The House of Doors Audiobook By Tan Twan Eng cover art

The House of Doors

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The House of Doors

By: Tan Twan Eng
Narrated by: David Oakes, Louise-Mai Newberry
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LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2023

It 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, including how she came to know the charismatic Dr Sun Yat Sen, a revolutionary fighting to overthrow the imperial dynasty of China. And more scandalous still, she reveals 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.

©2023 Tan Twan Eng (P)2023 W. F. Howes Ltd Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Fiction Marriage
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A story set in Penang reflecting a fascinating
Coincidence between British life in colonial Malaya, Somerset Maugham and Sun yat sen

More wonderful TanTwan Eng

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This is an astonishing piece of writing. History, humanity, love, lust and intrigue meticulously woven together into a book that simply cannot be put down. Nor ignored. It is beautifully written literary genius. Simply, a must read …

Twan has surpassed even himself with The House of Doors

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Elegantly written interesting history and intimate story. It’s a bit of early 20 Century Chinese/Malayan/colonial and resistance history enlarged by credible characters. Based on actual events. Recommended

Beautiful language and story

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The story is beautifully written.
The story, like the writing is compelling with many twists and turns right to its ending.

The Title of the book

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Loved the story and the male narrator but the super exaggerated Queen’s English accent of the female narrator seemed forced and was annoying beyond belief - especially when she did some of the male voices. The judge in the murder trial was cringeworthy. I get the point of it but it just didn’t seem natural and I was aware of her accent the entire book whereas it should have fitted seamlessly into the story and enhanced the experience.

It was a pity as it was an excellent story but my experience was marred by the somewhat OTT accent. The

Excellent story but rritating female narrator

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The male voice - unattractive and boring. Spoils an imaginative and gripping story written to perfection

The beautiful elegant way Tan Twan Eng writes

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Amazing story that captures and holds your attention especially the second half of the book. Well researched and beautifully written.

Gripping story

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The female voice was all over the place. one moment an affected, stilted English voice, and implausible male voice. Also mispronounced words. I found this voice irritating and it detracted from the story.

Interesting story marred by narrator

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