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A review by drschroe
The Door by Magda Szabó
2.0
As I began reading The Door, I thought it was going to be a book about an unusual relationship between a successful writer and the quirky older woman who cares for her flat and the homes of others around the neighborhoods of Budapest. I was captivated at the beginning, intrigued by Emerence, the tough, older woman with near-super human strength who was only happy when she was working -- and only worked on her own terms.
What this book ended up being about was an enmeshed, co-dependent relationship between these women and a few of the people in their lives. The narrator (the successful writer) spoke of trust and love between her and Emerence, when they treated each other with such disdain and anger (especially Emerence) I could not for the life of me imagine how these two extremely unlikeable people stayed connected.
This book is about power and control; about treating people (and animals -- content warning) as awfully as you can and still daring them to love you. But that's not love at all, it's Stockholm Syndrome and, in the end, an unhealthy relationship.
Magda Szabo is an amazing writer, and the translation was extremely well done, which is the only reason I gave this any stars at all. But I'm sad to say, I kept asking myself throughout, "Why am I still reading this?" Do not recommend.
What this book ended up being about was an enmeshed, co-dependent relationship between these women and a few of the people in their lives. The narrator (the successful writer) spoke of trust and love between her and Emerence, when they treated each other with such disdain and anger (especially Emerence) I could not for the life of me imagine how these two extremely unlikeable people stayed connected.
This book is about power and control; about treating people (and animals -- content warning) as awfully as you can and still daring them to love you. But that's not love at all, it's Stockholm Syndrome and, in the end, an unhealthy relationship.
Magda Szabo is an amazing writer, and the translation was extremely well done, which is the only reason I gave this any stars at all. But I'm sad to say, I kept asking myself throughout, "Why am I still reading this?" Do not recommend.