The Thirteenth Tale

By Diane Setterfield

A #1 New York Times bestseller, The Thirteenth Tale is part contemporary, part historical with mysterious threads about family secrets and the magic of books and storytelling weaving the two together.

All children mythologize their birth . . .

So begins the prologue of reclusive author Vida Winter's collection of stories, which are as famous for the mystery of the missing thirteenth tale as they are for the delight and enchantment of the twelve that do exist.
     The enigmatic Winter has spent six decades creating various outlandish histories for herself. Now old and ailing, she at last wants to tell the truth about her extraordinary past. She summons biographer Margaret Lea, a young woman who is struck by a very curious parallel between Winter's life and her own.
     As Vida exposes the history she meant to bury for good, Margaret is mesmerized. It is a tale of gothic strangeness, of a remote estate, feral children, a governess, a ghost, and a devastating fire.
     In this love letter to reading, Diane Setterfield will keep you guessing, make you wonder, move you to tears and laughter and, in the end, deposit you breathless yet satisfied back upon the shore of your everyday world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Mar 16, 2009
• ISBN: 9780307371935

Diane Setterfield

Diane Setterfield is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Tale, and a former academic, specializing in twentieth-century French literature, particularly the works of Andre Gide. She lives in Oxford, England.

Reviews for The Thirteenth Tale

[sharrona_4 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Haven't listened to a book quite this bad for many years. Had I not been a "captive audience" on a long car trip, I would've quit. But the drive let me give the book every opportunity to improve. It didn't.

[litelady4ajh · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Great book! Definitely worth the read.

[sparemethecensor · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As other reviews have mentioned, this book is difficult to get into at the beginning, with the early chapters stretching on for far too long and the narrator not offering too much appeal in her own characterization, but once you get through those chapters and the story turns to Vida Winter's history, the novel really picks up and becomes difficult to tear away from. Margaret, whose love affair with books has been the defining element of her otherwise lonely life, is called to write the biography of Vida Winter, a famously reclusive English novelist who has spun innumerable (fictitious) tales about her origins to reporters in the past. Though at first hesitant, Margaret is quickly sucked into the tale Miss Winter spins -- the tale of Angelfield. Describing much about Angelfield risks giving too much away, but fans of gothic literature, old British estates or family mysteries will not be disappointed to uncover crumbling houses, twisted family relationships, blazing pyres and perhaps even a ghost or two in the midst. This is a long book, and given the early drudgery, you may be tempted to put it down. But fans of this type of story and setting should push through those early chapters. It's well worth it.

[jenmillar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book!! The writer has a wonderful way with words, its such an amazing read! From the first page I was totally enchanted by the story and could not put it down!! I really recommend picking up a copy and read it yourself, you wont regret it

[cestovatela · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book tells you early on what it's going to be: it's gothic, it has a beginning a middle and a definite end that won't leave any dangling strings. It was this ending I enjoyed more than any other part of the book. The story opens with Margaret Lea, the shy daughter of a bookseller, accepting a request to write the biography of reclusive writer Vida Winter. Most of the middle of the book is taken up by Vida's very, very gothic lifestory, which involves a governess, unmanageable twins, a possible ghost and a decaying mansion in the English countryside. Although this section read fairly quickly, none of the characters captured my interest because story is so very far-fetched. The ending, however, was a real surprise and Setterfield plays it fair -- the clues leading up to it are present almost from the beginning of Ms. Winter's narrative. So, while I found most of the book average, I did find the wrapped-up end logical, surprising and highly satisfying. I'd recommend this book if you enjoy high drama and heavy plot, but it's not something to seek out if you prefer realistic characters in believable situations.

[anniehidalgo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A good book. It came into my possession somehow, and once I started reading it, I couldn't stop until I read it through to the end. I've read reviews that say it is 19th century in feel, and I suppose it is a little Bronte-esque. I hope its author writes another someday.

[wdavidhurley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a well-written and entertaining first novel. It is in the gothic tradition. All we know for certain about the historical context (I think) is that there are cars. The characters are interesting, the story is intriguing and there is a twist ending. My wife guessed the ending, I did not.

