The Thirteenth Tale (2006)

9788426416049

Miss Vida Winter, a writer has spent 6 decades not only writing stories but also creating stories in the midst of answering interview questions from reporters. Vida has her own reasons for sidestepping questions with stories. But a reporter from the Banbury Herald has haunted her as he had simply asked her to tell him the truth.

Miss Margaret Lea works at Lea’s Antiquarian Booksellers with her father. It is primarily a place to read. Margaret prefers to read old novels rather than contemporary or a mixture. Her hobby is writing biographical essays giving life again to the individuals with fame so fleeting and long since forgotten.

Vida has written Margaret an intriguing letter asking for her presence at Angelfield House in Oxfordshire. As Vida has made specific arrangements for this visit to her residence Margaret has actually been summoned. Vida is ready to tell the truth to Margaret. Margaret hasn’t even read any of Vida Winter’s books. Margaret doesn’t write biographies of the living.

Will Vida Winter tell the truth if Margaret Lea accepts the invitation?

This is a mesmerizing read that captivates attention from the first sentence to the last. To realize this gothic tale, haunting and gripping, beautifully written as a story within a story, is Diane Setterfield’s debut novel is extraordinary.

My favorite quote of the novel appeared early. After reading Vida Winter’s letter, Margaret Lea shares: "There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts. Inside you they work their magic." Of the letter Margaret said, "For I was spellbound. Of Diane Setterfield’s novel, I was spellbound.

Book clubs will appreciate the "Discussion Points" available at the end of the novel. There is also guidance within "Enhance Your Book Club Experience that may be utilized to enhance the experience of all readers of the novel. Not to be missed is "A Conversation with Diane Setterfield" providing fascinating answers of her own to interview questions. ( )

A new favorite, kindred book. I devoured this one in just two days. I couldn't get enough of the story, and the story within, and they way the two unfolded and intertwined. It has everything: romance, ghosts, scandal... I found it to be brilliant, and absolutely didn't want it to end. ( )

A very good, modern (although the time setting is somewhat vague) semi-gothic sort of read with mysterious goings-on at an decaying estate, odd twins, faithful servants, an extraordinarily competent governess, mad women and questions of identity---all that good stuff. Themes of abandonment, loss, isolation, longing for love. A ghost or two. Maybe. I enjoyed it mightily.
2014 ( )

A world-famous but enigmatic novelist finally wants to tell her life story. She asks an antique bookseller to be her biographer. The bookseller has never read anything by the novelist, has little writing experience herself, and is dubious about the novelist's intentions. Why would a celebrated author need the help of this mousy young woman?

The first third of this modern gothic mystery is a wonderful, sprawling discovery of fascinating people, meticulously organized bookshelves, and countryside estates. The sumptuous prose takes its time to describe the world without ever lingering too long. The audiobook narrators use their rich, tremulous British accents to make the characters feel real.

The second third is just plot. It’s a decent plot about neglect, loneliness, grief, and insanity, but I missed the feeling of being swept off my feet.

I thought I would end up disliking the book, but the final third captivated me again with its emotional denouement. A few readers may predict how things out, but most will be surprised and satisfied. ( )