Bloomsbury Publishing
The House of Doors
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LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION
INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS' CHOICE
NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORKER, NPR, SLATE, THE FINANCIAL TIMES, AND A WASHINGTON POST NOTABLE WORK
The "masterful" (San Francisco Chronicle) Booker longlisted novel about love and betrayal, colonialism and revolution, storytelling and redemption.
The year is 1921. Lesley Hamlyn and her husband, Robert, a lawyer and war veteran, are living at Cassowary House on the Straits Settlement of Penang. When "Willie" Somerset Maugham, a famed writer and old friend of Robert's, arrives for an extended visit with his secretary Gerald, the pair threatens a rift that could alter more lives than one.
Maugham, one of the great novelists of his day, is beleaguered: Having long hidden his homosexuality, his unhappy and expensive marriage of convenience becomes unbearable after he loses his savings-and the freedom to travel with Gerald. His career deflating, his health failing, Maugham arrives at Cassowary House in desperate need of a subject for his next book. Lesley, too, is enduring a marriage more duplicitous than it first appears. Maugham suspects an affair, and, learning of Lesley's past connection to the Chinese revolutionary, Dr. Sun Yat Sen, decides to probe deeper. But as their friendship grows and Lesley confides in him about life in the Straits, Maugham discovers a far more surprising tale than he imagined, one that involves not only war and scandal but the trial of an Englishwoman charged with murder. It is, to Maugham, a story worthy of fiction.
A mesmerizingly beautiful novel based on real events, The House of Doors traces the fault lines of race, gender, sexuality, and power under empire, and dives deep into the complicated nature of love and friendship in its shadow.
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Book Details
ISBN:
9781639734672
EAN:
9781639734672
Binding:
Paperback
Pages:
320
Authors:
Tan Twan Eng
Publisher:
Bloomsbury Publishing
Published Date: 2024-01-10
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When planning for a trip to George Town, I came across this book which includes W. Somerset Maugham and Sun Yat Sen, two famous sojourners to Penang in the years after WWI. Tan Twan Eng evokes the essence of old George Town near the twilight of colonialism and the fascinating blend of cultures that makes Penang so interesting. It was fun to read about the places I would visit, but the book is more than a mere evokation of place. Tan Twan Eng captures to joys, dignities and pain of love as one of the main characters Lesie is married to a homosexual and Willie Maugham is a married homosexual - all in a time when being homosexual was criminal. The author explores the human heart. great in any book.
This was a beautifully poetic, literary read set in 1921 and centered around historical people and events. I wasn't sure I would like it (as it doesn't have much action), but it developed some very interesting characters and had me worried all the way through. I do want to say (without spoilers) that I adored the ending.I know some people worried that they don't know enough about history of the area/time or don't know enough about W. Somerset Maugham (a real historical figure who is central to the plot). I admit that I did supplemental reading to support my reading of this book: Maugham's Rain and The Letter as well as the murder trial that comes up. I feel these extra readings enhanced my enjoyment of the novel, but would not be necessary to love this book.
Interesting insight into Somerset Maugham's life and inspiration. This immerses the reader into the British expat world of SE Asia in the early 20th century.
I absolutely love this book. I think it would make a great film. I couldn’t stop reading it. I really like Lesley the best— maybe because it’s one of my names. I’ve only started recently to like my third name. I love the whole description of Malaysia and that byegone world. I found it fascinating to see how people cope in their marriages, even though they were unhappy and yet happy and an odd Way in LESLEY’S case. I really feel like making a gin pahit cocktail.
I am not going to go deep into a review Just say so far from the 12 really good books i have read thus far this year this one is by far THE BESTWhy? Beautifully written prose .. so descriptive in best way. .. character building .. Story .. on so many levels. Highly Recommend 👍👍👍
