The malevolent and insidious reverberations of the holocaust still wail in its wake, creeping in the aftermath of dastardly and barbaric atrocities perpetrated against the Jews during WWII, privy to the inexorable pain, deprivation, torment, death and degradation endured by families directly impacted and ravaged by the unwarranted machinations of war’s unbridled brutality.
What was the outcome and what did the tyrants truly gain? What about the sanctity of life? How will the youth ever recover from its psychological scars and what of their cognitive growth? What does their future hold? Everything seems irrevocably obliterated – an abyss of darkness that’s deeply etched in the psyche of a populace, oppressed by the dominant forces of despotism, subjugating and begrudging them to lead a life of destitution and abject poverty, stripped of hope and belief.
The author intricately weaves a poignant and compelling narrative of fear, isolation, and estranged relationships, subtly imbued with the backdrop of WWII. Like a contagion, these emotions slowly and stealthily permeate every cell and fibre, inflicting deep-seated traumas that subliminally infiltrate the lives of those affected by the ravages of the war.
Isabel, residing in solitude within her late mother’s expansive rural home on the fringes of the serene Dutch province of Overijssel, emerges as our main protagonist, she serves as a custodian of the house which now belongs to her brother Louis. Her brothers Louis and Hendrick, lead contended lives, far removed from the simplicity of country life. A loner, her daily regimen – a composite of governance and meticulous administration – revolves entirely around the house. Her existence – confined to maintaining minimal to zero engagement with strangers, led with discipline, one akin to monastic rigour – her focus obsessed with the upkeep of the things in the house borders on compulsiveness.
As fate would have it, Louis, her charming and debonair brother, infamous for his fleeting romantic liaisons, arrives with his girlfriend, Eva, to visit Isabel, accompanied by their brother Hendrick and his partner, Sebastian. A spark of desire, love and yearning would spring forth, compelling our protagonist Isabel to confront and explore the fragile, complex nature of human emotions – which she unexpectedly experiences toward Eva. This chance encounter awakens and unearths, long-buried feelings, that were previously cocooned deep within in the recesses of her being, laying bare the deeply embedded emotions she had unknowingly suppressed for so long.
What ensues is an electrifying, passionate unbridled affair – a raw, desperate cry, an expression of longing and lust, fueled by an intense sexual chemistry between Isabel and Eva that consumes them entirely. The evocative prose is masterfully rendered and elucidated, artfully layered with explicit sensual acts that speak volumes about the intensity of their connection, showcasing the author’s skilful craftsmanship.
What lies ahead for Isabel and Eva? Will their relationship evolve into a lasting commitment? And what about Eva and Louis? How will their relationship endure the storm that lies ahead? Lastly, what will become of the house? Well if these questions intrigue and stir your curiosity, then you must go ahead and delve into this compelling narrative and discover the answers for yourself.
What a powerful and remarkable debut by Yael Van Der Wouden. I savoured this literary marvel for its sheer simplicity, elegance and in its masterful portrayal of a nuanced queer relationship with utmost precision and sensitivity.
Have you read this book?