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The Thirteenth Tale

By: Diane Setterfield
Narrated by: Bianca Amato, Jill Tanner
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Publisher's summary

All children mythologize their birth... So begins the prologue of reclusive author Vida Winter's beloved collection of stories, long famous for the mystery of the missing thirteenth tale. The enigmatic Winter has always kept her violent and tragic past a secret. Now old and ailing, she summons a biographer to tell the truth about her extraordinary life: Margaret Lea, a young woman for whom the secret of her own birth remains an ever-present pain.

Disinterring the life she meant to bury for good, Vida mesmerizes Margaret with the power of her storytelling. Hers 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, and a devastating fire. Struck by a curious parallel between their stories, Margaret demands the truth from Vida, and together they confront the ghosts that have haunted them.

The Thirteenth Tale is a return to that rich vein of storytelling that our parents loved and 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.

©2006 Diane Setterfield (P)2007 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

  • Audie Award Finalist, Literary Fiction, 2007

"Bianca Amato is stunning as Margaret....[her] respect for the power of story and the written word is heard in every utterance. Jill Tanner accomplishes a tour de force as the enigmatic and mysterious Vida. In conversation her voice has the hesitancy and fragility of an elderly woman, but her voice takes on the strength and power of a master storyteller as she weaves her spellbinding life story." (AudioFile)
"Readers will be mesmerized by this story-within-a-story tinged with the eeriness of Rebecca and the willfulness of Jane Eyre. The author skillfully keeps the plot moving by unfurling a new twist in each chapter and leaves no strand untucked at the surprising and satisfying conclusion. A wholly original work told in the vein of all the best gothic classics. Lovers of books about book lovers will be enthralled." (Booklist)

What listeners say about The Thirteenth Tale

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Surprisingly Good

If you could sum up The Thirteenth Tale in three words, what would they be?

Surprisingly Good Mystery

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't have a specific character that stood out as a favorite. Its more of an ensemble piece. You really need all the characters to complete the overall story.

Have you listened to any of Bianca Amato and Jill Tanner ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but this was a good combination.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. But it has repeat listen possibilities.

Any additional comments?

Though I had never heard of the author before, I took the advice from the website as a suggested first read. This book really keeps your interest. Its mystery without being a police procedural/murder crime novel. I would suggest it if you like mysteries and you are looking for something a little bit different.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Didn't want to stop listening!

loved this one. Kept my attention the entire story. Would definitely recommend this one. Give it a listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

one of my favorite audible books

I really enjoyed the story of The 13th Tale, but the narating by both actors took the story to the next level. By far my favorite performance on Audible.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

great narration. weak ending

The narration was excellent. You could finish listening at the end of chapter 13. Chapter 14 actually diminishes the story impact, by having a feel-good ending, in which the persons that were still living lived happily ever after. Even so, I do recommend this audiobook

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Wait for it...

The book got off to an extremely slow start. Eventually the story picked up, grabbed my interest, and held it. Before the end I was very invested in the characters and their stories. I would recommend this book, but if you read it, just remember you’ll have to trudge through the beginning. If you do, you will be rewarded with a very enjoyable story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating & Fulfilling

Could not stop listening. Several times I thought I had it all figured out, but I was wrong. Plenty of twists, and she still managed to tie up the entire story nicely. Worth every page.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Engrossing, intricately woven tale

I loved it. Beautifully structured, with well developed, complex characters. Once I started listening, I didn't want to put it down. An emotionally and intellectually riveting story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love this book!

I reread this book every few years and enjoy it all over again, it's a book I recommend to others.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Extravagantly Rich Storytelling

Much like a decadent dessert that tempts you to sneak another taste, I was drawn to enjoying this book twice in a row, pure delight & pleasure. Such a treasure truly!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable.

I now know why there’s an abridged version. I think if I were to do it over I would’ve read that version because it would’ve held my interest more and the ending would’ve been all the more enjoyable. I think the book has a lot of strong aspects including the protagonist.

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