Title: The Thirteenth Tale

Author: Diane Setterfield

Publisher: Washington Square Press 2006

Genre: Literary fiction

Pages: 406

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 21st Century Women Authors; Mount TBR; Women Authors; 52 Books -- W16; What's in a Name -- Number written in letters

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 first chapter, I was wary.  By the second chapter, I was intrigued.  By the third chapter, I couldn't put it down.  This book and storytelling style reminded me of Carlos Ruiz Zafon's books.  And I absolutely adore his book.  They and this novel are great stories, but also amazing love letters to books and storytelling.  I immediately connected with Margaret and her love of books.  My dream would be to own a book store (unfortunately there's not much money in it).  I would love to surround myself with dusty tomes containing amazing worlds and people.  Back to The Thirteenth Tale... I enjoyed the slow unraveling of the story.  I loved Miss Winter's "no questions, telling it in order" approach.  Sure, we all wanted to know everything up front.  But the story itself needed to be told in order so that the reader (and Margaret) could truly understand Miss Winter and her life.  At times, I had to slow myself down.  Instead of rushing to find out the next secret, I wanted to savor the story.  Setterfield has a way with words.  They just seemed to melt off the page, slow and luxuriously.  If I could write like that, I would be perfectly happy.  I won't give away anything, but the secrets revealed were definitely the icing on the cake.  Now I feel like I need to pick up Setterfield's new book...