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.
Lucky Brandy
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place! Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
Trixie
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. 🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 🏃♂️📚 I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. 📱📖 Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Opulent Gamer
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. 🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚 Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
FireBerry
With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Spider Fuji
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. 🌟 Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories – thank you, this app! 👚📖 I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Juno Cream
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Twiddle Twix
This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Guncap Slingbad
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets!
Freesia
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. 📱 An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts – it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! 📚💡 The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Hoboken Nightingale
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy!
Roller Turtle
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. The app never crashes. It’s reliable and stable.
Hen Skittle
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
Delicious Cupid
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Fire Fish
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life – it's a unique experience. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Sugar Hiccup
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
Springheel Jack
This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier – this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. 📱🎧 CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Jester
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience.
Old Man Winter
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments.
Chuckles
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
Nueva Nova
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. 🔥 Simplifying my reading routine – the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. 📚🔗 The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
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