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strawberrymivvy 's review for:
The Safekeep
by Yael van der Wouden
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I should learn never to read books based purely on them being prizewinners! Having heard an interview with the author I was intrigued to read this and interested in the premise, what happened in that in-between time post WWII, how did the Dutch people reconcile what had happened and treat Jewish families?
Isabel is a lonely, somewhat bitter young woman living alone in a house that ultimately she'll be turfed out of when her brother decides he wants it. He introduces a new girlfriend then announces she will be staying with Isabel for the summer while he works away from home. Everything about Eva grates and irritates Isabel, and when things start to go missing around the home Isabel's behaviour becomes obsessive.
The first third was overly dull and I almost DNF a few times; the second third is full of sex; the final third uses the lazy device of explaining what has happened through the device of a discovered diary.
Ultimately I did finish the book and whilst I didn't hate it, I'm not sure it deserves all the praise it's had - not for me
Isabel is a lonely, somewhat bitter young woman living alone in a house that ultimately she'll be turfed out of when her brother decides he wants it. He introduces a new girlfriend then announces she will be staying with Isabel for the summer while he works away from home. Everything about Eva grates and irritates Isabel, and when things start to go missing around the home Isabel's behaviour becomes obsessive.
The first third was overly dull and I almost DNF a few times; the second third is full of sex; the final third uses the lazy device of explaining what has happened through the device of a discovered diary.
Ultimately I did finish the book and whilst I didn't hate it, I'm not sure it deserves all the praise it's had - not for me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Antisemitism