Creative Reviews discussion

by Diane Setterfield

4 stars

The whole time I was reading the book the thought that crossed my mind was that, is it possible to write a book like this now. Being a fan of classics by the authors of the likes of the Bronte sisters,Jane Austen, Dickens and so on I was really amazed when I encountered a similar style of writing and that too by a new age author . When I first started reading this book I didn't know what to expect and the only reason that I even picked up the book was that I found the title very intriguing. "The Thirteenth Tale" what was it? Why thirteen? What is so special about this tale?. The quest for the answers to these provocative questions was the catalytic factor which made me undertake a journey along with Miss Margaret Lea into the folds of the "Thirteenth Tale". Although I admit that as I progressed further in the story that was unfolding in front of me I lost track of what I came for and was just happy to sway along with the rhythm of the storytelling and let myself to be taken to another time,another era where all that mattered was the story. The rich narrative and the pace of the story reels you in with such a force that everything around you just seems to blur in to oblivion and you find yourself in Angelfield as an observer of everything that is about to unfold. The level of empathy that you feel for the protagonist Margaret Lea transcends all conventional aspects of likeness that keeps you rooted to the real world to cross a boundary which renders us speechless as the difference is inscrutable. Her love of books, the way she understands the undeniable role the books play as the gateway to a world far beyond comprehension, her perception of things makes you think whether she is voicing your own thoughts. The character of Vida Winters by itself is an enigma. There is part in the book where Margaret tries to deduce what made the character under scrutiny choose this name. What is the meaning of this name? Vida means life in Latin and empty in French and Winter means only one thing to her and that is death-The end that comes as a prologue to a new beginning. What makes anyone choose this name?. As for the character herself I found every sentence spoken by her a truth of life something so insignificant to be noticed and yet whose revelation leaves you stunned. When she said that politeness is a poor man's virtue and ambitious people are often less polite I found myself agreeing with her. In my experience I have also often found that ambitious people care less about what others think of them and do not consider it something which you should loose sleep over. The characters of John the dig and missus are also conundrums that will stay fresh in your memory even after their story ceases to continue. The existence of a ghost expressed subtly through out the story leaves you with an unexpected sense of chill that rattles you to the core and makes the ghost as much a part of the living as the other characters. In the end I did get what I came for and that is the thirteenth tale but by the time you reach the point were the tale revels itself you couldn't care less as the novel by itself has left you in a state of amazement. A thoroughly enjoyable read that leaves you in a state of completeness.

agreed

I loved this book. It was very well done!!

I enjoyed this book as well but the funny thing was I didn't like the written book as much as I enjoyed the audio book! How weird is that? Still a very good read.

I have the audio book for this as well, and the narrator was perfect for the book. I love audio books, and I think if they choose the perfect narrator, it really can make the book that much better!