Stacey B’s review of The Safekeep > Likes and Comments

When you say, regarding the sex scenes, "the in depth descriptions and details were noticeably too much" that tells me one thing, Stacey. The scenes were not erotic or beautiful. If they were, nothing would be "too" anything. You as a reader would simply be swept away.

Georgia wrote: "When you say, regarding the sex scenes, "the in depth descriptions and details were noticeably too much" that tells me one thing, Stacey. The scenes were not erotic or beautiful. If they were, noth..."

Georgia, you may be right. Compared to what I read in the past,
in my opinion, my interpretation was neither.

I added this one after reading a glowing review in the New York Times. I am very curious about it now. I'll come back Stacey when I eventually get to it. I suspect this is one that will linger.

Lisa wrote: "I added this one after reading a glowing review in the New York Times. I am very curious about it now. I'll come back Stacey when I eventually get to it. I suspect this is one that will linger."

Gm Lisa.
I didn't think anyone would reply or "like" to my non rated rated review. Georgia's opinion (above) makes complete sense. Had I recognized that interpretation , my review would have been different. I hope you enjoy the book and will be curious about what you think. I have a feeling you will enjoy the book.

Stacey, I want to thank you for your honest review. I'd been 'watching' this book, intending to purchase it eventually. But after your review, and Georgia's comment, I believe my best option is to simply pass.🙏

Jodi wrote: "Stacey, I want to thank you for your honest review. I'd been 'watching' this book, intending to purchase it eventually. But after your review, and Georgia's comment, I believe my best option is to ..."

Thank you Jodi for your comment.
Many readers rated this book, but I didn't read any reviews. Im probably the only one who wrote about why I didn't rate it, but must repeat the storyline was really clever.

STacey, I really appreciate your honesty. It's so nice to see someone pull back and feel they can't fairly rate a book! (PS I had a similar problem with "Fleishman Is in Trouble." )

I went into this novel blind and listened to the audiobook. Thank GOD I had headphones because it was so graphic.

I just finished this book and agree that the explicit sexual sections of the book went overboard and detracted rather than added value to what was, for me an interesting read. I am still glad I read it.

I appreciate Georgia's comment. I found the sex kind of boring because there wasn't any connection between the two before they hate sexed. It never did seem like they actually liked each other, at all.

Gizzard wrote: "I appreciate Georgia's comment. I found the sex kind of boring because there wasn't any connection between the two before they hate sexed. It never did seem like they actually liked each other, at ..."

So true Gizzard.
Maybe aggression driven.

Not a fan of sex scenes, especially graphic ones. I'll pass. Thanks for the review Stacey!

Stacey, I have a hunch my IRL bookclub will put this on the list sooner or later - you have me intrigued about that very creative plot (I read it was inspired by a short story of the Dutch writer Margo Minco, The Address.

Barbara (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS!) wrote: "Not a fan of sex scenes, especially graphic ones. I'll pass. Thanks for the review Stacey!"

Hi Barbara,
I am an outlier on this one. Pertaining to the graphics, Georgia Scott's opinion (above) is on target.
Also, I am as frustrated as you re notifications. :(

Ilse wrote: "Stacey, I have a hunch my IRL bookclub will put this on the list sooner or later - you have me intrigued about that very creative plot (I read it was inspired by a short story of the Dutch writer M..."

Good morning Ilse-
Thank you for the comment.
Im sure you are right on your hunch. I met the publisher. It seems to be a hit, especially for a debut novel.
Just wasnt for me.
I thought I read The Address, but according to Amazon it is only in Dutch. I would have loved to read that short story.
I saw "The Fall" - did you read that by chance?

Fran wrote: "STacey, I really appreciate your honesty. It's so nice to see someone pull back and feel they can't fairly rate a book! (PS I had a similar problem with "Fleishman Is in Trouble." )"

Fran,
Thank you for the comment. Sometimes its such a hard call to make. Better to take the high road.

Soraya wrote: "I went into this novel blind and listened to the audiobook. Thank GOD I had headphones because it was so graphic."

