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The Safekeep Hardcover – May 28, 2024

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 3,873 ratings

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* 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).
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From the Publisher

Safekeep

Editorial Reviews

Review

“It is the only book I have read this year that has made me cry. . . . Van der Wouden has produced the rare novel about World War II, the Holocaust, and their aftermath that succeeds in feeling fully, intimately human. . . . [The plot] twist is not what makes The Safekeep remarkable; what does is the extraordinary, emotional story Van der Wouden crafts around it, and the pitch-perfect voice she brings to the characters who experience its consequences.” —Talya Zax, The Washington Post

“Quietly remarkable. . . . Van der Wouden’s writing is fine and taut. She lasers in on details, and presents unsentimental and intrinsically powerful metaphors. . . . I would have liked this book in any case, just for the pleasure of reading it. But the story is resolved in such a bold and tender way that it becomes not merely clever, but indelible.”
—Lori Soderlind, The New York Times Book Review

"A brave and thrilling debut about facing up to the truth of history, and to one’s own desires. . . . The tightly controlled narrative breaks open into a tale of erotic awakening, followed by an almighty twist. Anticipating that twist will not lessen its impact—fittingly enough for a novel in which everyone knows more than they can bear to admit. van der Wouden brings stunning power and control to her page-turner about trauma and repression."
—The Guardian

"A razor-sharp, perfectly plotted debut novel. . . . This book is worth your time and your patience."
—Sunday Times

"A compelling and atmospheric story of obsession and secrets. A novel that explores the things that are kept from us as children and the things we tell ourselves about our own hidden desires."
—The Booker Prize Judges' citation

"An absolutely stunning novel. . . . The writing is completely beautiful; the plot is brilliant. . . . What seems as a quiet story at the beginning reaches a turning point. . . . Everything is up for grabs. . . . A page-turner.”
WAMC

"By turns erotic, heartbreaking, and incandescent in its outrage on behalf of the invisible victims of a cataclysm that reverberated for decades after the peace treaties were signed,
The Safekeep packs an emotional wallop that is matched by its moral urgency.” —TIME, “100 Must-Read Books of the Year"

“A brilliantly executed twist elevates this love story into something much darker.”
The Times (UK), “The Best 12 Books of the Year"

"Unexpected and extraordinary."
—Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times

“A beautifully realized book, nearly perfect, as van der Wouden quietly explores the intricate nuances of resentment-hued sibling dynamics, the discovery of desire (and the simultaneous discovery of self), queer relationships at a time when they went unspoken, and the legacy of war and what it might mean to have been complicit in its horrors. . . . A brilliant debut, as multifaceted as a gem.”
Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Ms. van der Wouden knows how to wring real emotion from her readers, and
The Safekeep is the uncommon book that one experiences in an almost physical way.” —Sam Sacks, The Wall Street Journal

"This is an intimate novel, closely and brilliantly observed. . . . An accomplished debut."
New York Journal of Books

"[A] simmering, sexy work."
—Parade

“Fans of Patricia Highsmith and Ottessa Moshfegh’s
Eileen will find much to admire here. Recommended for reading outdoors while eating a ripe pear.” New York Magazine

About the Author

Yael van der Wouden is a writer and a teacher. The Safekeep, her debut novel, was a finalist for the 2024 Booker Prize and has been longlisted for the 2025 Aspen Words Literary Prize. It was also named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and a best book of the year by The Washington Post, Time, The Economist, Kirkus Reviews, The Times (London), The Independent, BookPage, and others. She lives in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster (May 28, 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1668034344
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1668034347
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 3,873 ratings

About the author

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Yael van der Wouden
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Yael van der Wouden is a writer and teacher. She currently lectures in creative writing and comparative literature in the Netherlands. Her essay on Dutch identity and Jewishness, "On (Not) Reading Anne Frank", has received a notable mention in The Best American Essays 2018. The Safekeep is her debut novel and was acquired in hotly-contested nine-way auctions in both the UK and the US. Rights have sold in a further twelve countries.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
3,873 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the story for its moving and beautifully crafted tale with good twists and surprises. They find the book compelling and worth reading again. The writing style is described as wonderful, eloquent, and rich. Readers find the book thought-provoking and meaningful, exploring human struggles with loneliness, loss, longing, love, and redemption. Many describe the content as sensual and gripping. However, opinions differ on the character development, with some finding them complex and enjoyable, while others feel they could have been more developed or unpleasant.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

26 customers mention "Story quality"26 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story's quality. They find it moving and beautifully crafted, with good twists and surprises. The book is described as an ennobling novel that leads you through a spiral until you find yourself at the center. Readers appreciate the emotional depth and how it waits for their own feelings and emotions to be placed on it.

