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.
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The Safekeep
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.
Popular Reviews(18)
Reviewed by Melises war PERFEKT. herzzerreißend, historisch unfassbar relevant, emotional; it was everything!!! sie kann SCHREIBEN.
Reviewed by AndraSchande über mich, dass ich das Buch über ein Jahr auf meinem TBR habe verstauben lassen. Ich hatte es so oft in der Hand und wieder zurück ins Regal gestellt, dass ich mich irgendwann dazu erbarmt habe, das Buch doch endlich mal zu lesen. Was soll ich sagen? WARUM?! Warum habe ich es nicht sofort gelesen?! Ja, der Einstieg in die Geschichte war langsam. Vielleicht sogar etwas träge. Und vielleicht ist der Schreibstil auch gewöhnungsbedürftig. Aber. Aber! Historisches Setting? Queer? You got me there! Das Buch wird mich noch lange begleiten. Auch wenn ich Isabel so manches Mal schütteln wollte für ihre Art. Es war so lebendig, erotisch (Nein, wir reden hier nicht von Smut), voller Liebe, Trauer und diversen Ängsten. Je weiter man in den Seiten vorankommt, umso klarer wird alles. Jahreshighlight.
Reviewed by Almut Ein Buch, das nicht zu Ende gehen soll. Sehr bewegende Geschichte und viel Gefühl.
Reviewed by FreyaTender, vivid, beautifully written.
Reviewed by RitaErst 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.