Wow that was a lot to take in. 3,5⭐ rounded up. The House of Doors is a novel that managed to capture the rollercoaster marriage drama, sexuality, murder, revolution, historical trivias in a back and forth timeline in 1920s Penang. 

Honestly, I didn't know anything about the background in this book. This is the first work of Tan Twan Eng that I've read. I never read nor familiar with William Somerset Maugham's work 😬 in short, this kind of story is out of my comfort zone.

Even without knowing the background, I found this enjoyable. Born and raised in Indonesia, there are a lot of familiarities which make the story easier to gulp. It's kinda too slow-paced for me, but the writing is exquisitely neat and even I can see it was well researched. It was also very atmospheric. It captured the sentiments very well. The discrimination, the judgement of homosexuality, the white woman trial, the commentary on women empowerment. Seeing in from our FMC 1st pov, Lesley, made it even better. The characters were also well written with their train of thoughts.

Thank you comment section for the historical trivias!! Im impressed with how this was written based on some true events with its own twists and changes. I can see how people are loving this story.

Thanks so much netgalley and Canongate publisher for the arc in exchange for honest review✨