“Instead it winds its way in time-wasting loops and diversions.” In fact, where the river begins and which if any of its tributaries can be conclusively identified as the Thames itself is debatable. The disturbing behaviors, both sexual and violent, of the main characters in the story are mostly along the edges, but they are referred to often enough to rank the book a moderate for its themes.“T he river does not seem particularly intent on reaching its destination,” remarks the narrator of Diane Setterfield’s third novel, referring to the Thames. But there is one sensual scene that is somewhat detailed and disturbing, though fairly brief. There is only one occurrence of language. The Thirteenth Tale is absolutely not to be missed. A second reading then shows they were there all along in the mist, hovering just along the edges.
Margaret doesn’t see the meaning of some of the smallest clues until near the end of Miss Winter’s whole story, and neither do we. It beckons … and - gasp! - it won’t set the reader free until the very last stunning revelation. The Thirteenth Tale does so uncannily well. Good suspense novels hold the reader’s attention with an iron grip, parceling out crucial details like crumbs along a trail.
The two women face their demons together as their stories play out. Meanwhile, Margaret has her own story, her own threads and mists obscuring details that reveal themselves. Miss Winter grew up in this decaying manor, set apart from the rest of the small community, and she unravels bits of the story a portion at a time, day to day, for Margaret. Twins born carry on the oddness, reclusiveness, and even violence. Their disturbing behavior sets the tone for the book, guides its very plot strands. The mother dies, the father is reclusive the siblings are somehow odd. A brother and sister are born nine years apart in an old manor. Mists of questions somehow hover around the edges as she relates it, making it hard to see the lines.
Miss Winter’s story is indeed strange, mysterious. For her story is a ghost story, she says. “Tell me, do you believe in ghosts?” she asks Margaret. Now the rapidly declining writer assures Margaret she will tell the truth, for it is the only story she has left. Vida Winter has told hundreds of versions of her “life story” to reporters over the years, and none are true. Diane Setterfield channels Daphne du Maurier and other classic novelists of the genre to create a tale that should stand as a new classic.Ī young woman who has grown up helping her father in his used book shop is summoned by a famous writer to write her memoirs. Aficionados of gothic tales will find The Thirteenth Tale incredibly satisfying.
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