Book Review: The Thirteenth Tale
A Brilliant Debut Novel by Diane Setterfield
If you read just one mystery novel this season -- or this year -- make it "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield.
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 Anglefield, reminiscent of Rebecca's Manderley. 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.
The Forgotten Craft of a Well-Written Novel
It's hard to believe that The Thirteenth Tale is a first novel. The prose is rich and nuanced and the grammar is perfect -- a rarity these days. The frustrated English major in me really shouldn't be bothered when other authors miss the subjunctive "were" for "was" -- or "whom" for "who" – or even "that" for "which", but how delightful it is to read a novel where all of these grammatical subtleties are respected.
The Thirteenth Tale is a wonderful and unexpected surprise. If you're a fan of DuMaurier, Bronte, Dickens, or even Agatha Christie, you're sure to enjoy this novel.
About Diane Setterfield
From the back cover of the book: Diane Setterfield is a former academic, specializing in 20th French literature. She lives in Yorkshire, England.
Book Club Discussion Questions for The Thirteenth Tale
Looking for discussion questions about The Thirteenth Tale for your book club? Take advantage of these questions by Erin Miller, from About.com's Bestsellers site. Spoiler Alert: The questions contain information about the plot and ending of the novel. Click here for the questions.
