Set in 1920s colonial Penang, The House of Doors follows Lesley Hamlyn, a British expatriate whose life is upended when the writer W. Somerset Maugham visits her and her husband. As Lesley confides in Maugham, she recounts two intertwined stories: the scandalous 1911 murder trial of her friend Ethel Proudlock, and her own secret affair with a Chinese revolutionary, Arthur Loh, linked to Dr. Sun Yat Sen.
The novel explores how personal histories are shaped—and sometimes exploited—by those who tell them. Maugham, struggling with his own identity and career, sees in Lesley’s confessions the material for his next literary success. Through layered storytelling, Tan Twan Eng examines themes of colonialism, gender, secrecy, and the ethics of storytelling, while reimagining real historical events and figures.
Unfortunately, we all enjoyed this book, when we all enjoy a book, the discussion is not as great. All of us have decided to look more into the novels of Somerset Maugham. It was interesting to note the lack of autonomy women had, even at this time. The constraints of society and the life of a 'colonial'.
Marks out of 10 - highly marked by us all between 7 - 9
Words used of describing it: facinating, inciteful, evokative, absorbing, remarkable.
Next Book
The Ballard of the Sad Cafe by Carson Maccullers
Next Meeting
Friday 25th at July at Naila 36 Lysia St
Sept at Cindy
Oct at Emma
Nov at Rowena (hopefully)
