The Thirteenth Tale is an adult contemporary novel with a classic gothic mystery feel by Diane Setterfield.
Oh. My. Gosh. This book is fantastic!!!
Margaret Lea leads a quiet, book-loving life that all of us bibliophiles would adore – working in a book store and whiling away the hours reading.
Her passion for literature extends to a fascination with non-fiction. She loves letters, journals – anything that ties her to people who are now deceased. Margaret has even written a few minor biographies on lesser known figures.
When she receives a letter from one of the most famous contemporary authors of the day, Vida Winter, she’s floored to discover that Ms. Winter wants her to write her biography.
For years, Vida has given numerous, glittering stories when asked about her life.
Not one of them true.
Apparently now, old and ailing, she wants to finally tell her story.
Unable to deny her curiosity, Margaret joins Vida at her reclusive estate and starts a routine of hearing Vida’s life stories in the library.
The tale is full of madness, strangeness and a gothic mystery that Margaret is enthralled in.
And with the telling Vida and Margaret both find they must equally confront the ghosts of their pasts, and the deep pain lying there…
Oh, my description can’t even do The Thirteenth Tale justice!!! I might as well just give up!
This is now one of my favorite books. Just as the blurbs say on the inside and outside jacket cover – this novel harkens to novels like Jane Eyre and Rebecca in its excellent gothic vibe, yet manages to be a contemporary novel.
Diane Setterfield writes with such a poetical, entrancing language that pulled me in and very quickly started to wrap me up in intrigue, mystery and book-loving wonderfulness.
I loved reading about a character who loved reading as much as I do!
My bibliophile heart was quickly being tugged with lovely, silkily-woven prose and disturbing, eerie tales of the past.
Book magnetism, indeed!!!
The Thirteenth Tale is effective, haunting, and stayed on my thoughts constantly. It’s undeniably addictive and absorbing.
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED everything about it!!!
Twists, tingles, edge-of-your-seat mystery, emotional, shocking, amazing – PERFECT!
The Thirteenth Tale was stunning in every way – and I will recommend it to EVERYONE!!!
Now, this is a novel with adult, disquieting themes at times – but at its heart is a human mystery, a beautifully written, powerful gothic novel to be adored, relished, and re-read!
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