Super Short Summary

The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng is a 2023 historical and literary fiction novel that centers on Lesley Hamlyn's story of friendship and personal intrigues in 1920s Penang, intertwining with the visit of author W. Somerset Maugham. The narrative shifts between different timelines and perspectives, reflecting on themes like the interplay between history and fiction, colonialism’s influence, and complexities of relationships, mirroring events such as the Ethel Proudlock murder case and Maugham's short story "The Letter." This book includes discussions involving racism, sexism, adultery, and violence, including gun violence and rape.