothing like any novel I've read about post-World War II. The writing is lovely, but it was slow to draw me in, possibly due to the frenetic pacing of the book I read prior to this one.
Isabel and Eva are complex, nuanced characters, both lost and broken in their individual lives, ultimately finding comfort with one another. It's a moving story of self-discovery and love, and yet the explicit revelation of Isabel's sexual awakening felt unnecessarily excessive, leaving nothing to the imagination. It didn't help to move the narrative forward, but rather became a distraction. The final chapters, however, rewarded me with an ultimately moving, and hopeful, conclusion. I look forward to reading more by the author in the future.
Recommend.
I am not one for explicit descriptions; I'd much prefer to imagine scenes. But that is probably just me.
ReplyDeleteDeb, it's not just you. I feel the same. However, the book is still worth reading.
DeleteI was quite put-off by the explicit sex scenes, too. And very disturbed when I learned that the story was based on truth. For some reason I had thought that The Netherlands was one of the good guys when it came to the Holocaust and its after effects. My review, if you care to take a look: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2025/07/three-short-reviews-safekeep-dream.html
ReplyDeleteAnne, I started to say that I'm not a prude, but maybe my reaction to the explicit sex scenes implies that I am. I can't remember if this book was chosen by my book club (and if so, I was not in town for the discussion), but I'm willing to bet it was not well-received if it was chosen for discussion. It's too bad that the author couldn't have shown the love affair through a softer lens rather than so starkly, as the overall story is worth reading. Thanks for the link to your review. I agree with your thoughts.
DeleteSounds like a nightmare to have this person dumped on her for the season! I'd go nuts. Glad the book worked out for you despite the distraction.
ReplyDeleteHelen, it started out as a nightmare for Isabel, but grew into something unexpected as the weeks went by. A worthwhile read in spite of my quibble.
DeleteI guess the explicit scenes served an explosive, surprising purpose and with the backdrop of the poverty from the war (post-war) and the loss of the parents ... I think it's unsettling but a provocative bombshell for the inward (isolated and repressed) Isabel and perhaps the reader. I was not expecting it but whoa .... it's a fairly short novel that packs a punch.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I agree that those scenes did serve a purpose, but I don't think it was necessary for them to go on for pages. I need to read your review again.
DeleteI am keeping a look out for this one
ReplyDeleteMystica, it's been pretty popular. Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteThis was the most explicit book I've in a very long time - possibly ever. That much detail wasn't necessary to move the story forward, but I still really liked it.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, it definitely has some racy scenes! I liked the book, too.
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