"...There is excellent character development, and the plot is excellent." Read more

"...There were some good twists in the story, though." Read more

"The author of this beautifully crafted tale leads you through spiral until you find you are at the center of her tale, but it’s not yet the center..." Read more

"...The other 70% was a love story. A fairly interesting love story, but a romance novel for the most part." Read more

20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and memorable. They describe it as a profound read with an intriguing plot. The book is described as an easy and enjoyable read that is well-written, with a focus on manners, class, and romance.

"This is a delightful book, very well written, and wraps you up slow slowly. There is excellent character development, and the plot is excellent." Read more

"It was a great debut novel but I would have liked to have seen some warmth come through in the main character, at least once...." Read more

"...that I think it might actually be the superior way to absorb this amazing book.)" Read more

"It's an absorbing book, easy and absorbing to read. The characters, the environment and their relationships are built slowly but surely...." Read more

18 customers mention "Writing style"18 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style as beautiful, eloquent, and rich. They find the story simple yet meaningful, with a clear voice and remarkable emotional truth. The author is praised for her talent and skill in storytelling.

"This is a delightful book, very well written, and wraps you up slow slowly. There is excellent character development, and the plot is excellent." Read more

"...I usually don't like audiobooks much but the narrators were so perfect and did such a great job here that I think it might actually be the superior..." Read more

"...It is a simply told story but every word matters...." Read more

"...Simply written but highly recommended. It took me a while to digest the book, to fill in the holes with my own feelings...." Read more

7 customers mention "Thought provoking"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and meaningful. They say it explores human struggles with loneliness, loss, longing, love, and redemption. The book is described as moving, sensual, and revealing of both time and culture. Readers appreciate the author's thoughtfulness and intelligence in allowing them to be present for each experience.

"...Done with thoughtfulness and intelligence she enables the reader to be present for each experience and decision." Read more

"...written story that is moving, sensual, and incredibly revealing of both time and culture...." Read more

"A powerful, eloquent, and rich epic. The Safekeep explores our human struggles with loneliness, loss, longing, love, and redemption...." Read more

"The vagaries of human existence, loss, trauma, unexpected connection...all wrapped in wonderfully simple, yet elegant, language." Read more

4 customers mention "Sensual content"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has sensual content. They describe it as an engaging story that is revealing and moving.

"A gorgeously written story that is moving, sensual, and incredibly revealing of both time and culture...." Read more

"...unexpected connection...all wrapped in wonderfully simple, yet elegant, language." Read more

"Compelling. Great love story. Unputdownable. Sexy! Not for everyone but WW2 history fans will love it. A plus: set in Holland." Read more

"Lovely, thought-provoking..." Read more

3 customers mention "Gripping story"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the gripping story.

"...It's wonderfully written, gripping and compelling...." Read more

"It’s been a while since I have read such a gripping book. Way to go, Yael. Looking forward to reading your upcoming work." Read more

"I loved this gripping, beautifully written novel! Such unexpected twists and turns, profound history and deeply moving love. A triumph!" Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"5 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the character development. Some find it excellent, while others think the characters could have been more developed and felt the setup was too long.

"...There is excellent character development, and the plot is excellent." Read more

"I won’t give anything away. The set-up of the characters was a bit too long. But the twists and turns after we’re chilling, heart-stopping...." Read more

"This is such a unique novel of complex characters and a story line that was unexpected while at the some time complete,each having their own journey...." Read more

"This was a wonderful book. The characters drew you into the story, their heartache and sadness...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2025
    This is a delightful book, very well written, and wraps you up slow slowly. There is excellent character development, and the plot is excellent.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2024
    It was a great debut novel but I would have liked to have seen some warmth come through in the main character, at least once. I felt she was so off putting it wasn't all that believable that anyone would be attracted to her. Or maybe we're meant to believe everyone in the book is cold hearted. There were some good twists in the story, though.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2025
    I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book since I read it, and have recommended it to multiple friends. It's wonderfully written, gripping and compelling.

    I'm especially glad that I read it with no knowledge of what it was about, no idea where it was going, no expectations: it was a delight to be surprised at multiple turns where the book turned out to be something very different than I had expected. If someone recommended it to you, they know what they're doing -- just read it.

    At first I thought it started a bit slow, but in retrospect it did precisely what it needed to. Absolutely looking forward to what van der Wouden does next.

    (The audiobook version, by the way, is fantastically done. I usually don't like audiobooks much but the narrators were so perfect and did such a great job here that I think it might actually be the superior way to absorb this amazing book.)
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2024
    The author of this beautifully crafted tale leads you through spiral until you find you are at the center of her tale, but it’s not yet the center of it yet as she takes you further. It is a simply told story but every word matters. Filled with longing, love and loss I spent hours more just thinking about the book and its characters, I’m certain you will too.

    I highly recommend you read this too, if you don’t like it I want to know why, because maybe I missed something? Or, maybe it wasn’t me…
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2024
    I was expecting a post WWII story and it was that only for the last 30% of the book. The other 70% was a love story. A fairly interesting love story, but a romance novel for the most part.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2024
    If you liked the Bergman movies from the 60’s, you’ll like this book. Like a piece of IKEA furniture, it is very stark, stripped down and waiting for the readers’ own feelings and emotions to be placed on it.
    It’s a love story; a story of loss, regret, family history and guilt. Simply written but highly recommended.
    It took me a while to digest the book, to fill in the holes with my own feelings. But when I did, I wanted more.
    13 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2025
    Superb historical fiction that felt like reality. Addressing the history of the Dutch treatment or better mistreatment of the Jews with creativity is a true gift. Done with thoughtfulness and intelligence she enables the reader to be present for each experience and decision.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025
    It's an absorbing book, easy and absorbing to read. The characters, the environment and their relationships are built slowly but surely. The romantic, passionate middle feels like the end game but it serves only to make the later discoveries more moving.

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Ot
    2.0 out of 5 stars A dull read about an ill-natured woman
    Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2024
    I was not taken by this novel as many others were, who reviewed this book. Whatever criteria constitute a good novel, in the end, the impact of the story is a very personal experience. I did not find the story engaging, and after having read 130 pages, I felt no desire to go on. For me, a good novel is one that explores the deeper aspects of human nature and moral dilemmas, leaving me thinking about the story long afterwards, but this book was not one of those. The novel centres on an emotionally and sexually repressed woman, who lives alone in a large house, which serves as a kind of refuge. This woman has little interest in people, avoids human interaction, and has a negative attitude and surly disposition. She reluctantly agrees to allow her brother's girlfriend to temporarily live with her, and then with much ambivalence develops a strong attraction to this other woman. I found the two female characters dull. There was nothing about these two women--the one cold, the other nebulous--that made me want to care about them. The dialogue was trite, and almost every second line of dialogue of every character--not just the two women--ended in mid sentence, without completion of the thought. I found this repetitive, overdone feature of the dialogue quite annoying. I also found the English in the novel to be rather stilted. While supposedly the third part of the novel becomes more interesting, I could not summon the motivation to find out.
  • Vittorio Martini
    5.0 out of 5 stars herausragender Roman
    Reviewed in Germany on January 5, 2025
    Es wird an mehreren Stellen geschafft, das Narrativ völlig umzudrehen, dabei ergibt das Ganze wiederum einen in sich geschlossenen Roman. Sehr gut.
  • s pittb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and surprising
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2025
    The characters feel very real. Loved reading about life in post war Holland. Being born in the 60s, I didn't appreciate the issues still involved in the resetting of Western Europe after WW2. Very moving
  • M.P
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
    Reviewed in France on December 27, 2024
    Loved the book
  • THIS IS NOT THE EDITION THAT WAS DELIVERED
    5.0 out of 5 stars Got it perfect state
    Reviewed in Belgium on October 23, 2024
    Great state