2024 Booker Longlist: The Safekeep by Yael van her Wouden

by jenp27 on August 26, 2024

Up next for our panel is another debut novel: The Safekeep by Yale van her Wouden.

Cover Blurb: 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 brilliantly plotted and provocative debut novel you won’t soon forget.

You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Keep reading to find out how our panellists rated this book.

Tracy’s Thoughts: I LOVED this book! I was captivated by the story from start to finish. The characters, the relationships, the tension between them and in the book were done beautifully. There was too much sex for my taste, and I thought it was wrapped up a bit too neatly, but what a beautiful book.

Writing quality: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Character development: 4/4
Plot development: 4/4
Overall enjoyment: 2/2
Did it deserve a spot on the longlist? Oh yes it does. I can’t wait to see what else this author can do!
Total: 18/20

Nicole’s Thoughts: It’s interesting, in my opinion, James is a superior book to this yet I had a hard time not giving this book ALL the points. I’m blown away that this is a debut, there were so many things done right.

The author created magnificent tension, foreshadowing was done subtly and I found myself with a few “aha!” moments. The relationships were so flawed and interesting, same with the characters. A tiny bit too much sex for me, but I always feel that way. Some of it was important, some was not necessarily.

I’d rather not say more about it, I think it’s all best for the reader to discover on their own. This makes my best of 2024 list for sure.

Writing quality: 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Character development: 4/4
Plot development: 4/4
Overall enjoyment: 2/2
Did it deserve a spot on the longlist? Absolutely – this is what Booker is about for me – loving a book I otherwise would never have read
Total: 19/20

Anita’s Thoughts: What Nicole said. No seriously, what Nicole said. This book reminded me initially of a book by one of my favorite authors, Deborah Levy’s Hot Milk, which was shortlisted in 2016. It just evoked feelings in me, as a reader, that few books do. There’s a slow tension. I’m so there for it. And then Part III flips the script, and the book becomes something else that I didn’t expect. And to be honest, I thought if I never read a book that had anything to do with WWII again, it would be too soon. But this one was exceptional.

Writing quality: 5/5
Originality: 4/5
Character development: 4/4
Plot development: 4/4
Overall enjoyment: 2/2
Did it deserve a spot on the longlist? 100%. It checks all the boxes while evoking so many emotions.
Total: 19/20

Jen’s Thoughts: I ended up liking this book due to the final part of the story which turned it from a romance-esque novel (which I typically hate) to a much more complex and interesting novel. It’s hard to say too much about this book without giving away what was the key plot element that made it so good. So, I’ll be somewhat vague in my review. Overall an excellent debut that was well-written and inspires reflection about belonging and roots and relationships. The author does do quite a fantastic job at creating tension and atmosphere.

Writing quality: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Character development: 4/4
Plot development: 4/4
Overall enjoyment: 2/2
Did it deserve a spot on the longlist?
Total: 18/20

We want to hear from you. Have you read this one? Let us know what you thought.

Our panel’s final rankings