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The Thirteenth Tale
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
When Margaret Lea opened the door to the past, what she confronted was her destiny. 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 life histories for herself -- all of them inventions that have brought her fame and fortune but have kept her violent and tragic past a secret. Now old and ailing, she at last wants to tell the truth about her extraordinary life. She summons biographer Margaret Lea, a young woman for whom the secret of her own birth, hidden by those who loved her most, remains an ever-present pain. Struck by a curious parallel between Miss Winter's story and her own, Margaret takes on the commission. As Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good, Margaret is mesmerized. It is a tale of gothic strangeness featuring the Angelfield family, including the beautiful and willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess, a topiary garden and a devastating fire. Margaret succumbs to the power of Vida's storytelling but remains suspicious of the author's sincerity. She demands the truth from Vida, and together they confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming, finally, transformed by the truth themselves. The Thirteenth Tale is a love letter to reading, a book for the feral reader in all of us, a return to that rich vein of storytelling that our parents loved and that we loved as children. 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 life.
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PageShifter
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

Characters felt realistic and it was easy to relate to them.

I love gothic stories and that was one of the things I loved in this book too. The thing I didn't love was the writing, it was a bit too detailed for me.

Pacing felt a bit slow because things were revealed extremely slowly.

The twist at the end was extremely unbelievable.

SilversReviews A favorite. 3mo
25 likes1 comment
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BarkingMadRead
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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@emz711 thank you so much!!! 😍😍😍 congrats again!!

emz711 Happy reading 5mo
dabbe Ooh, this is a great book! 🤩 5mo
Graciouswarriorprincess I love this book so much! I first read it camping almost 15 years ago now. 5mo
emz711 Have you read these before? 4mo
BarkingMadRead I haven‘t! 4mo
40 likes5 comments
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dabbe
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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TheEllieMo
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

Crazeedi Great book 9mo
JanuarieTimewalker13 Read this years ago but remember loving it! 9mo
40 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LeticiaToraci
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Lol

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staci.reads
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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#12Booksof2022 This one was another one recommended on the #WSIRN podcast, and the way she described it made me want to get my hands on it immediately. A fantastic, twisted dark tale. @Andrew65

dabbe Amen to that! #twistedindeed 1y
Andrew65 A very popular choice. 1y
54 likes2 comments
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Honeybeebooks
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

A celebrated author, Vida Winter, decides it is finally time to tell the true story of her life. She selects Margaret Lea, a young biographer to tell her story. Ms. Winter‘s tale slowly unfolds, but as each chapter is told and secrets are revealed the greater mystery remains. I enjoyed the book but I was left a little dissatisfied.Three ⭐️‘s for an atmospheric, quirky and definitely strange tale.

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Cazxxx
The Thirteenth Tale | Diane Setterfield
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emz711 One of my favorite books! How are you liking it? 1y
Cazxxx @emz711 Really liking it so far 😊 1y
53 likes2 comments
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dabbe
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

I loved it; to work in an antiquarian bookshop and read books all day would be THE DREAM JOB of all time. Having the story lead into a dark mystery with tragic pasts only made the novel more enjoyable and took my mind off the daily problems of life. The book left me wanting to know more and not wanting to leave the characters. A thought-provoking page-turner with majorly dark undertones; be ready if you read it.

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staci.reads
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

Such a dark, Gothic tale! This one was recommended on a podcast, and the way the podcaster described it was a mix of Jane Eyre and Rebecca. It definitely had the same dark, mysterious vibes, but I'd say it's equal parts Wuthering Heights. It's a book written for people who love books, and it's a story about the power of stories. Beautiful writing with both lovely and truly horrible characters. I loved this one ❤️

NatalieR I loved this one too! It‘s a fantastic novel. 🥰 1y
68 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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jen_hayes7
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Did a little audio baking tonight! The other half‘s birthday is on Sunday and muffins were requested for the occasion! Banana chocolate chip. 🤤 #vegan #audiobaking

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hissingpotatoes
The Thirteenth Tale | Diane Setterfield
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Bailedbailed

1.5/5⭐ The writing at the beginning is beautiful, but what plot exists falls into bizarre bleakness real fast. #roll100

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AmyK1
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

This was a reread for my IRL book club and I think I liked it more the 2nd time through than the first!

