The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield

Read for: RIP IV Challenge, Herding Cats II

I cannot imagine there are many bloggers out there who have not yet read this book, but if there are, I heartily recommend you push it to the top of your lists!

The Thirteenth Tale is the story of Vida Winter, a best-selling novelist who in her old age has finally decided to tell her life story. Her real life story that is, not the countless fictional stories she has told journalists in the past. To do this, she decides to hire Margaret Lea, a bookseller and obscure part-time biographer, and invites her to the crumbling Gothic mansion of Angelfield, reminiscent of Daphne Du Maurier's Manderley. Margaret agrees to undertake the task and soon becomes captivated by the mysterious Vida Winter and the truths and lies that are so intricately woven into her life. Slowly, the true story of Winter and Angelfield unfolds, with twists and turns worthy of the greatest Gothic novels. Parallels with Margaret's life become apparent, and both women eventually have to confront the ghosts of their pasts.

It is hard to believe that this is Setterfield's first novel. The depth and quality of her writing belies a far more experienced novelist. Angelfield is itself a character in the story, silent and haunting, concealing the true events of the past, revealing them only in part as Margaret's investigation continues. It is the house that intrigued me most, this house that had seen so much, contained so many secrets, with no voice to betray them. And Setterfield's use of language is fabulous, the story rolling off the page in a deliciously rich and classic style, yet without pretension. The house becomes alive and with it, the stories of the wilful Isabelle, and most importantly, the strange twins, Adeline and Emmeline.

It was recommended by several bloggers that I wait until I had read Rebecca and Jane Eyre before picking up The Thirteenth Tale, and I am so glad that I did. Although the stories are quite different, and the protagonist connected with the story and the house through far different circumstances than Mrs de Winter and Jane, the books have a similar feel to them, and TTT is clearly an homage to the other classics. However, I did not expect to be so drawn into this mystery and so captivated by its characters and the missing titular Thirteenth Tale. A truly enjoyable read.

I read a description somewhere that The Thirteeth Tale was "a love letter to books and reading". I couldn't agree more.

Other blog reviews:
Becky's Book Reviews
Bold.Blue.Adventure
Melody's Reading Corner
Stainless Steel Droppings
Valentina's Room

(let me know if I have missed yours)