The Thirteenth Tale

Diane Setterfield's debut novel The Thirteenth Tale is an intrigueing, dark tale of an unusual family. Writer Vida Winter is dying and wants to tell the truth about her life so engages bibliophile, Margaret Lea, to write her story. Much of the story is told in the first person, by Margaret and then by Miss Winter as she relates her tale. It is the story of twins, family madness, mysteries, abandoned babies and acknowledges earlier great writing with references to Jane Eyre and other classics. The reader becomes ensnared in the story and there are many twists and turns before the final truth is revealed. This is brilliant writing. There is a fabulous quote that all avid readers can relate to: "Do you know the feeling when you start reading a new book before the membrane of the last one has had time to close behind you? You leave the previous book with ideas and themes - characters even - caught in the fibres of your clothes, and when you open the new book they are still with you." 5/5