Friday 16 November 2018

The Thirteenth Tale


The Thirteenth Tale - Setterfield, Diane
The Thirteenth Tale

By Diane Setterfield

“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.” (p. 8)

Margaret Lea is a bookseller and to her, reading is like breathing or eating; it’s essential to sustain life.  When she is commissioned to write the biography of famous novelist Vida Winter, she wonders why.  Vida has led her followers astray for years, recounting any number of fanciful tales as the story of her life.  All have proven to be false, until now. 

Vida is the quintessential storyteller; like Margaret, she lives and breathes stories. Born into a strange, almost outcast family, Vida is raised in a large house called Angelfield on the English moors. 

Vida’s story begins with siblings Charlie and Isabelle.  Disliked by his father, Charlie is a broken soul who cannot abide the way Isabelle is doted on.  He attempts to take his revenge on her, but shockingly, Isabelle proves as aggressive as her brother and the two form an unnatural bond. 

The next generation at Angelfield, Emmeline and Adeline, are twins who, as children, can only communicate in twin language.  Adeline, like her predecessors, is prone to physical violence which she forces on the submissive Emmeline.

Initially it is unclear where Vida fits in.  As Vida Winter is a pen name, the truth of her parentage unfolds over time.  Indeed the bizarre and somewhat sinister lifestyle at Angelfield involves many other characters and eventually culminates in a mysterious fire that leaves the house in ruins.

Margaret, as biographer, listens to Vida’s unbelievable tale and verifies her facts.  The darkness of the English moors seems to permeate her thoughts as her own family secrets haunt her.  Vida’s story brings Margaret face to face with her own demons, which she must eventually acknowledge.

The Thirteenth Tale is a gothic novel full of windswept landscapes, stormy nights, skeletons in the closet, family betrayals and life-long secrets.  If there was ever a book to read as the rain rages outside, this is it.  Put on some flannels, wrap up in a blanket, and settle into a riveting story, or what Vida Winter would call “[t]he soothing, rocking safety of a lie.” (p.5)

10 comments:


  1. I seriously love your website.. Excellent colors & theme.
    Did you create this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own site
    and want to know where you got this from or just what the theme is named.
    Cheers!

    Review my webpage - 오피 (jk)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is very useful, although it will be important to help simply click that web page link: ppc management

    ReplyDelete
  3. I learned absolutely everything about my question when I read this post, thanks to the author for the detailed description. I wrote my review on the essay service review you can go in and read. Thank you very much for your Visit devloping attention and other about its

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Thirteenth Tale has very nice story. The summary of The Thirteenth Tale you have shared in your article is very helpful for me to understand the context of The Thirteenth Tale.Now it's time to avail solar panels dallas for more information.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I learned absolutely everything about my question when I read this post, thanks to the author for the detailed description. It’s time to know about this Can Dogs Eat Spam for more details.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Our CompTIA 220-1102 practice test is the most reliable solution to quickly prepare for your CompTIA Designing CompTIA Azure Infrastructure Solutions. We are certain that our CompTIA 220-1102 practice exam will guide you to get certified on the first try. Here is how we serve you to prepare successfully.
    220-1102 CompTIA A+ Certification Core 2 Exam

    ReplyDelete
  7. "The Thirteenth Tale" is a captivating exploration of family secrets and the power of storytelling. Diane Setterfield's use of words and atmospheric setting create a captivating narrative. The characters, including Vida Winter and Margaret Lea, add layers of depth to the story, with Vida unveiling her own past and Margaret confronting her own demons. The novel's gothic elements, such as the foreboding landscape and Angelfield house, create an immersive experience that feels both chilling and alluring. The story explores the power of storytelling, the complexities of family dynamics, and the haunting echoes of the past. Setterfield's prose captures the beauty and mystery of storytelling while exploring the profound impact of words and narratives on our lives. The story lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned, inviting readers to contemplate the profound impact of words and the secrets they hold. abogados de accidentes de moto

    ReplyDelete