Too funny Soraya.
Glad I wasnt the only one.

Letha wrote: "I just finished this book and agree that the explicit sexual sections of the book went overboard and detracted rather than added value to what was, for me an interesting read. I am still glad I rea..."

Letha,
Happy to know. It was interesting as was the MO.
I just felt the "explicit" graphics were not so necessary to make the subject thicken.

Stacey wrote: I thought I read The Address, but according to Amazon it is only in Dutch. I would have loved to read that short story. I saw "The Fall" - did you read that by chance?
Stacey, I've only read Bitter Herbs by Marga Minco so far, thank you for pointing me to 'The Fall'! If you would like to read it and don't mind reading it on a screen, you can find an online edition of 'The Address' by searching on 'The Address Marga Minco pdf'.

Ilse wrote: "Stacey wrote: I thought I read The Address, but according to Amazon it is only in Dutch. I would have loved to read that short story. I saw "The Fall" - did you read that by chance?
Stacey, I've on..."

Thank you Ilse for this info. Very much appreciated. I will read it in any form. I also read Bitter Herbs. Going to read The Fall after I read this one.

I agree, the premise was amazing, but I skimmed through the sex scenes thinking: This isn't what I'm here for. I think the relationship could have been captured without so much explicitness.

Barb wrote: "I agree, the premise was amazing, but I skimmed through the sex scenes thinking: This isn't what I'm here for. I think the relationship could have been captured without so much explicitness."

Barb, I agree with you.

Agree, Stacey. The explicit content, while well-written, made it difficult to fully engage with the story on an emotional level.

Taufiq wrote: "Agree, Stacey. The explicit content, while well-written, made it difficult to fully engage with the story on an emotional level."

Gm Taurfiq,
Thank you for commenting. I heard about this book before it was released and wanted to love it. The storyline is excellent but the disruptions were my issue.

I’m reading it now and Isabel and Eva just got together. Now I know what to expect. Thank you and I’ll report back when I finish the book. My book club is discussing it this week.

Judi wrote: "I’m reading it now and Isabel and Eva just got together. Now I know what to expect. Thank you and I’ll report back when I finish the book. My book club is discussing it this week."

Judi,
Did you finish the book?

I have this one on my list but have been hesitant....will keep it on the back burner for now.

Canadian Jen wrote: "I have this one on my list but have been hesitant....will keep it on the back burner for now."

CJ-
So many readers loved it. I had a problem with the scenes as I described above. Part of that, was me becoming frustrated at being disrupted many times. Try it out- you can always skim through what may bother you.

I understand your quandary. The sex scenes are what made me put this book on my Nevers list. I'm no prude either, but explicit sex takes me away from a book. Thanks for confirming my decision, Stacey.

Rosh wrote: "I understand your quandary. The sex scenes are what made me put this book on my Nevers list. I'm no prude either, but explicit sex takes me away from a book. Thanks for confirming my decision, Stacey."

Rosh-
Its the other way around- You validated my opinion.
Thank you xoxo

I agree. The erotica was not needed and for me detracted from an otherwise excellent novel. You can write about romance and attraction without the explicit descriptions of their sexual intercourse.

Jean wrote: "I agree. The erotica was not needed and for me detracted from an otherwise excellent novel. You can write about romance and attraction without the explicit descriptions of their sexual intercourse."

Jean, Thank you for your comments. This was an excellent book with great prose and topics. I just....

Well stated review, Stacey. Agree!

Jill wrote: "Well stated review, Stacey. Agree!"

Thanks Jill!!!

Thank you @Stacey B. I am in complete agreement and yes to all of the comments. There should be warnings on some of these books. "May contain explicit sexual content" or at least an R rating.

Reading in the sun wrote: "Thank you @Stacey B. I am in complete agreement and yes to all of the comments. There should be warnings on some of these books. "May contain explicit sexual content" or at least an R rating."

Thank you for your post Reading in the sun. !!!
If this book get movie rights; they better. :)
I still think the storyline and writing is fabulous.

