The Thirteenth Tale

You know how the mood of some books rub off on you? This one did that to me, but in a not so great way. There's just so much loss and freaking sadness. I was quiet and sad for two days after I finished it. I may be weird... but my mood is always affected by the books I'm reading.

This is the story of Adeline and Emmeline Angelfield, two very unique twins, told from the point of view of Vida Winter (a well-known and secretive writer on her death bed). The twins and their family live a secluded life and are an eerie mystery until now. It is well known that no one knows the truth about Vida Winter's life, and she has chosen Margaret Lea (also a twin) as the author of her story.

Throughout the entire book, the point of view switches between Vida and Margaret. You come to understand the story through Vida, and you come to understand Vida's true nature through Margaret. This story is beautifully crafted. Diane Setterfield intricately weaves words and creates an ominous tone that I love. You really come to see the beauty of reading and stories to connect people.

I was really engrossed at the beginning of the story. It starts off with just the right amount of delicious creep. Then it just kept getting sad, and distraught, and then almost hopeless. It slowed down some, and then picked back up after the twist at the end. I definitely didn't see the twist coming, it was so out of the blue that it felt disconnected.

The story centers on the bond of family and the ability to let go. It is beautifully tied up at the end (but in a sad way...)

But, the literary amazingness of this author is to die for...

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.

If not for the disconnect I felt about the plot, I would give this book a higher rating. I would definitely read Diane Setterfield again.

I haven't read many mystery novels, but this one caught my eye. The premise sounded interesting and other bibliophiles said that it was the type of book that book lovers would like. I wasn't disappointed. Not only was the mystery really good and characters memorable, The Thirteenth Tale feels like a gothic romance tribute to stories and book lovers, except without the romance...if that makes any sense. It's eerie and atmospheric and managed to keep me interested in the outcome all the way through. There were no mid-book lags and each piece of the puzzle comes together quite neatly, if kind of sadly at the end. I really loved the many lines about reading, books and stories peppered throughout, some lines will definitely go down in my all time favourite book quotes, they were written so elegantly. Well done novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend for anyone who enjoys a good creepy mystery and has a love for well-told stories.

This tale within a tale had me so engrossed I just lost four days of my nonworking life, and I was glad to be there. Fabulous. This tale of writer who is interviewing another writer about the “true” story of her life had me enchanted and on the seat of my chair just waiting to find out what really happened. Good read.