The Keep
The Keep
Book Brief
240
Novel • Fiction
Unnamed Village • Contemporary
2006
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Keep by Jennifer Egan is a gothic thriller about estranged cousins Danny and Howard who reunite to renovate a medieval castle in Eastern Europe. Isolated from the outside world, their unresolved past grievances resurface, leading to an atmosphere of increasing paranoia and psychological tension. The narrative shifts to reveal a prisoner named Ray crafting Danny’s story to impress his writing instructor Holly, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Suspenseful
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
17,834 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jennifer Egan's The Keep offers an enthralling blend of Gothic mystery and psychological complexity, earning praise for its inventive narrative structure and rich, atmospheric descriptions. However, some readers find its intertwining plotlines confusing. Overall, the novel's originality and compelling character development make it a standout work.
Who Should Read The Keep?
The ideal reader for Jennifer Egan's The Keep appreciates suspenseful, genre-blending narratives with Gothic undertones. Fans of Mark Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves or Donna Tartt's The Secret History will enjoy its intricate, layered storytelling and exploration of memory, guilt, and psychological complexity.
17,834 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Keep by Jennifer Egan incorporates elements of gothic fiction, blending a modern narrative with a haunting atmosphere reminiscent of classic gothic tales.
Jennifer Egan's The Keep explores the themes of isolation and human connection, set against the backdrop of a mysterious European castle.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
The novel's complex structure and narrative style reflect Egan's interest in experimentation, which she further develops in her later Pulitzer Prize-winning work, A Visit from the Goon Squad.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
240
Novel • Fiction
Unnamed Village • Contemporary
2006
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!