strawberryice 's review for:

The Door by Magda Szabó

5.0

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The story is being told by “the writer”, whose name isn’t important, until it is. She writes about her housekeeper, Emerence, who is a peculiar figure. She is described by the writer as a true Christian, even though Emerence never cared for religion. A force capable of understanding human nature, whose words can feel like a hug or beating. A being that can attract you or banish you in a second.

The intricate friendship that forms between the two women, the love and respect they have for one another shake me to my core. A love that can be shared only between those with utmost respect for each other, a love that alleviates pain.

I crave such a friendship.

Emerence is truly a beautiful character, hard to understand, but easy to love. It has changed the way I view people. I don’t think I will ever have the courage to dismiss anyone’s behaviour as irrational or weird anymore. People have their way of living, sometimes so different from my own, that I can’t relate to them. I could never imagine friendships springing between people of such different backgrounds and situations, but now I await impatiently the moment I will meet my own Emerence.