BOOK REVIEW: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield ★★★☆☆

Tell me the truth.

For over six decades, ageing novelist Vida Winter has written the best stories, magically weaving words onto pages. One particular book by Vida, Tales of Change and Desperation, promises thirteen stories, but only twelve are present. Baffled journalists and biographers have asked about the thirteenth tale and for Vida’s personal story. Where was she born? What was her childhood like? There’s a certain mystery hanging in the air and Vida finds it easy to make up stories, rather than tell the truth. But those four words have shaken the very core in her. And it’s those four words that speak to young writer Margaret Lea, whose secret of her own birth cause, her pain.

Now old and ailing, Vida enlists Margret to finally tell the truth of her life; one that includes the Angelfield family and the house that burnt down, the beautiful Isabelle, the brother Charlie and the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline. Both women confront the ghosts that have haunted them, finally transformed by the truth.

Diane Setterfield is a British author, with her bestselling novel, The Thirteenth Tale published in thirty-eight countries worldwide, selling more than three million copies. Heyday Films adapted the book into a television film by playwright and scriptwriter, Christopher Hampton in 2013.

Mystery? Check. Gothic? Check. Historical? Check. It had the elements but I wasn’t quite sure on the delivery. It started with slow pacing and about fifty pages I was going to give up, but it did pick up. From shifting narratives, I could only relate to Margaret on the love for books (and I hope to run a bookstore like Lea’s Antiquarian Booksellers one day). Other than that she was so utterly, utterly tedious, drank too much tea and sulked about a certain loss of her life. Yes, we get it, but she would find any excuse to bring it up! Plus there is a plot hole that didn’t bug me too much but I won’t discuss it in this review.

Other than that, I admired the timeless feel to the story and the reference to Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. The author never states the year of both stories, so it’s assumed that the past Angelfield storyline happened in 20’s/30’s and the present day interview is 80’s/90’s. Certain characters got me turning pages like the governess Hester Brown, Aurelius, and John-the-dig, because they had substance, unlike Margaret. The ending was sad when Vida finally reveals what actually happened to her.

I may have ruined the surprise by watching the adaptation while reading the book but I have no regrets. Both worked great. I actually don’t know how to rate this book. It had great description but I think it was the first person narrative from Margaret that made this 416 paged novel blooming long for me to get through. If you were expecting a classic gothic ghost story like The Woman in Black or Rebecca then this book isn’t for you. But if are looking for a story within a story and don’t mind a boring character, then The Thirteen Tale may just be up your street.

Rating 3.5/5
Publishers: Orion Books
Publication Date: September 12th, 2006
Genre: Historical/Mystery/Gothic