Jewish Author Yael van der Wouden Longlisted for 2024 Booker PrizeHer Debut Novel, The Safekeep, Delves into the Holocaust’s Legacy and Sparks Publishing Frenzy
Jewish author Yael van der Wouden has achieved a significant literary milestone by being longlisted for the prestigious 2024 Booker Prize. Her debut novel, The Safekeep, explores the profound and haunting legacy of the Holocaust, examining how historical trauma reverberates through contemporary life.
Among the 13 books longlisted, The Safekeep stands out as one of only three debut works, reflecting its exceptional impact and originality.
The novel's publication journey has been remarkable, igniting a fierce bidding war that culminated in Viking securing the UK rights after a competitive nine-way auction.
Viking’s editorial director, Isabel Wall, praised the novel as “the most original and exhilarating” she had read in years. Wall highlighted van der Wouden's impressive ability to weave together a gripping story of desire and obsession between two women with a powerful exploration of Holocaust legacy and the darker aspects of our collective past.
Yael van der Wouden, who was born in Tel Aviv and raised in the Netherlands, brings a unique perspective to her writing, shaped by her diverse heritage—her mother is Israeli with Bulgarian and Romanian roots, while her father is Dutch.
Her essay On (Not) Reading Anne Frank—which examines Dutch identity and Jewishness—was notably mentioned in The Best American Essays 2018. The recognition for The Safekeep is a testament to van der Wouden's remarkable literary talent and her ability to address complex historical themes with sensitivity and insight.
* The Jewish Chronicle contributed to this article.
