The Thirteenth Tale
by Diane Setterfield
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Book Reviews of The Thirteenth Tale
Book Review: I intend to tell the truth!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Thirteenth Tale is a rare find and I hope that Diane Setterfield will turn into one of those rare authors who keep punching out great stories. This book deserves to be widely read and I believe it has already found a following. This definitely makes my list of favorites for 2007.
Setterfield proves herself a master manipulator as she gracefully twists the plot and characters in versatile ways that will keep you guessing even after you've finished the book. How's that for magic? If you've got it figured out ahead of time, I envy your ability of deduction. It would appear there are many still debating the outcome of the fire.
You'll want to pay close attention throughout the reading because this is not a flimsy work of art and it will suck you in, twist you up, and spit you out at the final climax. The novel is rich with complex characters and a compelling plot that will haunt you long after you finish the last page. It may start slow, but it picks up speed and barrels through the finish line.
Perhaps the ending was a little too pat for some, but after all the other heavy lifting, it was nice to have a quiet calm conclusion. For certain, the rest of the book will have you holding your breath, rereading passages, and wishing for more. I know it was a sad day when I finally came to the end of the book. And, though I loaned it out, I asked for it back so I can reread it one more time. It's that good. What better endorsement can one give? It's hard to believe this is a first novel and I pray it won't be Diane's last.
This is a finely structured story of madness and mayhem, lunacy and eccentricity, love and friendship, in the typical gothic English setting but not during the typical timeframe of most gothic novels. Though some may not care for this type of mystery, I found it compassionate, stimulating, and thought provoking. And though it echoed of Bronte and others, it stands on its own merits and deserves to be read for its own intrinsic worth.
I highly recommend this book, read it, share it, and cherish it.
Book Review: Easily the best story I've read in quite a while.
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't get a chance to say this as often as I'd like, but `The Thirteenth Tale' is easily the best story I've read in quite a while. I utilized the word `story' as opposed to `book' because many books simply don't tell a meaningful, moving, and complete tale as well as this Diane Setterfield debut. From beginning to end, it moves evenly along with descriptive and colorful characters in ever entwining and perplexing situations, yet written in interesting and understandable prose. It took a little time getting used to the sudden changes in grammatical first person narration, though it became effortless once realized.
`The Thirteenth Tale' is a mysterious and ghostly story of mortal existence, family skeletons, and the grief suffered from life's trying disappointments and unfortunate fate. It's a story of love and personal closure. It's an intricate story of twins. But most of all ... it's a puzzle.
Margaret Lea, a young writer whose father is the owner of a small book store, is asked by an aging author to write her biography. She's summoned to the house of the famous yet sickly author, Vida Winter, to hear her story told slowly and delicately. The past is brought to life, yet Margaret is constantly left to read between the lines and decipher the mystery for herself. Vida tests her wits and psychological framework by supplying her with only pieces of the puzzle, while insistent upon hearing her story as well. Margaret was chosen for a reason.
After all, everyone has a story.
Meanwhile, the reading public is puzzled by the fact that Vida's collection of stories is missing the thirteenth tale. However, Vida is quite aware of the existence of her final, yet most magnificent story of all.
In fine British prose, by an author who is blatantly in love with the works of Emily Bronte, Charles Dickens, and Jane Austen, and who appears to be following down that virtuous novelist path herself, `The Thirteenth Tale' is a heartwarming and melancholy story of truth brought to the surface. I enjoyed it immensely.
Book Review: Vivid, Artful Prose -- Unfortunately, the Story Disappoints
Summary: 3 Stars
I came to "The Thirteenth Tale," by Diane Setterfield, with high expectations. I'd recently finished "The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafón--a book I enthusiastically reviewed here--and I'd heard from a number of trusted sources that this book was similar in tone, and equally as good. In addition, it was the next selection on my book club list. How could I miss?
I started it on a miserable February morning, shut inside with my cat on my lap--the perfect setting, I thought, to do homage to a contemporary Gothic. The book quickly drew me into another world, all the sights and sounds of my real world fell away, and I was utterly lost in the story--keenly feeling, seeing, hearing and sensing this other strange bookish mysterious world. I was totally entranced by the first one-third of the novel--fully convinced I was reading a magnificent four- or five-star contemporary Gothic revival. In particular, I was in awed by beautiful passages of prose that pulled me briefly away from the story to savor their artful construction.
