Reviews

The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng

choy77's review against another edition

challenging informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

briente's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

nkojovic's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

heathercottledillon's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

bonnie9595's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

atomicyoghurt's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lmarck's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Loved this book. It was such a unique plot, and so fun to find a historical fiction that addressed queer characters in a realistic way while still giving them full lives. That being said the queer element of this book is by no means the main plot line so please don’t expect that going in. Overall highly would recommend this book especially if you plan to visit Malaysia ❤️

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual violence

deschatjes's review against another edition

4.0

The house of doors by Tan Twan Eng - I just adore how atmospheric his books are. We switch between the Karoo in the 1940s and Penang Malaysia in 1910 / 1920s and learn a lot about the life of W Somerset Maugham (all based on known facts of his life) - I love how the author has written the stories that the protagonist challenges him of shying away - that of the homosexual affairs & not just the normal infidelities.
Very cleverly we find different versions of the same murder story until we get at the truth.
We’ll worth a read. And the house of doors referred to sound like such a magical place! (& there are oblique referrals to characters in his other books)

bstorey01's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

notizhefte's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0