The Safekeep
Author: Yael Van Der Wouden
Published by: Penguin Random House
Pages: 262
Format: Hardback
My Rating: ★★★★
Published by: Penguin Random House
Pages: 262
Format: Hardback
My Rating: ★★★★
It is fifteen years after the Second World War, and Isabel has built herself a solitary life of discipline and strict routine in her late mother's country home, with not a fork or a word out of place. 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…
In the sweltering heat of summer, Isabel's desperate need for control reaches boiling point. What happens between the two women leads to a revelation which threatens to unravel all she has ever known.
In the sweltering heat of summer, Isabel's desperate need for control reaches boiling point. What happens between the two women leads to a revelation which threatens to unravel all she has ever known.
My thoughts:
This month, I read The Safekeep for not one, but two of my book clubs, and I’m so glad I did - it made for some fascinating discussions.
What stood out most for me was Yael van der Wouden’s writing. The prose is truly beautiful - lyrical without feeling overwrought, and full of sharp observations that made me want to pause and savour certain lines. The plot itself was engaging and kept me gripped throughout; I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. That said, I couldn’t help feeling that the ending came about too quickly. After such careful buildup, the resolution felt slightly rushed, leaving me wishing for just a little more space for the story to breathe.
The characters were another highlight. They’re intriguing and layered, though not necessarily likeable - something I actually enjoyed. Isabel fascinated me; her behaviour throughout made for such compelling reading, and she’s a character I’ve thought about long after turning the final page.
Ultimately, The Safekeep didn’t quite live up to the incredibly high expectations I had going in, but it was still a rewarding and thought-provoking read. The conversations it sparked at both book clubs were proof of that, and I’m glad to have experienced van der Wouden’s writing. If you enjoy beautiful prose, complex characters, and novels that give you plenty to talk about, this is one worth picking up.
Overall reaction:
This month, I read The Safekeep for not one, but two of my book clubs, and I’m so glad I did - it made for some fascinating discussions.
What stood out most for me was Yael van der Wouden’s writing. The prose is truly beautiful - lyrical without feeling overwrought, and full of sharp observations that made me want to pause and savour certain lines. The plot itself was engaging and kept me gripped throughout; I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. That said, I couldn’t help feeling that the ending came about too quickly. After such careful buildup, the resolution felt slightly rushed, leaving me wishing for just a little more space for the story to breathe.
The characters were another highlight. They’re intriguing and layered, though not necessarily likeable - something I actually enjoyed. Isabel fascinated me; her behaviour throughout made for such compelling reading, and she’s a character I’ve thought about long after turning the final page.
Ultimately, The Safekeep didn’t quite live up to the incredibly high expectations I had going in, but it was still a rewarding and thought-provoking read. The conversations it sparked at both book clubs were proof of that, and I’m glad to have experienced van der Wouden’s writing. If you enjoy beautiful prose, complex characters, and novels that give you plenty to talk about, this is one worth picking up.
Overall reaction:
