When does a guardian turn into a prisoner? In post-war Holland, Isabel becomes a kind of a custodian of her familial home. Her isolation is ruptured when her younger brother Louis installs his girlfriend Eva in the house. With Isabel being territorial and protective of the house and its memories, clashes between the two women are on the cards.
But is the girlfriend really as innocent as she looks and is her chance appearance really a random event?
Stiflingly close atmosphere with loads of awkward pauses, with none of the characters being particularly likeable and I did not care for the lengthy Lesbian soft porn section halfway through. Otherwise okay-ish.

What a remarkable book.

Parachuted straight into a scene that represents conventional, conservative Dutch family life in 1961, we meet adult siblings Isabel, Hendrik and Louis for another rare, awkward restaurant dinner together. There seems little love lost between any of them. Isabel, a buttoned up, controlling woman, Hendrik, the pragmatist and Louis, a womaniser, used to pleasing himself.

The atmosphere here and throughout the book is claustrophobic. It is so carefully crafted that I found my breathing altered whilst reading as it was viscerally stifling. Into this appears Eva, Louis' latest squeeze whose currency, in the latest of Louis' girlfriends invited to these gatherings, is to be provocative and "silly".

Eva, however, develops into the catalyst for revealing hidden/shrouded depths of character, politics and history. It is no coincidence that this novel spins on these siblings being the first post-war generation from the occupied Netherlands. It is no coincidence that the sexuality the book oozes would gain traction as the 1960s progressed, but not in the here and now of this particular story.

I found it completely a completely unexpected page turner. It has an abrasion that forces readers into examining the realities of the diaspora, divergent behaviour, patriarchal society and conventions. I found the writing, by a very deft hand, compulsive.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #PenguinUK for allowing me to read for review

This was a slow burner for me. I think I found it hard going at the start because none of the characters seemed very nice and I always need someone to root for. At one point, as more was revealed I changed my mind about the two, main characters, Isabel and Eva and once I had connected with them, I couldn't put the book down. Atmospheric, clever, slightly sinister and unexpectedly beautiful. This is a little gem of a book. Brilliantly written and conceived. I went from meh to wow in no time.

I loved this unusual book! The characters were so well written, I felt like I had known them for years! Would highly recommend to anyone who loves reading about odd family dynamics

This is a brooding and powerful novel.
No spoilers !
Its energy and power creeps up slowly... the first part of the story introduces Isabel who has lived in the family home alone since her mother died and in many ways has trapped herself psychologically within the walls apart from seeing her brothers- has she taken on the role of the guardian of the house - to keep it safe and her memory of her mother. The sense of isolation and suppression of living is palpable and Isabel's anger and frustration to keep herself alone and protecting the house is disturbed by her bother's request to accommodate his girlfriend Eva whilst he is away on business. Isabel's life is soon to go into free fall as sense of foreboding is broken down into something much more unexpected
This is 1960s Netherlands and the repercussions of World War II are hidden beneath the surface; ignored, deliberately forgotten but the story of Isabel and Eva brings to light the greed of humanity and the ability to block or not recognise the reality and tragedies of the war- families lost everything and others capitalised on this.
The Safekeep is the story of a house; identity , belonging and the exploration of what 'home' means in relation to love and family.
The two main characters are beautifully realised and their damaged selves emanate off the page.
The final third of the book brings to life the hidden secrets and provides the shock.. How far would we go to get something back? What does ownership mean?
Yael van der Wouden has written a superb novel that will resonate far beyond the pages. We must never forget history and how the roots of events spread deep and wide. How close do we actually look at the truth about our family's past?

I adored this story of forbidden love and military secrets set in the aftermath of World military II. Isabel lives alone at her uncle's mansion. When Isabel's brother, Louis, returns his girlfriend Eva one day, she has a life-changing encounter, and the past and present clash in a really tragic but yet optimistic way. The Safekeep is one of the best historical novels I've read this year, because to its beautiful style and emotional power. This is a sweet, melancholic novel with vivid characters. Set against the backdrop of WWII's end, Isabel meets Eva, who is introduced to her as her brother's latest affair. This story did not go as planned, but being taken by surprise is the best thing, especially with a novel as beautifully written as this one. I won't go into detail because reading this book blind is the best way to enjoy it. But how amazing it is to come upon a book that emphasizes on love and kindness, as well as the actual meaning of home. This is a fantastic book that I will recommend to everyone.

This is a tender and melancholy book with visceral characters. Set against the backdrop of the end of WWII, Isabel meets Eva, introduced to her as her brothers newest fling. This story did not go the way I anticipated but being taken by surprise is the best thing, especially with a book written as beautifully as this one. I won’t go into detail, because going into this book blind is the best reading experience. But how incredibly breathtaking it is to come across a book that focuses on love and kindness, and the true meaning of a home. Such a stunning read, I will be recommending this to everyone.

I absolutely loved this story of forbidden love and war secrets, set in the aftermath of the Second World War. Isabel lives a reclusive life in her uncle’s home. When her brother, Louis, brings his girlfriend Eva back one day, Isabel experiences a life changing moment, and the past and present collide in a truly heartbreaking and yet also hopeful way. Beautiful prose, emotionally powerful, The Safekeep is a top contender for one of the best historical novels I’ve read this year.