[bohemiangirl35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As with many of the books I read, I picked this up from the library, knowing nothing about it. After listening, I learned that this 2006 debut novel from Diane Setterfield was much-hyped as the next Jane Eyre.Famous, reclusive and prolific author Vida Winter is dying. Over the years she has provided dozens, if not hundreds, of differing tales of her past, and she is now ready to tell the truth about her painful and horrific upbringing. She chooses shy and withdrawn Margaret Lea, daughter and partner of a rare book seller, to be her biographer. Vida's only caveat is that Margaret can't ask questions. She has to hear the story - beginning, middle and end - in order.Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it dragged in places. The mystery was not as much of a surprise as it was hyped to be. The story reminded me a lot of V.C. Andrews' Flowers In the Attic.Both narrators did an excellent job on the audio book.

[iudita_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I would have gladly read this book from cover to cover in one sitting if I had been able to. This is a wonderful grand story that is mysterious, engaging, compelling and thoroughly interesting. There is just no good place to take a break from your reading. If you like to be swept away in a great story, this is a book you want to read. I certainly hope Ms. Setterfield is working on a new book .

[bridgetmarkwood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it. Devoured it actually. Setterfield is an excellent writer/storyteller. Can't wait til her next book.

[ladybug74 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I did not like the beginning of this book and almost gave up on it early, but I am glad I stuck with it. Once Margaret meets Vida Winter and begins hearing her story and investigating it for herself, the book becomes very interesting. I never would have guessed what really happened, which is finally revealed near the end of the book. My guess was close when I read the part about the 2 girls playing in the field while Adeline was with the doctor, but I didn't quite have it right. I liked that this book surprised me in the end.

[jim53_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Others have recounted the story, so i will not attempt another summary. Instead I will try to list the things that I liked about the book: Ms. Setterfield's love of books and language is evident throughout. The book is for the most part a pleasure to read, in spite of some pretty unpleasant events. I tend to enjoy books that make use of other books that I have read and liked, and her use of Jane Eyre was very well done, enriching the current story. She takes Margaret away from her subject just enough to develop Margaret as a character (something I wish she had done a bit more) and link the historical story to its effects in the present "real" world, without letting us be too distracted or distanced from the story Ms. Winter is narrating. Her linking of the gothic story of Angelfield to a fairy tale reminds us of the cruelty that we often gloss over in hearing fairy tales. The pace of revelations is handled very well, as is Margaret's gradual insinuation into the life of Ms. Winter's household. The links between the tale Ms. Winters tells and Margaret's life are carefully drawn; as mentioned above, I would have liked a bit more of Margaret's own tale, but that might have ruined the balancing act the author performs. The style, the plot, the atmosphere, and the characters work very well together to create a memorable reading experience.

[mizcat_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

engaging read. ending was a let down.

[bgem_4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a book, I just could not put it down after the first two chapters. This book is for those who like a real suspense, drama, thriller story and do not want to know how the story end until they have gotten to the end of the book.

[springerluv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book

[nerdyapple · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I thought this was a really great story. There was a point where I guessed something that was later revealed. When I guessed it, I dismissed it as too hokey, though it turned out to be the case. I was really intrigued by the storytelling though. The only things I wasn't thrilled with were the secret and the ending as it just sort of wrapped up really quickly after more than 400 pages of details.

