Fact Versus Fiction

The theme of fact versus fiction is explored throughout the novel, as Tan Twan Eng navigates the blurred lines between reality and imagination, history and myth. This theme is particularly exemplified in the case of Ethel Proudlock, whose trial becomes a focal point for exploring the complexities of truth and perception. Somerset Maugham himself was known for his tendency to blend fact and fiction in his work, drawing inspiration from real-life events and individuals to create compelling narratives that blurred the boundaries between reality and imagination. In "The House of Doors," Tan builds upon this tradition by weaving together elements of Maugham's own life and literary legacy with his own original storytelling, creating a layered and multifaceted narrative that turns the tables on the older author by subjecting him to the fictionalization of his life which he so often subjected others to in his...