Really appreciate your review of this, Stacey, along with the discussions. I think I’ll give it a try, but not anytime soon :)

Totally agree. In fact, it was around mid-way when the women were engaged in erotic endeavours that I just got so BORED and decided I could not go on with the book. Had I known before starting that this book included lesbian sex I would never have opted to read it. This is not my world and I just don’t want to go there. Pity about all the other aspects that were worthwhile.

Heidi wrote: "Totally agree. In fact, it was around mid-way when the women were engaged in erotic endeavours that I just got so BORED and decided I could not go on with the book. Had I known before starting that..."

Thanks Jennifer and Heidi.
There really is nothing more I can say other than it was a clever
plot that was reality.. and that, could have gone in many directions.

In her acknowledgments, the author thanks one friend who said the book was funny. I thought the sex scenes were so over the top that I read them out loud to my wife and we both laughed. I thought the general conceit of the book was wonderful but there is a genre of Holocaust porn in serious books and cinema (Seven Beauties, The Night Porter) that requires extraordinary care. Here, once the sex scenes arrived they telegraphed the ending and to some degree sabotaged the remarkable concept the book had. The last chapters were very moving and I'm still trying to decide the degree to which they were set up by the earlier part of the book.

Howard wrote: "In her acknowledgments, the author thanks one friend who said the book was funny. I thought the sex scenes were so over the top that I read them out loud to my wife and we both laughed. I thought t..."

Good am Howard,
I heard about this book months before its release and was looking forward to it. I cant bring myself to ever give a book a poor rating unless its heartless and mean-spirited. In this case I wouldnt rate it, yet felt as you do.
Yes, I also read the acknowledgement as its become a habit. Much to be learned from added info. of "thank-you's".

I agree with your comments and not being able to rate this novel. I am no prude either, but I think the sex scenes were pornographic, and added nothing to the novel. To me the whole book, despite the wonderful writing was like a train wreck, that I did not want to see, but couldn't look away from.

Peggy wrote: "I agree with your comments and not being able to rate this novel. I am no prude either, but I think the sex scenes were pornographic, and added nothing to the novel. To me the whole book, despite t..."

Ahh Peggy, I hear you loud and clear. :)

Thank you for this review. It absolutely reflects my opinion. Happy to see so many others agree. It’s a shame; it could have been so much better without the detailed sex scenes.

Claire wrote: "Thank you for this review. It absolutely reflects my opinion. Happy to see so many others agree. It’s a shame; it could have been so much better without the detailed sex scenes."

Thank you Claire.
The plot was so good with outstanding character development
on its own merit. I questioned my judgement call when I saw all the ratings and reviews- I appreciate the validation.

I completely agree. Such beautiful writing and heartbreaking backstory, it simply did not need the graphic sex scenes.

Ruth wrote: "I completely agree. Such beautiful writing and heartbreaking backstory, it simply did not need the graphic sex scenes."

Hi Ruth. Thank you for reading my review.
I never thought many readers would agree with my
opinion of this book. Not sure what the reason is.
I dont believe I would have the same opinion with one time- as I wouldnt have viewed it as disrupting my concentration, but I probably would have commented on some of the extremely
graphic sex parts-only because the book didnt warrant it. It was great on its own.

Thank you - I appreciate your review - and realized I would feel the same! I’ll read something else in my list!

Gina wrote: "Thank you - I appreciate your review - and realized I would feel the same! I’ll read something else in my list!"

Hi Gina.
Thank you. When writing the review, I really thought I would be an outlier on this one, expecting many readers to disagree -which is fair. To that point, there are appx 20,000 5* reviews on here. It is such a clever, good book. I would have rated it a 10 plus if I hadn't been frustrated.

Thank you I too appreciate your review. I think she is an excellent writer and I thought the premise was so interesting and captivating. It brought more history to what the Jews went through and made me incredibly sad. But the gratuitous sex…took away from the premise and I felt like the characters all just fell off the page. And ….sex just completely changed her into a nice, caring person? Come on. I was disappointed. It would have been fantastic on its own.