Tan, Twan Eng 1972- creator author. text bibliography novel Biographical fiction Historical fiction stk 2023 2023 monographic eng 306 pages ; 23 cm "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."-- adult TAN TWAN ENG Includes bibliographical references Maugham, W. Somerset, (William Somerset) 1874-1965 Fiction Authors, English Fiction Interpersonal relations Fiction Pinang Island (Pulau Pinang, Malaysia) History 20th century Fiction 823.92 9781838858308 PPAK 240115 20240207120626.0 eng