Book Review: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

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Mirror Post from Simply Femme!

"'Do you believe in ghosts, Miss Lea?' she had asked me. 'I am going to tell you a ghost story.'"

Just in time for Fall, and the spookiness of Halloween, a review of The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.

Suite 101 Review: Original found HERE.

This rich, multi-layered Gothic tale, in the tradition of Daphne DuMaurier and the Bronte sisters, grabs the reader from the first pages and doesn't let go.

"Do You Intend to Tell Me the Truth?"

The Thirteenth Tale is the story of Vida Winter, a best-selling British writer nearing the end of her life, and Margaret Lea, the youngish apprentice bookseller and part-time biographer, whom Ms. Winter has chosen to write her life story. The problem is that Ms. Winter has spent her life telling stories -- including 19 different ones about her background and childhood. Will she be able to tell the truth this time?

The Thirteenth Tale

The Thirteenth Tale is, of course, Ms. Winter's final tale. As it unfolds, the reader meets a troubled family, right out of the pages of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights, and a crumbling Gothic mansion called Angelfield. There is a secret garden, confused identities, and tragedy, all in the Gothic tradition. But, although this novel pays homage to those great novels that came before, it stands well on its own. To add another layer, Margaret has ghosts of her own, ghosts that are awakened as she hears Ms. Winter's story.

My Review:

When bookish and quiet Margaret Lea receives a letter from one of world's most acclaimed authors asking for her to come and write her life's story (of which she has provided multiple variations of throughout the years), Margaret is instantly confused and apprehensive, and yet at the same time, absolutely captivated. Margaret then embarks on a journey during which she not only uncovers the ghosts of Vida Winter's past, but also brings to light the skeletons in her own closet.

The Thirteenth Tale is a novel that I have read before, and have turned to once again to fulfill a craving for all things eerie and "gothic" that frequently arises this time of year. Once again, this story did not disappoint.

The Thirteenth Tale is full of creepiness and disturbed beings, as well as lovable, yet dark and brooding characters. Time seems to be a mystery in this story, and I often found myself imagining that this book was set in a time period closer to that of books such as Bronte's Jane Eyre (which gets frequent and adoring mention in this novel). However, mentions of modern items and aspects also threw me off track. The result seems to make the novel even more romantic and simultaneously eerie.

I would absolutely recommend this novel if you like a good spooky, and somewhat twisted tale. I can imagine this book as being perfect to read in a comfortable chair in front of a dying fire, while sipping hot cocoa (Margaret's favorite) on a cool October or November night. Of course, that's just me being overly romantic, but that's just why I loved this book so much. :)

So if you have a craving for all things mysterious, spooky and Gothic around this time of year, I would suggest picking this one up.

"Tell me this, do you believe in ghosts?"