“She belonged to the house in the sense that she had nothing else, no other life than the house, but the house, by itself, did not belong to her.”
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden is a quietly remarkable and brilliantly plotted debut novel filled with feverish anticipation and suffocating obsession.
Set in 1961, The Safekeep follows Isabel, a lonely young woman led by discipline and routine. Isabel lives alone in her late mother’s home in the rural Dutch province of Overijssel. Her brothers have both moved out—Hendrik to a home with his boyfriend, and Louis to the city, where he spends his time rotating through insubstantial girlfriends.
When Louis shows up on the doorstep of their family home and tells Isabel that his newest girlfriend, Eva, will be staying as a guest while he’s abroad for work, Isabel has no choice but to agree. The house officially belongs to their uncle and is promised to Louis, meaning Isabel is only allowed to live there for as long as her brother permits.
Eva is the antithesis of Isabel, sleeping late, walking loudly about the house, and constantly touching things she isn’t meant to. Almost instantly, Isabel forms a fury-filled obsession with Eva, allowing this “burnt-edged girl” to endlessly occupy her thoughts. The last thing Isabel expects is for this repulsion to simmer in the heat of summer until it ultimately boils over into desire.
Meanwhile, items begin disappearing around the house. As Isabel bounces between blissful infatuation and dark suspicion, the truth begins to unravel, and everything she thought she knew about herself and her family home is turned upside down.
“She had learned want, briefly and hungrily. A span of a day, two days. She had learned the shape of it, the quick taste of it. She had reached out, foolishly, and she was not wanted in return.”
This exhilarating and twisted novel should be at the top of the list for any reader who enjoys complex queer characters, tangible tension, and clever use of symbolism. Although the cast is small, each character fills the space with unique traits, quirks, and palpable human emotion. These characters, who are at first hard to like, sit heavy in your heart for some time.
In just over 250 pages, van der Wouden explores themes of repression, inherited guilt, love, obsession, and the lingering impact of World War II in fresh and unexpected ways. Lured in by the addictive thrill of intense obsession, the mysterious and explosive final act catches the reader by surprise—even if the hidden truth is guessed early on.
“The pastor was speaking of St. Augustine and his pears. Something about youth in a pear grove. Something about stealing for stealing’s sake. Something about the seduction of disobedience…. ‘It was foul and I loved it. I loved my own undoing.’”
Readers who dislike explicit sex scenes might want to skip The Safekeep. The uneasy tension of this incredible novel wouldn’t be possible without these raw, emotional, and graphic sensual moments—but for those who prefer to avoid such scenes, consider this your warning.
Overall, The Safekeep is a complex and atmospheric dramatic thriller drenched in obsession that surprises the reader with its powerful exploration of the legacy of WWII and the darker parts of our collective past. If you’re a fan of Portrait of a Lady on Fire or Giovanni’s Room, you’ll likely enjoy The Safekeep.
As the winner of the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction and a shortlisted novel for the 2024 Booker Prize, The Safekeep has proven itself to be a remarkable piece of literature that remains somewhat under appreciated. Pick up van der Wouden’s debut novel at Bookshop Benicia or reserve a copy at the Benicia Public Library to read during these cold, winter months.
Vanilla Pear Bliss
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe pears, peeled and diced
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sparkling water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Mint leaves for garnish
Preparation:
- In a blender, combine the diced pears, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the pear mixture over the ice.
- Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
- Garnish with mint leaves.
