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The Thirteenth Tale

By Diane Setterfield

(304)

| Hardcover | 9780752875736

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Book Description

Vida Winter, a bestselling yet reclusive novelist, has created many outlandish life histories for herself, all of them invention. Now old and ailing, at last she wants to tell the truth about her extraordinary life. Her letter to biographer Margaret Lea - a woman with secrets of her own - is a sumContinue

Critics

The full gothic treatment

Over the coming weeks you are sure to hear a good deal about The Thirteenth Tale. The author of this novel, a teacher of French literature living in Harrogate, has already netted 1.5 million pounds in advance royalties from British and US publishers ... (read full critics)

spectator published on Fri, 17 Sep 2010

The Best Reviews: Diane Setterfield, The Thirteenth Tale

"Gothic Twins!" Everyone loves a good story more than the truth! Vida Winter has become a prolific and hugely popular writer by fashioning her stories according to that stated belief. But now illness is rapidly diminishing her capacities, and she bel ... (read full critics)

thebestreviews published on Thu, 16 Sep 2010

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32 Reviews

4 people find this helpful

This book is extremely well written with many twists and turns. The plot is meticulously contrived and the writing fluid, easy to read. The dialogues are crisp and memorable. Be prepared for a surprise ending.
The characters are not adorable. In fact, they are quite sick and morbid. But t ... (continue)

This book is extremely well written with many twists and turns. The plot is meticulously contrived and the writing fluid, easy to read. The dialogues are crisp and memorable. Be prepared for a surprise ending.
The characters are not adorable. In fact, they are quite sick and morbid. But this does not detract from an enjoyable read.
If you love Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and alike, you will love this.

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Tracy W said on Apr 11, 2007 about the Others edition | 1 feedback

2 people find this helpful

I listened to the audiobook (unabridged version) and it was a real delight. Fabulous book, well written and very entertaining!
Characters that stay with you for a long, long time!

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Nini said on Oct 26, 2009 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

2 people find this helpful

The Thirteenth Tale

The Thirteenth Tale is the first book to keep me up reading till deep into the night since My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult more than half a year ago.
Although this book is not exactly a thriller with real ghosts and action, the excitement and tension given are no less at all. While reading ... (continue)

The Thirteenth Tale is the first book to keep me up reading till deep into the night since My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult more than half a year ago.
Although this book is not exactly a thriller with real ghosts and action, the excitement and tension given are no less at all. While reading this book, I felt as if there was a heavily-wrapped parcel in my hands. And as I progressed through the novel, it was as if I was unwrapping the countless layers of mysteries and secrets one by one, each with a rather curious knot which tied each layer tightly. And near the end, I felt the very last layer being torn apart too abrutly, and I literally felt a tinge of horror as I stared at the words that held the key to the whole mystery. And before I knew it, it seemed to me that as my hand reached the dull emerald, the heart of the whole parcel, it turned in to dust and disappeared as the wind caught it and flew far away forever.
Although it really is a little strange how Margaret Lea was able to uncover all the smoke screens and little secrets and discover the true secret behind it all so suddenly, the book has left me spellbound and made me decide to comment on this book immediately after I finished it, which is just some minutes ago when my mom told me it was time for lunch.
However, I must admit here that there are times that The Thirteenth Tale lost its magic on me, when I actually felt confused on who was really the one narrating. I think that you must be quite patient at times when your eyes do not wish to glue themselves to the pages of the book anymore.
But ultimately, this is a very special experience. With tears building up in your eyes, the uncomfortable aftertaste of the violent secrets still hang on to your mind stubbornly for quite a while. But yet, I enjoyed this book very, very much, I must say. I can probably say that it is nothing I have ever read before, or none other books have made such an effect on me.

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agnes.b said on May 2, 2008 | Add your feedback

Diane Setterfield weaves a fine mystery story with her expert dexterity in words and flair in writing. An excerpt:
"For nearly sixty years I have eavesdropped with impunity on the lives of people who do not exist. I have peeped shamelessly into hearts and bathroom closets. I have leaned over s ... (continue)

Diane Setterfield weaves a fine mystery story with her expert dexterity in words and flair in writing. An excerpt:
"For nearly sixty years I have eavesdropped with impunity on the lives of people who do not exist. I have peeped shamelessly into hearts and bathroom closets. I have leaned over shoulders to follow the movements of quills as they write love letters, wills and confessions. I have watched as lovers love, murderers murder and children play their make-believe."
The story itself is not terribly gripping, but the wonderful writing makes up for it.

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Holmes said on Jul 26, 2011 about the Others edition | Add your feedback

Fantastic book.
The incredible story of the Angelfield family will hold you spellbound.

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RickyV said on Jun 12, 2011 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

really not addicted until the few last chapters!
too many question mark during reading, until the end.... every question got answered, nicely answered!
it still took all my patient to finished this book!

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Brannie26 said on Mar 11, 2011 | Add your feedback