Book Talk with Yael van der Wouden on The Safekeep

On June 4, 2024, we are delighted to welcome former UU instructor and BA/RMA alum Yael van der Wouden for a reading and open discussion on her debut novel The Safekeep. The Safekeep has taken the international literary world by storm, appearing in multiple translations in over a dozen different countries. The Dutch translation, published by Uitgeverij Chaos (which Van der Wouden co-founded), is already available, and the English original will be released at the end of May by Avid Reader Press and Viking.

The novel is set in the rural Dutch province of Overijssel in the early 1960s and tells the story of Isabel, whose life is turned upside down when her brother Louis brings his new girlfriend Eva to stay with her for the summer. Through the prism of the confrontation between Isabel and Eva, the novel grapples with the difficult legacy of the Second World War.

During this Book Talk, Van der Wouden will engage in conversation with Mia You (English) and Susanne Knittel (Comparative Literature) about cultural memory and creative writing, among other topics. Audience members will also have the opportunity to ask questions and to have their copies of the novel signed by the author.

As part of this celebratory homecoming for one of UU’s own, a drinks reception will follow!

The Book Talk is co-organized by the Utrecht Forum for Memory Studies and the Modern and Contemporary Literature Research Group.

This event is free, but seating is limited, so please register by sending an e-mail to utrechtmemorystudies@uu.nl