Blues for Mama

Don't be afraid, I'm not gonna write yet another sentimental ode to my Mom. This is a song by Nina Simone, and I can't come up with anything better to write about The Door by Szabó Magda. Actually, this is the first song in days I listen to because my throat hurts so much I can't tolerate any kind of music. When we went to the theatre, even the actors' voice disturbed me sometimes. What's worse, I almost suffocated on a piece of Belgian chocolate praline. The instant I put it in my mouth  I began to choke. It tasted spicy somehow, and it hurt my mucous membrane (okay, I cheated and copied it from the dictionary).

The Door (Az ajtó) is a quite interesting book because its topic is unusual, I think. Its protagonist is Emerenc, an elderly woman, who becomes the housekeeper of the writer. I don't know if its her real name, but the story is autobiographic, as it is often the case with Szabó.
Emerenc is an enigmatic figure. She doesn't talk much but works hard and a lot, too. She is a janitress in a villa, in addition, she is the housekeeper of the narrator-author, and works for practically the whole street. She shovels the snow off all the pavements, for example. She always knows when someone is in trouble, and brings dishes, trays, and pots full of first class food to the sick.
The relationship between Emerenc and Magda (the author) is a complicated one. Partly, they are like mother and daughter, but Emerenc always denies it. Magda, on the other hand is quite stubborn, petulant, and judgmental. In a way, Emerenc is wiser despite her elementary school level of education and Magda's university education. But she is stubborn and inexorable, too.
The main conflict between them is not more nor less than a door. Emerenc is extremely secretive, and never lets anyone beyond the anteroom to her flat. Only once is Magda allowed inside, when they are caught in a heavy storm, and Emerenc doesn't let Magda go home until it's over. This door symbolizes the reserve of Emerenc in general, similarly to the shawl she never takes off her head. But all this changes one day, when Magda betrays Emerenc.
Let me finish off with this mysterious hint at the end of the story, and make sure you read it. Gradually, I'm becoming a regular fan of Szabó Magda, though sometimes there is too much Szabó Magda in her books, if you see what I mean. Probably due to the autobiographic theme she lets herself overflow at some parts, and I don't like it when she exaggerates her role in the events either positively or negatively. Besides, she likes to compare her characters with ancient Greek or Roman heroes, and that's a bit annoying, too. I like the way she puts her thoughts into words, though. There's a classic (nostalgic?) taste to her writing. You know, she always makes me think of my late grandmother, Jolán.