Book description
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 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.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 TimesAbout the AuthorYael van der Wouden is a writer and a teacher. She lives in Utrecht, Netherlands, and The Safekeep is her first novel.
Grotas
I can't believe how much more productive I am – I'm learning and growing while multitasking! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine.
Spunky Sphinx
This app's library is a treasure trove – I'm always discovering new favorites. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks.
Natural Gold
With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
Slint FUBAR
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Hoboken Nightingale
📱 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! 📚🔥 CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Goatee Shield
This app is a true gift for book lovers – it's like having a personal library wherever I go. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Hoover Spark
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. I'm addicted to this app – it's like having a library in my pocket. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Rosie Bird
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can 'read' while I work!
RedFisher
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. 📱 Carrying my library in my pocket – this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! 📚👜 📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜
Nutmeg
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive.
DreamDiver
ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Genghis Glyph
This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. 🎉 Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks – this app turns errands into epic quests! 🛒📖 ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
RoarSweetie
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! Audiobooks have never been this accessible – this app is a true innovation. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. I can't imagine my life without this app – it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient.
CirrusFlash
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
JesterZilla
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. I can’t believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Trash Master
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Tokyo Dream
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
Celtic Charger
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Sleek Assassin
💡 This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! 📱👩🍳 📱 It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. 📚🔥 Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
M8deUp
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. 🚶♀️🎧 Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks – pure bliss! 🏞️📚 Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
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