Book description
A Quiet, Burning Summer: Why The Safekeep is a Must-Read
Yael van der Wouden's debut has already racked up a dizzying list of accolades - from the National Jewish Book Award to the Women's Prize for Fiction - and it's easy to see why. In The Safekeep, she spins a deceptively simple tale that unfurls into something far richer: a meditation on memory, desire, and the shadows that linger long after the war has ended.
Set in 1961 Overijssel, the Dutch countryside is still scarred by WWII's bomb craters, but life is slowly stitching itself back together. Isabel, who lives alone in her late mother's country house, expects a quiet, routine summer. That calm shatters when her brother Louis brings his new girlfriend Eva, a woman who feels out of place and out of time. Eva's restless energy, her tendency to touch forbidden objects, and the way she moves through the house ignite something fierce in Isabel.
Van der Wouden crafts a masterclass in tension. The story begins with ordinary things vanishing-a spoon, a knife, a bowl-yet it quickly escalates into a psychological thriller. Isabel's suspicion turns to obsession; her paranoia gives way to an intoxicating attraction that blurs the line between fear and longing. By the sweltering peak of summer, the house itself seems to conspire, holding secrets that challenge both characters' sense of reality.
What makes The Safekeep truly compelling is its layered exploration of history's legacy. The novel asks: if the war has ended, can we ever truly move on? Eva and Isabel are not merely two women; they are embodiments of past trauma and present longing, each carrying their own ghosts into the open air of the Dutch countryside. Van der Wouden does not offer tidy answers; instead she invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths about identity, memory, and the ways our desires can become both refuge and prison.
The prose is razor-sharp yet lyrical, a balance that keeps the narrative taut while giving each scene its own weight. The pacing feels natural, never rushing past a moment of revelation or lingering too long on exposition. Even the sex scenes are handled with care, contributing to character development rather than merely serving as shock value.
Critics have called it "remarkable" and "fine and taut," and rightfully so. The Safekeep is more than a debut novel; it's an invitation to examine how we keep our pasts locked away in the safekeeping of houses, memories, and the people who inhabit them. If you're looking for a book that will stay with you long after you close the last page-a narrative as intricate as a gem-then this is one you simply cannot miss.
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience