Dutch author Yael van der Wouden wins Women’s Prize for Fiction

Dutch writer Yael van der Wouden has won the prestigious British Women’s Prize for Fiction for her post-WWII debut novel The Safekeep.

Van der Wouden’s novel, the first by a Dutch author to be shortlisted for the Booker Prize, was written in English and published in Britain, two of the conditions for participation in the award.

The novel is set in 1961 and explores the treatment of the Jews after the war through the life of Isabel, who lives the life of a recluse until an unexpected visit from her brother and his wife upends the routines she has clung to.

“The Safekeep is that rare thing: a masterful blend of history, suspense and historical authenticity … a classic in the making,” said judging panel chair and author Kit de Waal.

In her acceptance speech, Van der Wouden touched on her non-binary status.

“I was a girl until I turned 13, and then as I hit puberty all that was supposed to happen did not quite happen, or if it did happen it happened too much,” she said. “I won’t thrill you too much with the specifics but the long and the short of it is that hormonally I am intersex,” the Guardian quoted her as saying.

“In the few precious moments here on stage I am receiving truly the greatest honour of my life as a woman, presenting to you as a woman and accepting this Women’s prize,” she said.

“And that is because of every single trans person who’s fought for healthcare, who changed the system, the law, societal standards, themselves. I stand on their shoulders.”.