[zibilee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When Margaret Lea receives an unexpected letter from the famous author Vida Winter, she is a little perplexed. As an amateur biographer and clerk working in her father's bookstore, she thinks Miss Winter's request for her to create an uncensored biography of her life to be a little odd, as she has had little to no experience in writing professional biographies. In the past, Winter has been very elusive and wily regarding attempts at chronicling her life and seemed as content to feed her inquisitors a pack of lies as to ever give them the truth. Margaret, knowing this about the author and far from being a Vida Winters fan, is unsure if she is the right person for the job. Reluctantly, she agrees to take the commission and heads off for Miss Winter's large estate on the moors. When she arrives, she finds that Winter has become an invalid and that she wishes to finally tell the uncensored events of her life before her illness carries her away. As Winter beings the strange tale of her life, Margaret becomes entranced with the amazing story of the author and her twin sister. It is a Gothic tale of forbidden love, dark secrets, and dangerous jealousies that spark shocking betrayals, a tale that is full to the brim with madness. But as Margret delves deeper, she begins to discover that this tale doesn't only live in the past, for there are strange occurrences and sightings at the estate. As Margaret begins digging into the odd history of the family, she uncovers more strange and unexplained events that she must decipher for herself, and she finally discovers the secret and shocking truth about Vida Winter's past.I was pleasantly surprised by my reaction to this book. Though there were some aspects that I felt to be a bit over dramatized, I thought the author did a really great job of crafting a modernly Gothic story. The dark and fierce energy that permeated the narrative added a lot of ambiance and flavor to the story and I think that is what really gave the book it's genuinely Gothic feel.The were a lot of pieces to this puzzle, and instead of divulging them all at once, the revelations and mysteries wound themselves though the narrative to be exposed slowly. The tale of Vida Winter's life began with the story of her parents, two people who were mired in an illicit relationship and who were most certainly mad. I found that these sections were a bit bitter to digest, but beautifully crafted. Later sections dealt with the strange lives of the twins and the unbreakable bond they shared throughout their lifetime. This was where the story really picked up steam for me. The tale of the two girls was extremely unusual and interesting, while also being very sad and intense. I found they lived their lives in a very shocking and distressing manner, and it was not surprising to me that they turned out as they did after reading about their situation.There was a lovely subtlety about this story. Some aspects of the plot were not exactly spelled out for the reader, but rather implied with hints and suggestions. I think using that technique gave the story a lot of depth and penetration, and it was one of the reasons that I so greatly admired this book. The narrative was much more focused on plot, rather than the character-driven novels that I usually seek out, but I found this to be a pleasant change. I was pleased to see that the character creation was not given short shrift even though the book was mainly focused on plot, and felt that the characters were fully three dimensional and sympathetic.One of the remarkable things about this book was the way that the author was able to hold the tension throughout the entire narrative. As the book progressed and the suspense of the story grew, it was only slightly alleviated by minor revelations and able to continue it's growth toward the final chapters uninterrupted. This made for a very explosive and emotional climax, which I fully relished. The storytelling also had a very natural feel to it, and instead of the artificial style that you get in so may stories of this type, it was a much more organic and measured narrative. I didn't get the sense that the story was overly contrived, and despite the heightened drama, the story didn't feel manipulative.There were also a huge number of twists in the story. I have had other reading experiences where I felt that the author tried to do too much in one book, and ended up feeling that the author had used the ploy of engaging too many plot twists as a substitute for intelligent and moving writing. This is not the case for The Thirteenth Tale. Though there were many entanglements in the story, I didn't get the feeling that the author was trying to hide shabby writing with their inclusion. Instead it felt as though they were a perfect fit for the tangled life that Miss Winter had led.One of the other things that I really liked about this book was its focus on the pleasures of reading. Throughout the narrative, many of the characters digressed on their intense love of books and stories, and many of the story's scenes were related to literature and the written word. For a book lover like me, this was a great treat. I found the conclusion of the book to be satisfying as well. The author made sure not to leave any loose ends for the reader to speculate on, choosing instead to follow each thread of her story on to the very end.This was incredibly well crafted story that had a great sense of plot and action. It was also extremely well written and engrossing. I am probably the last to have read this book, and I'm sorry to have waited as long as I did to get to it. For those readers who really enjoy a plot driven book with a lot of juicy details and a well developed atmosphere, I think this book is a winner. A terribly good read

[jjsreads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

CD - really enjoyed this bc of audio.

[knithappened · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story had a flavor to it that transported you back in time to some classic mystery/ghost stories of the 19th century. Heroine Margaret is described very much like the classic spinster governess (think Jane Eyre which plays a role in the novel as well) and it is not surprising that she becomes so totally immersed in the life of Miss Winter and the intrigue that revolves around her true story. In a nutshell, Miss Winter (a famous writer with many novels to her name) decides after many years that she will share her true life story with no other than Margaret. Margaret travels to Yorkshire to sit with Miss Winter and listen to her history before the author dies. I really enjoyed the storytelling aspect of the tale and how Margaret pieces the truth together by listening between the lines. I have to confess that the book falls just short of the hype and I think that we will be done rather quickly with the review for reading group. I am sure that we will have a lively discussion about the comparison between this book and "The Keep."