But the further I got into the book, the more dissatisfied I became. But by the end, I was disappointed--the story just did not measure up to its early promise. Ultimately, the story became absurd, unbelievable, and uninteresting. When I turned the final page, I felt I'd wasted my time...that I would have been better off spending my hours reading another book, perhaps rereading a favorite authentic 18th- or 19th-century Gothic classic.
I moderately recommend this book because the writing is intoxicating--the other world is described with such vivid richness that the reader lives within the pages, seeing, hearing, and feeling what goes on there. Dianne Setterfield has definitely snagged my attention, and I look forward eagerly to reading her next book. She is an author with undeniable skill and artistry--I just hope she puts that mastery to use on a novel with greater believability, purpose and meaning.
Book Review: Truth be Told...This book is FULL of imagery!
Summary: 4 Stars
Avid readers across the globe will truly *love* to feast their eyes on this novel by Diane Setterfield. Why? Because it's one of the most descriptive novels I've ever laid my hands on, and thats saying something!
"The Thirteenth Tale" follows the story of Margaret Lea, who is a shy, soft spoken woman who works in her father's book shop, and posesses a voracious love of books, reading, and words. Margarent is shocked to learn that Vida Winters, a much acclaimed novelist who is notorious for feeding a different life story to every journalist who interviews her, wants Margaret to pen her *real* autobiography! Nobody knows the real life story of Vida Winters! However, Ms. Winters has grown very old and sick, and has very little time left. She wants the truth to be told before she passes. It's almost too much for Margaret to consider, but she soon changes her mind as she quickly becomes deeply engrossed in Ms. Winter's tale. Will Vida Winter's final life story be proved true? Or will she have the last laugh in bestowing one final tall tale to Margaret?
This novel is so rich with language and imagery, I almost can't find the words to describe it! If you enjoy a lot of characterization, then this is the book for you. It captivates you from the very first chapter, and holds you until the very end. With the unveiling of each portion of Vida Winter's story, you are left dying to find out what happens next.
As she begins to tell Margaret her story, Vida Winters insists on the importance of stories having a beginning, a middle, and an end. Since Margaret *insisted* on having some measurable form of proof, in terms of cold hard facts, that the story Ms. Winters is telling her is the absolute truth, Vida Winters had to tease us with a small portion of the end. Afterwhich, the story progresses through the natural stages of beginning, middle, and end. As Vida Winters points out...this might be what makes the novel so hard to put down!
Bottom line, it's an enthralling read, and a beautiful story. You won't be disappointed.
Book Review: Too cliche and pretentious
Summary: 3 Stars
Like "The Kite Runner", this book receives rave reviews. I have read both books and think that they are entertaining but would stop short of calling them great literature. Just like a lot of bestsellers these days, these two books follow a certain formulas/rules obviously taught at writing courses. Incidentally, the author of this book used to teach a writing course, and the author of the "The Kite Runner" started writing after attending a writing course.
Add a little bit of suspense here. Add a little bit of tear jerking sentiment there. Throw in a bit of romance and a few lines of supposedly sadness or malancholy. Voila! You have a bestseller which is ready to be filmed. There is even no need to hire a script writer. I call these books written for movie and easy consumption of the readers and viewers.
This book is supposed to be about twiness and loss. But the author fails to convey the depth of feelings supposedly felt by twins. All we get is the heroine, Margaret, wondering around moaning about the loss of her twin, and how Adeline and Emeline went into shock when they were separated. To me those are very shallow attempts at tackling the subject matter indeed. Keep repeating the words "sad", "loss" just do not cut it. A more skilled writer will be better at conveying these sentiments without even using these words.
Perhaps the fact that this book is well received says much about our MTV-fast food culture. Readers expect the usual cliched but easily digestible suspense, violence, sex, dysfunctionality, romance, with a happy and definite ending. Nothing too challenging for the brain. Nothing too uncertain. Nothing requiring reflection.
What happens to books which make one think and reflect, instead of books which spoonfeed their readers with ready made sentiments?
If you like a Gothic story, there are better ones out there like "Jonathan Strange and Dr Norrell".