4.3

The Safekeep

By Yael van der Wouden

Format:Hardcover

It's fifteen years since the Second World War and the rural Dutch province of Overijssel is quiet. Bomb craters have been filled, buildings reconstructed, and the conflict is well and truly over. Living alone in her late mother's country home, Isabel's life is as it should be- led by routine and discipline. But all is upended when her brother Louis delivers his graceless new girlfriend, Eva, at Isabel's doorstep-as a guest, there to stay for the season... Eva is Isabel's antithesis- she sleeps late, wakes late, walks loudly through the house and touches things she shouldn't. In response Isabel develops a fury-fuelled obsession, and when things start disappearing around the house - a spoon, a knife, a bowl - Isabel's suspicions spiral out of control. In the sweltering heat of summer, Isabel's desperate desire for order transforms into infatuation - leading to a discovery that unravels all she has ever known. The war might not be well and truly over after all, and neither Eva - nor the house - are what they seem.

Historical Fiction
Hardcover
First published 2024

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Popular Reviews(14)

4.3(106 ratings)
Almut Reviewed by Almut

Ein Buch, das nicht zu Ende gehen soll. Sehr bewegende Geschichte und viel Gefühl.

FreyaReviewed by Freya

Tender, vivid, beautifully written.

RitaReviewed by Rita

Erst am Ende hab ich begriffeen, wie toll und perfekt dieses Buch ist! Der erste Teil war sehr zäh, es war etwas schief aber nicht klar, was. Die letzten 30-40 Seiten werden mich noch lange beschäftigen.

ann(g)ezetteltReviewed by ann(g)ezettelt

Leider hinter meinen Erwartungen zurückgeblieben. Ich kam nur sehr sehr schwer in den Lesefluss und die ersten 180 Seiten haben sich wirklich gezogen. Ich war wie gefangen in dem Haus - voller Ödnis. Überraschenderweise kam der Twist mit den Tagebucheinträgen, die historische Einbettung war schmerzhaft und hat den Roman auf den letzten paar Kapitel nochmal deutlich spannender gemacht.

Ingrid KöhlerReviewed by Ingrid Köhler

I really, really love single sentences and thoughts, but I'm so sorry, I really do not love the book.

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