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wideeyedreader
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

My irl book club‘s second pick!! This one‘s a reread for me, and I love it so, so much. For sure a good read if you like Jane Eyre and other gothic fiction!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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MittenGirlPeach
The Thirteenth Tale | Diane Setterfield
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My goodness, @AmyK1 , you‘ve outdone yourself! I love that you‘ve read and enjoyed most of the books you chose and that you included comments! The one I tagged sounds perfect for the season. Cheese straws and ghiradelli: what can I say: They hit the bullseye for me. Th socks are just right: they fit perfectly. The tea and the mug will be used tomorrow, and I‘m a writer and a journaler, so 💅 to the notebook and stickers! @Avanders #fffs

AmyK1 I‘m so glad you like everything! I had a great time shopping for you. There should have been a bookmark in there too… 1y
Avanders 🍁🍂♥️🫶🏽 love that mug! 1y
31 likes2 comments
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Christyco125
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

I should have waited for a more cloudy and cooler weather to start this #audiobook. This was a wonderfully atmospheric story with just enough twists to give the mystery some teeth. Loved this.

Ruthiella One of my favorites! 2y
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lauraisntwilder
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

Loved this! It was creepy (in a good way), with a big, crumbling old house. There were twins sisters, multiple time periods, two beautiful gardens, and an antiquarian bookshop. What else do you need? Reminded me of reading Kate Morton.

jlhammar I hope we get a new Diane Setterfield soon! I've enjoyed all of her books. 2y
lauraisntwilder @jlhammar I'm excited to read her others now. 2y
12 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield

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 fibers of your clothes, and when you open the new book, they are still with you.

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coffeebooksandchaos
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
Mehso-so

The Thirteenth Tale was a mixed experience for me. The beginning was so slow and took quite awhile to get a hold of my interest. At about the halfway mark, I did become fully invested in the story and the pace improved. However, by that point I was frustrated with the pace of the beginning portion. All that said, this book tells a compelling story. This book weaves a complex tapestry of the lives of the characters. And , oh, Aurelius..my heart! ❤️

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deirdrebeecher
The Thirteenth Tale | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

I feel like it has been a while since I read a really good book and this is really fecking good. Beautifully written at a slow pace that allows for very rich description and atmosphere while not sacrificing tension. The Characters are vivid, even the 'girl listening to the story' is herself an interesting character. Technically it is a country house mystery, but more in the vein of Rebecca or Atonement. Strong pick.

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lauraisntwilder
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Stop number 2 for Independent Bookstore Day: The Book Inn in Fairhope. This is a used bookstore and the cover of the other book I got needs some TLC (sticker residue, etc) and was NOT ready for pictures.

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jenniferw88
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Andrew65 Own this and need to read it. 2y
64 likes2 comments
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jenniferw88
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick
Oryx Enjoyed that one too 2y
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mrp27
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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October #bookspin pick. I‘ve tanked at reading my picks the last few months but hoping to change that.

BookDadGirlDad Oh....this is so deliciously good! It will twist your head!!! 2y
JamieArc Great month to read this book! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Good luck!! 2y
mrp27 @BookDadGirlDad @JamieArc This has been on my tbr for years, looking forward to it. 2y
23 likes4 comments
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Laughterhp
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

So glad I finally read this book! It‘s been on my TBR for way too long. Probably the book longest on my goodreads TBR.

This book was so atmospheric. A perfect fall read (that I read in august). I accidentally started listening to the abridged version on audio. Once I got a bit in and stopped listening to the abridged, I picked up the print book.

I‘m probably the last person to have read this book. Thanks for the book! @inthegreensandblues

WJCintron 😍 😍 cute dog!!! 3y
Bookzombie I still haven‘t read it! It‘s been on my TBR for a long while. 3y
DivineDiana Still on the TBR! 3y
Gailthurber Loved this book - a great surprise for the first book I have read from this author. Will def read more from her. 2y
59 likes4 comments
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smjohns
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

I loved this book! I have had it on my shelf for so long, why didn‘t I read it sooner!? Going to look up more by this author.

Moonprismpower I keep a copy on my shelf so I can loan it out. It‘s always a book I recommend. 😃 3y
Tera66 This one was so good! 3y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Laughterhp
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Ahh! I accidentally started listening to an Abridged version of this book!

I thought it was weird a 400 page book was only 7 hours on audio and just figured out where it says abridged.

Now what?! I‘ve gotten 29% into it and dunno if I should try and find the unabridged version and start over.

