The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng

Such a beautiful story that describes the Federation of Malaya's history of colonialism and the events that focused on the European community circa 1910-1940. The story of Lesley Hamlyn who recollects her life in Penang. Her husband, Robert invites his friend, William Somerset Maugham, a famous writer to recuperate from a terrible phase of life. She became close to Willie and wants him to write a book about her 'little secret'.

An alternating point of view of Lesley and Willie through periods revealed a secret affair, the Chinese revolution, a murder prosecution and racial disparity during colonial times. What I enjoyed most about this story, was the setting and description of the former British colony. The details and the action in the story are a mix of actual events and an imaginative reconstruction. How the author created Willie and Dr Sun Yat Sen as protagonists is commendable. I even did some research on google while reading and wishing that mr tan would write about William Kellie-Smith in his future story. Hiks🥲

The House of Doors has been longlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize. 4.5 ⭐️ Thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing for the review copy. Opinions are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online store

📚

#donereading #TheHouseofDoors by #TanTwanEng #igreads #emabaca

#igbooks #goodreads #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview

#malaysiamembaca

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

I understand why this book is so hyped within the book community. I know I am several years late to the party and admit right away that I'm not a fan of queer novels. The ironic thing is though it did have some good morals. This book is a raw and emotional journey of Jude St. Francis.

He is a private person. He has a history of self-injury and the seriousness of suicide attempts. He was in an abusive relationship with long-term reverberations and never discussed with anyone. But he had friends, foster parents who love him and adulthood that people dream about. The last chapter is the most moving chapter in the whole book. It makes this book so real. Many people aren't happy in life ruminating on the past, and tend to repeat these negative thoughts. Another reads to torture your mind.

 

 

🖤 HAPPY PUB DAY ‼️

Experts say that crimes being committed while sleeping is a real phenomenon yet rare. Anna O is a suspenseful and captivating psychological thriller that revolves around Anna who was found asleep in a cabin with a kitchen knife beside 2 bodies of her best friends in 2019. Despite numerous attempts to rouse the suspect, Anna remained asleep and unresponsive.

After 4 years, the authority gave a temporary release to her into secure custody for a new treatment plan. Dr. Benedict Prince, a forensic psychologist claimed to have developed a new diagnostic method to wake her up from resignation syndrome theoretically. The only way to help Anna is by discovering more about her past.


Perhaps it really intricate murder case but to claim a perfect murder is a too strong statement. Anna's obsession with a true crime likely has led a secret events leading up to murders. This book was a slow burn that turned into an inferno. 4.3 ⭐️

Thanks to @times.reads and @putrifariza for the review copy. My opinions are my own 💙

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores