The Jib Door

Die Tapetentür (literally "The Wallpaper Door", but translated as The Jib Door, 1957) is a novel by Austrian author Marlen Haushofer. It depicts the failing relationship between the introverted, sensitive protagonist, Annette, and her professionally successful, extroverted, unfaithful husband Gregory. The novel offers an early example of Haushofer’s exploration of the themes of individual loneliness and alienation, as well as the longing to break free from social conventions.

The novel alternates between the first- and third-person narrative voice; in the former case as excerpts from Annette's journal.

Plot summary

Annette is a librarian who was widowed at a young age after a brief marriage, lives alone, and values her privacy. Her past sexual relationships with men have made little emotional impact on her, and she therefore views the departure of her current boyfriend, Alexander, for Paris—where he plans to stay for a year and a half—with nothing but relief.

Annette’s father left the family when she was still a child and has made no effort to contact her. When he dies, Annette meets the lawyer Gregory Xanther at the reading of the will; his personality—completely opposite to her own—both attracts and unsettles her. Despite dark premonitions and a lack of trust in his ability to remain faithful, she enters into a relationship with him, becomes pregnant, and accepts his marriage proposal. This first profound romantic experience rouses her from her previous lethargy and gives her a sense of security, but at the same time it forces her into a state of constant pretense, since the superficial Gregory shows little interest in her inner life, leading Annette to conclude that she cannot fully express any negative emotions—such as fear or anger—to him.