The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield
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Book Reviews of The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel
Book Review: Stories within stories within stories!
Summary: 5 Stars
Dickensian in depth, scope and grandeur with the feminine overtones of Bronte's "Jane Eyre", staunchly upper crust British in its attitudes and values, Victorian in flavour and yet deliciously undated and entirely timeless, Diane Setterfield's "The Thirteenth Tale" is a spectacularly modern gothic murder mystery that will thrill its readers from first page to last. Truly enjoyable literary fiction without the stuffiness or pretentiousness so typical of this genre!
Vida Winters is a reclusive best selling novelist whose personal history has never been told. Actually, that's not quite right ... it has been told on numerous occasions! But it's never been the same story - nineteen journalists have had their chains yanked with nineteen thoroughly different stories, each of which was wilder and more patently false than the other eighteen! So when Margaret Lea, a little known biographer and the daughter of a quietly successful antiquarian book-seller received a letter from Ms Winters asking her to attend at her country estate to prepare her life story, Ms Lea had scant reason to believe that the famous author was actually prepared to tell her the truth!
But the story was told and what a story it was - an astonishing mysterious tale of a dysfunctional wealthy family, twins, insanity, murder, ghosts, abandoned infants, incestuous love, arson and more. And conveyed by an author whose command of her craft is all the more surprising and compelling for its being a debut novel! Setterfield's masterful prose, to steal one of her own phrases, will wash over its readers in an explosion of "vertiginous, kaleidoscopic brilliance".
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
Book Review: A rare 5-star book for bibliophiles
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished reading The Thirteenth Tale and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. I adore books and appreciate well-written ones and The Thirteenth Tale is certainly that! Oh, I was skeptical at first. It seems the fashion now to write a book on the coattails of another book or books--Wicked, The Reading Group, and so on. I am finding it increasingly annoying, this pattern and those "authors" who become authors by capitalizing on others' literary works. People, have you no spontaneous or original thought in your head, one to call your own? If not, then perhaps you shouldn't be writing! Because, those of us who enjoy reading original thoughts are turned off by those of you who choose to hijack others', manipulate them, exploit them, and call them your own. What talent does that take?
So, I purchased The Thirteenth Tale and read it cautiously. At first. However, it soon became very apparent that Diane Setterfield is an author in her own right. She is a master storyteller and I will seek out all other works she produces, as soon as she can produce them! This book was rich and the language was meaty and satisfying. The ending was satisfying, but like a great Thanksgiving dinner--while satisfied, I still would've consumed more, if there were more put in front of me. A book that induces gluttony--now that's a 5-star book. That's The Thirteenth Tale. I will spare you all of the summaries, all of the parallels drawn, all of the other synopses that so many reviewers have intimated. I will simply say that if you love books and love a good story, you must read this book.
Book Review: She needs to write some more
Summary: 5 Stars
The Thirteenth Tale is a story about two women. One is a famous author who's ill and whose life is soon coming to an end. Another is a young bookworm and bibliophile of a girl who lives a normal, simple life in her father's book shop.
The famous author is notorious for giving false statements, made up stories, and lies to people who have interviewed her. But for some mysterious reason, she decides to write to the girl telling her that after many years of lies, she is now ready to tell the truth; the real story of her life, for the first time.
Diane Setterfield needs to write more because I'm going to keep buying all her books! They're worth the money. Her writing is nothing less than exquisite. It has a gothic feel to it, reminiscent of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre.
This is the kind of book that I will definitely recommend again and again, most especially to lovers of great literature and profound writing.
The story is mysterious, addicting, unique, and exciting. There are many twists and turns; you have to keep reading. I found myself lost in the book by the first page until the end. It kept me trying to guess what was going on, as I kept thinking, that something was just off here. In the end, when it all tied up and the ending is revealed, I was pleasantly surprised. I did not see it coming. I don't think anyone can. It was great.
If you enjoy a really good story with realistic, lovable characters, intricate descriptions, and events that will keep you guessing, try this one. You can not be disappointed.
Book Review: Elegant writing, intriguing story, perhaps a bit slow, but worth it in the end - 4 1/2
Summary: 5 Stars
That's probably the longest title I've ever written for a review, but I think it sums up this book (and review) rather well. "The Thirteenth Tale" is this interesting, creepy, almost ghost story but real, Gothic-style (as everyone is so quick to call it) book that glides along smoothly (and a tad bit slowly, because of the elegance) and will provide readers with a fascinating tale. Whew. A lot of words.
What's not to like? Some readers may be put off by the slow feel. Stories within stories written eloquently and beautifully that build up slowly and carefully to an ultimate point may not be for all. One needs a certain level of appreciation for the classics (such as "Jane Eyre", one of the themes in this book) and the ability to read books that believe in telling the whole story in order to like this book. But for those who do, it's so easy to fall in love.
I liked "The Thirteenth Tale" quite a bit. I found the plot twists intriguing and the writing clear and well done. I, interestingly enough, was not bored by the book at all, and in fact could not put it down. I see how others might not like this book, with the air of mystery, the occasional disturbing parts (creepy or just frightening), and the overall old-fashioned air, but on the whole the book impresses. It's just kind of cool and yes - I enjoyed reading it. It's a good book.
It's not a book for all, but it's a pretty solid, comfortable recommendation to those who think an interesting, dark tale will be perfect for the night.
Book Review: Does the Truth Really Set Free?
Summary: 5 Stars
There were some strange circumstances surrounding my reading of this book. It was listed in an email ad I received I thought that it sounded interesting. A few days later, someone mentioned it on an email list that I'm on and I became even more interested in reading it. Then I went home and found it sitting on top of a box of books in my living room. I have no idea how it got there, nor does anyone in my family.
So you would think that when I read the book it had some deep hidden meaning that I was just meant to read! Well, no. But it was a really, really good book that I would recommend to anyone who love a brooding, gothic-type mystery. And its setting of the main character in the world of antiquarian books was especially interesting for a book lover like me.
Margaret Lea is summoned to the home of a famous author whose life has been shrouded in mystery and who is known for telling far-fetched stories about her past. Vida Winter asks Margaret to write her biography, but Margaret is skeptical of the author's claim that she wants to tell the truth at last. As the story unfolds, however, Margaret is drawn in. As the plot moved between the telling of the story and Margaret's efforts to corroborate it with visits to the author's childhood home, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat as I feverishly flipped the pages.
The Thirteenth Tale deals with secrets and their revelation and whether truth really does set people free. A very pleasant and satisfying read.