SilversReviews Yes. Read the entire book. It is so good. 3y
megnews I liked this one a lot 3y
Kimberlone Wow why do they even make abridged versions of books that aren‘t even that long to begin with?! I can see the appeal of an abridged version of War and Peace or Les Miserables, but not this one ☝️ 3y
megnews @Kimberlone exactly! 3y
51 likes1 stack add4 comments
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JillR
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

Well this was a nice surprise. I didn‘t have high expectations for some reason, but I absolutely loved it! I love it when a book does that. Reading this was like a cosy hug. A well told story, a nice bit of mystery combined with a family saga, a narrator who prefers books to people, and some ghosts and other things sprinkled through. Just a good, old fashioned story that I could not put down all week and was just what I needed.

rockpools Sounds good! Stacked 🙂 3y
TrishB I loved this too ♥️ 3y
See All 8 Comments
JillR @trishb have you read her more recent one? 3y
TrishB Once Upon A River? Yes- loved that too 👍🏻 3y
JillR @trishb I didn‘t fancy it when it came out for some reason but will definitely get to it on the back of this one, glad to hear you loved it! 3y
SilversReviews Ohhhhh….this is a FAVORITE!! 3y
JillR @silversreviews so many people seem to have loved this, I‘m not sure how it passed me by until now! 3y
42 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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megnews
The Thirteenth Tale | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

An atmospheric tale with an unreliable narrator. Is anyone who they seem? Not 100% in my usual genre, I‘ve had this off and on my tbr a few times. I‘m so glad I got to listen to it on the way home from a road trip. I recommend the audio.

Crazeedi I liked this best of the ones I've read by her 3y
megnews @Crazeedi this is my first by her. It was really good. 3y
Moonprismpower Ah one of my favorites. 3y
57 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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sharread
Thirteenth Tale | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

The writing style was so beautifully unique. This Gothic tale spreads across a varied line of stories. I think this was a perfect warm up to Rebecca. #20in4
#gothic

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BookmarkTavern
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Dual timelines! ‼️

1. Usually, I enjoy them. Although I‘ve found I‘m much more critical of plot holes in dual timeline stories.
2. Really enjoyed this one! 💕
3. I‘ve mostly seen dual timelines used in historical fiction (for obvious reasons) and mysteries, but I would love to see a sci fi story told like that.

#SundayFunday Have a great day, and don‘t forget to tag me!

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dainarmb
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Pickpick

Wow. I wouldn't have found this book on my own but I'm glad it somehow made its way onto my shelves. It was a compelling story! Finally done with my March #BookSpinBingo reads... *checks calendar* LMAO @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Also, you're the second person to tag me with a March BookSpin today, so apparently two weeks overtime is about right! 😂 3y
9 likes2 comments
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dainarmb
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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It's slow going over here 🤪 finally back home after a week of housesitting and didn't have much time to read. Back at it!

amber_ldsmom Loved this one! 3y
dainarmb @amber_ldsmom it's so captivating! 3y
12 likes1 stack add2 comments
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dainarmb
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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✨ I started a B L O G !✨

Because I wanted a single space to talk about allll the things that I've been enjoying, not just movies, or just books, or just music, you feel me?

If anyone wants a peek, find me and my loud reviews at voidwithaview.wordpress.com 😂 #screamingintothevoid

robinb Congratulations...good for you! 🎉 3y
dainarmb @robinb thank you! 3y
13 likes2 comments
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dainarmb
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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I am #currentlyreading my March #BookSpin book tryna play catchup for #BookSpinBingo. Marked/Numbered my Bookspin and #DoubleSpin reads differently this month since I couldn't keep them straight last time when I'd just highlighted them. 😅 of course, just my luck, two library holds came in and neither are my bingo reads! 🤦🏽‍♀️

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kaysworld1
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Cathy thank you so much for my book, I have already read this book but my nanna was very interested in it so I passed it to her she's very happy. ☺
@Cathythoughts 🥰

Cathythoughts Your welcome! I‘m glad your Nana will get the pleasure of this book....hope you are well & hanging in there ❤️ 3y
40 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KnerdKnitter
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield

“My gripe is not with lovers of the truth but with truth herself. What succor, what consolation is there in truth, compared to a story? [...] When fear and cold make a statue of you in your bed, don't expect hard-boned and fleshless truth to come running to your aid. What you need are the plump comforts of a story. The soothing, rocking safety of a lie.

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SilversReviews
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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Thank you to eggs.

#JUMPINTOJANUARY
@eggs

Today‘s Prompt: NUMBER IN THE TITLE

An all-time favorite book:

THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield

Have YOU read it?

MamaGina Yes, it‘s excellent!🤓 3y
MaleficentBookDragon Loved that book! 3y
See All 6 Comments
lazydaizee I remember reading this a few years ago. From what I can remember of it there is a twist in the story at the end. 3y
SilversReviews @Carolyn60 oh yes. 😍 so good. (edited) 3y
42 likes1 stack add6 comments