LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2023A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERIt is 1921 and at Cassowary House in the Straits Settlements of Penang, Robert Hamlyn is a well-to-do lawyer and his steely wife Lesley a society hostess. Their lives are invigorated when Willie, an old friend of Robert's, comes to stay.Willie Somerset Maugham is one of the greatest writers of his day. But he is beleaguered by an unhappy marriage, ill-health and business interests that have gone badly awry. He is also struggling to write. The more Lesley's friendship with Willie grows, the more clearly she see him as he is - a man who has no choice but to mask his true self.As Willie prepares to leave and face his demons, Lesley confides secrets of her own, revealing her connection to the case of an Englishwoman charged with murder in the Kuala Lumpur courts - a tragedy drawn from fact, and worthy of fiction.From Man Booker Prize-shortlisted Tan Twan Eng, The House of Doors is a masterful novel of public morality and private truth a century ago. Based on real events it is a drama of love and betrayal under the shadow of Empire.
Tan Twan Eng
Tan Twan Eng is a Malaysian author known for his lyrical and atmospheric writing style that often explores themes of memory, identity, and history. His most notable works include "The Gift of Rain" and "The Garden of Evening Mists," both of which have received critical acclaim and won numerous awards. Tan's intricate storytelling and richly detailed settings have established him as a prominent voice in contemporary literature, particularly in the genre of historical fiction. "The Garden of Evening Mists" is widely regarded as his masterpiece, earning him international recognition and solidifying his reputation as a master storyteller. Tan's contributions to literature have helped bring Malaysian storytelling to a global audience, showcasing the richness and complexity of Southeast Asian culture and history.
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