[clara53_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Anybody who is crazy about books will enjoy the way the author describes Margaret's total addiction to them. Many of us on this site can relate to that. Like the auspicious time starting at 8 pm till 2-3 in the morning when her ordinary world stopped and her magical world of reading was in... Then, of course, there is the other part of the book dealing with her biographical research of a famous but mysterious writer who hires her to write her biography. The style is simple and unadorned but the tale makes you turn the pages with expectation.

[dchamp_4 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Way, way too long, too verbose, too many words. Not that interesting a story. Too dramatic. Repetitive. I listened to the audiobook and couldn't wait for it to end.

[debbiele · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a tale that sucked me in from the beginning and didn't let me go until the very last page and then I still just sat there and thought about it, let it haunt me for a little longer. It was literary fiction, it was a Gothic novel, it was a mystery, and for me it even turned into a tear jerker. I can't tell you exactly when anything in this novel takes place and that is because a date is never mentioned. It does nothing but add to the feel of the book, increases your wondering, increases the mystery. To say much about the actual plot, other than what it says in the synopsis, I think would be a bit of a spoiler. This story must unfold as you read it, as you become as invested in it as both Miss Winter and Margaret are. There are enough twists and turns and sub-plots to keep just about anyone interested. If you enjoy a well written, engrossing, haunting novel then I would suggest you give this one a try.

[ctmsnocr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield is about a girl named Margaret Lea and she works in her father’s antiquarian book shop. One day she receives a letter from England’s best known and loved author, Vida Winter. The famous author asks Margaret to come and interview her and write a biography about Vida. Margaret is amazed by this request and although she is an biographer, with few published essays, she doesn't feel ready. However, she decides to take Vida Winter's offer and there the story begins. Vida Winter is near the end of her life and wants to tell her story. Margaret asks only one thing: that she tell the truth and goes to extremes to assure that the truth is told.

[thatwoman_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[writersquill · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

With a flavor of Rebecca and Jane Eyre, this book explores the mystery of a well known novelist who gives each interviewer a different story of her life.

[moniica_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Synopsis: The world's most popular fiction author Vida Winter has fallen sick, and knowing she is nearing her death she hires Magaret Lea, a booklover who had never once read anything by her, to write her biography.It isn't easy for Vida Winter to tell the truth about her past, as she is used to the fictional world. But slowly, she begins to tell the story of Angelfield House, hidden for centuries.Magaret Lea tries to discover Vida Winter's connection with the house, unravelling many deep secrets.My Opinion: The mysterious plot confused, and sometimes even bored me for the first half of the book. It isn't until the main secret is revealed that everything starts to make more sense and create a more easy-to-read and enjoyable story, but this doesn't happen until near the end.

[moriquen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book immensly. I agree with the comment Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Howard made on the cover of this book: 'Anyone picking up this novel will not be able to put it down. Pick it up!'The book takes place in what I believe to be fairly modern times, but I could hardly shake the Victorian feel that emmanates from Mrs. Winters story. A beautiful and sad ghost story.

[spvaughan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I agree with the publisher's review completely. It was a fun story. My biggest objection is with the recording itself. Ms Redgraves has such a strong variation in her voice that to be able to hear when her voice was soft, you had to turn the volume up which made other parts very loud. Both women did great jobs reading the book with its various characters. If the sound editing had been better, Had this book's recording been better, I might have rated it as "amazing". As was, I could only say "I liked it" with such marvelous characters and story line. The other problem was with the abridgement...some of the shifts seemed off balance. If I invest in another copy, it will have to be unabridged whether it be hard copy or audio.

[mcg1975 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the ending of this book. While reading, I could tell that there was going to be a twist to it but couldnt guess the exact details so it was enjoyable until the very end to see how it fell into place. The book moved along quickly for me. It was one of those books where when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it and looking forward to when I could nestle in and read it some more. And now that I am done, it has stayed with me a bit.I would recommend this book and will probably even read it again. Great book!

[boabflower_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a great story from the first page to the last. Not sure what other reviewers didn't like about the beginning chapters, once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down!