The Door
The Door by Magda Szabo, published by New York Review of Books on January 27, 2015, is a translation that delves into the complex relationship between two women from contrasting backgrounds. The narrative centers on Magda, a writer navigating her life in Hungary’s Communist landscape, and Emerence, her housekeeper, who is a reclusive and enigmatic figure. This edition spans 288 pages and presents an unsettling exploration of their interdependence and the tensions that arise as Magda’s literary success brings unforeseen consequences.
Readers will find a rich portrayal of the psychological dynamics at play between Magda and Emerence, highlighting themes of love, control, and the impact of societal pressures. The story unfolds against a backdrop of war and military influences, adding depth to the characters’ interactions. Szabo’s work invites reflection on the complexities of human relationships, making this translation accessible to a wider audience.
Official synopsis Publisher
One of The New York Times Book Review‘s “10 Best Books of 2015”
An NYRB Classics Original
The Door is an unsettling exploration of the relationship between two very different women. Magda is a writer, educated, married to an academic, public-spirited, with an on-again-off-again relationship to Hungary’s Communist authorities. Emerence is a peasant, illiterate, impassive, abrupt, seemingly ageless. She lives alone in a house that no one else may enter, not even her closest relatives. She is Magda’s housekeeper and she has taken control over Magda’s household, becoming indispensable to her. And Emerence, in her way, has come to depend on Magda. They share a kind of love—at least until Magda’s long-sought success as a writer leads to a devastating revelation.
Len Rix’s prizewinning translation of The Door at last makes it possible for American readers to appreciate the masterwork of a major modern European writer.
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