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seventhswan 's review for:
The Safekeep
by Yael van der Wouden
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me a while to warm to this book, as van der Wouden's writing style is clipped, sparse, and quite repetitive, which took some getting used to. I also guessed the twist before it was revealed - but I don't think that took anything away from my enjoyment of reading it.
Once I was used to the writing style and got to know the characters, I was extremely invested in the relationship between Isabel and Eva, but also in the lives of Henrik and Sebastian, and Neelke. Isabel as a character is so like me, and reading from her perspective felt like pressing on a bruise at times. There was so much hurt and trauma under the surface of the fairly plain writing - some of the exchanges between Isabel and Eva had me gasping with only a few words.
I need a Carol-esque film adaptation of this book ASAP.
Once I was used to the writing style and got to know the characters, I was extremely invested in the relationship between Isabel and Eva, but also in the lives of Henrik and Sebastian, and Neelke. Isabel as a character is so like me, and reading from her perspective felt like pressing on a bruise at times. There was so much hurt and trauma under the surface of the fairly plain writing - some of the exchanges between Isabel and Eva had me gasping with only a few words.
I need a Carol-esque film adaptation of this book ASAP.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Antisemitism
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Grief, War, Classism
Minor: Death of parent