pickI think I would have read this differently if I were younger- that we are meant to idolize Emerence, the enigmatic caretaker at the center of the novel, just as the narrator does, along with the entire town. In effect, this would justify the narrator's crushing guilt at what transpires. But I think examining that guilt, when its object is a figure who dispensed devotion and cruelty in roughly equal measure, is the real purpose. 👇
Billypar There are no literal parent-child relationships in The Door, but I think Szabo wanted us to view that relationship (and its inherent dysfunctions) with some objectivity. The difference between old world and modern beliefs and responsibilities in such a relationship are on display, but rendered in a chilling way. In such a landscape as Szabo paints, you make moral judgments of the characters at your own peril. This will stick with me. 6y
Billypar #LitWorld2018GB (Hungary) @GatheringBooks 6y
GatheringBooks i read this two years back and am still haunted by it 6y
Billypar @GatheringBooks I can see that- definitely a book that haunts. 6y
BarbaraBB Great review. I have to read this one soon. I bought a copy and still haven‘t read it! 6y