Set in the 1920s British colony of the Federated Malay States, Tan Twan Eng's historical novel, 'The House of Doors', unravels the intricate lives within Penang. The narrative centers on Lesley Hamlyn, a resident of the grand Cassowary House, and the renowned British writer W. Somerset Maugham, who visits during his travels. As Maugham recuperates from an illness, Lesley recounts her past in Malaya, including her connections to revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen and a scandalous murder trial, providing Maugham with rich material for his own writing.

Why You Should Read?

• Experience 1920s British Malaya through a meticulously researched historical setting.
• Explore complex characters in Lesley Hamlyn and W. Somerset Maugham, whose interactions drive a compelling narrative.
• Uncover secrets and a scandalous murder trial within a plot rich with intrigue and unexpected turns.
• Engage with profound themes of colonialism, race, class, and the power of narrative.