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The Safekeep: A Novel Exploring WWII's Aftermath

A Dutch-Israeli author's debut novel explores the hidden history of Jewish possessions after WWII and the complexities of memory and responsibility, incorporating a queer romance subplot.

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EntertainmentNetherlandsWarIdentityRomanceHistorical FictionFamily Secrets

Booker PrizeUitgeverij Chaos

Yael Van Der WoudenMarga MincoAnna SteinAlice WinnLucas Rijneveld

What inspired van der Wouden to write the novel?: Van der Wouden's inspiration stemmed from a personal experience, involving the deaths of her grandparents and a resulting vision for the book. This, combined with her background in literature and memory studies, shaped the narrative.
What is the central conflict explored in the novel?: The novel's central conflict revolves around the return of Jewish possessions after WWII, posing questions of collective memory and individual responsibility. The author examines the complexities of 'bewariers,' those who held onto these items and refused to return them.
What significant achievement did the novel accomplish?: The book's success led to its inclusion on the Booker Prize shortlist, highlighting its international appeal and quality, representing a significant achievement for a debut novelist.
What is the main theme of Yael van der Wouden's novel "De bewaring"?: Yael van der Wouden's novel, "De bewaring" (The Safekeep), explores the aftermath of WWII in the Netherlands, focusing on the possessions of Jewish people and those who kept them after the war.
How does the queer romance subplot relate to the novel's main themes?: The novel incorporates a queer romance subplot, paralleling the themes of hidden knowledge and suppressed feelings, mirroring the hidden history of what happened to Jewish possessions after the war.

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