The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield
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Book Reviews of The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel
Book Review: Amazon Made a Great Recommendation
Summary: 5 Stars
To me, finding a new author whose works I enjoy can be a bit of a challenge. I am very particular about my reading material, requiring characters about whom I can care, a story that is always compelling, and language that keeps my interest. I find that I frequently turn to Amazon's recommendations, and once in a while, they pass me a gem. Such was the case with The Thirteenth Tale.
As other reviewers have commented, this is a Gothic thriller, in the vein of Wuthering Heights and its ilk. While not a genre I generally enjoy, The Thirteenth Tale contained such exquisitely drawn characters and stimulating plot that I could not put it down. My only disappointment was that the story ended. I wanted to read more of this expertly crafted work.
If you have a couple of days to devote to a good read, by all means, grab this book. But if you do not, be prepared to stay up all night or be tempted to call in sick to work, as this book will not easily be ignored in favor of real world responsibilities. The synapsis states that this book is for "the feral reader in all of us." I would go one further and recommend it for all rabid readers, as it is positively maddening in its obsessive plot. Enjoy!
Book Review: Sit down and let me tell you a story....
Summary: 5 Stars
Recently while on an extended two month hospital "holiday" I went on a book binge, devouring more than 30 books (strict bedrest, and I am so not a soaps sorta gal)
And this novel rose above them all as the most captivating, entralling book I have read in quite a long time.
It simply begs for a cold afternoon curled up in the corner of a dark paneled library...or a comfy chair.
Vida Winter is simply one of the most fascinating characters I've been introduced to in ages. And Diane Setterfield has drawn her so vividly you can almost see the rings flashing on her hands, and the vivid red of her hair when you meet her.
While admittedly I am not usually a fan of the Gothic style (too much mustly dusty atmosphere for my tastes) this delightful novel is almost enough to make me rethink my stance.
Its creepy and uplifting at the same time.
I loathe to give away the plots in reviews, because often the discovery of the eccentricities of the characters is a large part of the reading enjoyment.
But trust me when I tell you..this book has some real whoppers in the secrets department, and they make this book one of the best to come along in a very long time.
Highly recommended.
Book Review: Perfection
Summary: 5 Stars
Diane Setterfield weaves the story of Vida Winter's past seamlessly into the story of Margaret Lea's present. Both stories are utterly captivating. The scenery is so vivid and the characters so alive that the reader feels like part of the story. The plot is unique and fascinating, taking the reader through many twists and turns. This is truly a book one can get lost in. The story comes full circle and the ending is complete, yet I was disappointed to see the story come to an end. I so enjoyed my time spent inside these pages.
This is a novel obviously written by a true book lover. Much of the action takes place either in past or present libraries. And the author refers to many classic books, especially Jane Eyre. Throughout the book the author uses many reading metaphors to relate to everyday life. At one point Margaret is having trouble concentrating and the author relates this to being unable to close your mind on your previous book. She state that this is as leaving a book "with ideas and themes - characters even- caught in the fibers of your clothes and when you open the new book, they are still with you." This is the exact sensation I have after closing the cover on this novel.
Book Review: The Power of Story Telling and Twins
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked this book up expecting it to be worth about three stars. Boy was I wrong! I was drawn into the story in the first three pages and before I knew it, it was three in the morning. The story is narrated by Margaret Lea, a young biographer, who is asked by the famous author Vida Winter to write her biography. She unfolds the story by telling of a women named Isabella and her strange relationship with her brother. Then Isabella dies and the story is know on the two twins Adeline and Emmeline. The two share a unique, and twisted bond, speaking their own "twin language". There is the ghost, of course, which all great gothic novels have (think Jane Eyre), a slightly insane governess and doctor, and then of course the fire that destroyed everything. I found no plot holes and enjoyed the novel immensely. The only thing that I did not like about the plot was Aurelius. I thought that him being the long lost son was a bit to coincidental- and in all honestly I expected that to happen- and the character was very boring to me. He got his happy ending- which I found to be a bit to generic. All in all however this novel is a must read for any fans of gothic novels.Book Review: A STUNNING DEBUT NOVEL...
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a brilliant, elegantly written debut novel. Although it seemed to start off a little slowly, before I knew it, I found myself reading through the night, loathe to put the book down, so engrossed was I by the story. Somewhat gothic in feel, the plot will draw the reader in, like a spider to the fly.
Margaret Lea, a young bookish woman with a secret that haunts her and a penchant for writing biographies of obscure literary figures, is commissioned by beloved, popular author Vida Winter to be her authorized biographer. Ms. Winter, who has never before said anything about her life that was truthful, now wishes to set her story straight for posterity. While Ms. Lea is initially suspect at the author's request, upon meeting Ms. Winter she feels a connection and agrees to the commission.
Thus, Ms. Lea is led into a labyrinth of mystery, secrets, and a most unusual cast of characters. For her it is a journey that will prove most cathartic and will unlock her own closely held secret. With well-developed, interesting characters and a plot that is simply ingenious, I was riveted by this beautifully written book. Bravo!