Yael van der Wouden: The Safekeep Win
- LONDON—Dutch author Yael van der Wouden has been awarded the Women's Prize for Fiction for her novel, "The Safekeep," a story of an unusual romance set in the...
- The winners were announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday, with each receiving £30,000.
- Kit de Waal, chair of the fiction judges, hailed "The safekeep" as a "classic in the making," anticipating it will be appreciated for generations.
Yael van der Wouden claims the Women’s Prize for Fiction! Her novel,”The Safekeep,” a poignant tale of an unconventional romance set in 1960s Netherlands,captivated judges with its blend of history,suspense,and authenticity. This triumph reflects the book’s status as a “classic in the making,” as described by the judges.News Directory 3 reports on the award ceremony, highlighting the £30,000 prize and the judges’ praise of van der Wouden’s storytelling prowess. The novel, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, centers on a reclusive woman and her brother’s girlfriend, delving into unexplored aspects of war and the Holocaust. This victory showcases the power of past fiction and the lasting impact of quality literature. Discover what’s next for this award-winning author.
Yael van der Wouden Wins Women’s prize for Fiction
LONDON—Dutch author Yael van der Wouden has been awarded the Women’s Prize for Fiction for her novel, “The Safekeep,” a story of an unusual romance set in the Netherlands during the 1960s. The Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction was awarded to Dr. Rachel Clarke for “The Story of a Heart,” wich explores organ donation.
Updated June 13, 2024
The winners were announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday, with each receiving £30,000. “The Safekeep” was lauded by judges as a blend of history, suspense, and historical authenticity. The story centers on a reclusive woman who develops a close relationship with her brother’s girlfriend after she moves in for the summer.
Kit de Waal, chair of the fiction judges, hailed “The safekeep” as a “classic in the making,” anticipating it will be appreciated for generations. She added that books of this caliber are rare, with every word perfectly placed, revealing unexplored aspects of war and the Holocaust in fiction. De waal also noted it is a love story with intimate scenes written with delicacy.
Clarke’s “The Story of a Heart” focuses on two families connected by organ donation. It tells the story of Kiera, a nine-year-old girl who dies in a car accident, and Max, a nine-year-old boy facing heart failure. The book highlights the medical staff’s dedication in caring for Kiera and using her organs to give Max a new life.
Kavita Puri, who chaired the non-fiction judging panel, said Clarke’s book left a lasting impression, praising its authoritative, stunning, and compassionate writng. Puri noted the meticulous research and expertly crafted storytelling, adding that Clarke holds this precious story with great care and tells it with dignity, seamlessly interweaving the history of transplant surgery.
Dr. Clarke’s fourth book, “The Story of a heart,” was adapted into an ITV series in 2024, further highlighting the importance of organ donation awareness.
What’s next
Both authors are expected to see increased readership and attention to their respective subjects, with “The Safekeep” poised to become a widely discussed work of fiction and ”The Story of a Heart” continuing to raise awareness about the critical importance of organ donation.