The Safekeep Audiobook By Yael van der Wouden cover art

The Safekeep

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The Safekeep

By: Yael van der Wouden
Narrated by: Stina Nielsen, Saskia Maarleveld
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* SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 BOOKER PRIZE *
* WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION *
* WINNER OF THE 2025 WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION *

Shortlisted for the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize and Aspen Words Literary Prize • A Best Book of 2024: The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Time, The Economist, The Globe and Mail (Toronto), Kirkus Reviews, The Independent, BookPage, The Sunday Times (London)

“Remarkable…Compelling…Fine and taut…Indelible.” —The New York Times • “Moving, unnerving, and deeply sexy.” —Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with the Pearl Earring • “A brilliant debut, as multi-faceted as a gem.” —Kirkus Reviews

A “razor-sharp, perfectly plotted” (The Sunday Times, London) 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 brave and thrilling debut about facing up to the truth of history, and to one’s own desires” (The Guardian).

Accolades & Awards

Lambda Literary Award
2025
Historical Fiction Lambda Literary Award Jewish Literary Fiction Fiction World Literature Genre Fiction Heartfelt

Critic reviews

"Nielsen creates a pervasive sense of disquiet that will keep listeners off-balance until the final moments...Nielsen excels at conveying Isabel's fragility and Eva's enigmatic persona, making listeners question each woman's motives. In a brief appearance, Saskia Maarleveld narrates Eva's diary entries with barely suppressed rage. This slow-burn work of historical fiction packs a powerful punch."
Beautiful Writing • Unexpected Twist • Excellent Narration • Compelling Plot • Unique Perspective • Emotional Depth

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Narrated by: Stina Nielsen and Saskia Maarleveld both do a wonderful reading of this beautifully illustrated debut.

A historical fiction debut about obsession and loss…


There are romantic and erotic components in this poetic love story, (long descriptions of sensual encounters, that may offend some) with a central theme of home throughout. Touching upon relationships, unspoken truths, xenophobic and antisemitic tendencies, and misogyny.

I enjoyed her writing and found the story very compelling. Most significant is the character development of Isabel over the course of the novel. I was surprised of learning the things the Dutch government did post-war. I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author.



A Beautifully Written Story

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This story is full astonishing turns. I wanted to listen to it again, immediately.

A Remarkable Debut

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This book was slow to start but developed in a beautiful way towards a reveal that pulled it all together.truly great description and ending that was not totally predictable.

The story

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Oh the prose is so detailed so nuanced , written ,through the eyes of someone who loves every detail of how someone moves or wears a garment subtle so real. Written as though a camera wrote the lines. The story begins ominously disquietingly. Then grows to a deep, psychological portrait of young people whose lives were ripped through by World War II when they were too young to understand what was happening. Family secrets. Hunger of memories… siblings who love each other but have such different solutions to their lives

The writing and the presentation of the voice are amazing

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I found the main character a trial to live with through the listen. The narrator did a true reading, but the personality is just… so… tiresome. Once Eva enters it picks up, especially in the last 20%. But I feel the heady reviews are more about the choices of plot and subject matter over the actual feel of the book.

Relevant but Annoying

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