The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
The House of Doors tells the story of how Robert Hamlyn meets the renowned author William Somerset Maugham. Set primarily in 1921 in the Straits Settlement of Penang, Malaysia, the novel immerses readers in a richly atmospheric colonial world.
Hamlyn is married to Lesley, a high-society hostess, while Maugham, referred to as "Willie", is trapped in an unhappy marriage and reeling from the collapse of his business interests. As a writer, Maugham must conceal aspects of his identity in his work, particularly his sexuality, which is explored in the novel with sensitivity and depth.
The narrative also weaves in historical figures, including Sun Yat Sen (also known as Sun Wen), and a subplot involving Lesley’s best friend, who in 1911 was accused of a cold-blooded murder. Based on real events, the novel is a powerful tale of love, betrayal and identity, all unfolding under the shadow of the British Empire’s presence in Malaysia.
Tan Twan Eng masterfully explores cultural complexities and forbidden love, themes often found in Maugham’s own writing.
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Christopher (Reading Circle Participant)
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