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The Safekeep

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The Safekeep

By: Yael van der Wouden
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld, Stina Nielsen
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

WINNER OF THE WOMEN'S PRIZE 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE 2025
LONGLISTED FOR THE WINGATE PRIZE 2025

An exhilarating tale of twisted desire, histories and homes, and the unexpected shape of revenge - for readers of Patricia Highsmith, Sarah Waters and Ian McEwan's Atonement.

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.

'A thrilling, razor-sharp, perfectly plotted debut novel' Sunday Times

'Moving, unnerving and deeply sexy' Tracy Chevalier, bestselling author of GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING

'A brave and thrilling debut about facing up to the truth of history, and to one's own desires… Van der Wouden brings stunning power and control to her page-turner about trauma and repression' Justine Jordan, Booker Prize Judge 2024

©2024 Yael van der Wouden (P)2024 Penguin Audio

 Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Psychological Thriller & Suspense World Literature War

Critic Reviews

I realise I’m quite late to this party but, my god, what a book. It’s an incredible novel, delicate yet tough, and pitted with narrative landmines. It blew me away. I haven’t been as enthralled by a novel for a long time. I have immediately insisted that everyone I know reads it. (Maggie O'Farrell)
Surprising, chilling, and electric. The Safekeep is a simply fantastic work of literature. (Alice Winn, bestselling author of IN MEMORIAM)
The Safekeep is a dream of a novel — mesmerizing and shockingly good — it lulls you with the lyrical beauty of its words and then slams you awake with its raw passion and rage. Part silent scream, part breathless love story (Miranda Cowley Heller, bestselling author of THE PAPER PALACE)
Haunting and exquisitely poignant (Claire Fuller)
Moving, unnerving and deeply sexy (Tracy Chevalier, author of GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING)
The story is resolved in such a bold and tender way that it becomes not merely clever, but indelible (New York Times)
All stars
Most relevant
A beautiful powerful story. A revealing look at a dark and often hidden side of WW2. Sensual and compulsive read. Excellent narration. Highly recommend.

Wow!

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sexy scenes and am ending that has really stayed with me. You gotta get through a fair bit of fluff but worth it

Stick with it

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Heat 🥵 is the first thing that comes to mind with this book. but also complexity, and delicate beauty. a 5 out if 5 or a 10 out of 10. Well deserving... I dont want to add more, lest I ruin someone's own reactions to this gem

Can a book leave you with a fever?

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I absolutely loved it. it took me a while to get used to narrator's interpretation of Isa's voice but I got over it. I don't want to give any spoilers but the story was wonderful.

what a story

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Maybe just a bit too much stormy sex for my liking. The first and last parts were particularly riveting.

The excellent pacing and suspense. And the justifiable outrage of Eva.

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A beautiful story, I thoroughly enjoyed, particularly the second half. I didn't expect the twist, it took me by surprise. I loved it.

Beautiful Story of Longing and Reckoning, and Love

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All made sense when you get to part 3. Good premise. Without any spoilers Part 2 is too repetitive - we get it! Not keen on narrators accent either.

Need to wait for part 3

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liked the style of writing and presentation of this book and would recommend for all audiences

good story

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Loved the sensitive approach to such a sadly common historical tragedy
Highly recommend this book

Beautiful

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I loved the book but the ending was lazy. It needed another 3 or 4 chapters.

Disappointed in the ending

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