The Safekeep: Obsession, Desire and Darkness left by WWII.

- a novel by Yael van der Wouden.

I went into the book expecting a slow but heart-warming and sweet genesis of a buding friendship. Not to say that it isn't that... not to say it is that either. Not one of the characters here is too nice, least of all Isabel, our protagonist. They can all often be quite mean or nasty. The novel gets high marks for realism telling a most compelling story of a lonely Netherlands woman.

1961, Isabel lives alone in her family home. About the only people she associates with are her two brothers, the ladies man Louis, Hendrik who lives with his boyfriend and a young maid whom Isabel always suspects of stealing her mother’s heirlooms.

And then Louis asks if his current girlfriend Eva can stay with Isabel at the family home for a month or two while he is on a business trip. Isabel reluctantly agrees to this arrangement- Louis can, if he so wished to, kick her out of the family house since it is his, being the oldest child. Eva is lazy by comparison, free with her laughter and quick to share confidences with people. The house is alive at night with her energy but her presence is a creep, like a fog blanketing Isabel's peace of mind. Eva makes Isabel feel things, disturbs the atmosphere and all Isabel wants is for everything to go back to normal, to the comfort of emptiness.

The Safekeep is supremely intense. While reading, it kept my mind fully occupied. The story has a refreshing original plot. With little intention at hint at something, the novel does take a surprise turn toward the end. I loved this, it is a deceptively bucolic setting, but the head can be a minefield. The ending was moving, and really brought the start of the novel to deeper meaning. The motivations of the characters aren’t as set as we’re led to believe. Emotions have a tendency to trip people in their plans.

The Safekeep is a must read. This is one you will not forget!

A tale of obsession, desire and the darkness left by WWII.