The Thirteenth Tale

A Novel

By: Diane Setterfield

Narrated by: Bianca Amato, Jill Tanner

Length: 15 hrs and 38 mins

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)

great book

I love this book. I read it twice back to back. I'm so glad that I did. I highly recommend!

Twins, Etc.

An aging, famous serial author wants an unknown writer to take on the task of writing her biography. But is this author telling the truth about her life? A complex story of lies and truths, difficult personalities and events surrounding twins.

one of my favorite stories

"Everyone has a story." So begins a tale of complexity and beauty. I had read this book and wanted too hear it read again to me. Highly recommended!!!!

Setterfield is becoming one of my favorite authors

Another great book of Storytelling! Wonderful plot, descriptions and rich characters. Performances were excellent and greatly helped in understanding the dual narrative of an audiobook. I can’t wait to read my next book by her!

This is a very subjective review: I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

I first read/listened to “Once Upon a River” by Diane Setterfield (narrated by Juliet Stevenson...I could listen to her read anything <3) and I loved it. The characters were phenomenal. Super detailed but paced and with enough variation that I never ever felt the way I did with “The Thirteenth Tale,” which was: Ok, I get it, move along with the description and tell the story. I never tire of description but with this I did and I *think* it’s mostly due to—and I realized it while reading—I am NOT a fan of Gothic Lit. I am already prone to depression and reading about fictional characters who are mentally ill with cruel and violent dispositions on TOP of Margaret having her own inner crisis was enough to make me feel thoroughly miserable for the entire 15 hours. At the end there was resolution but I had lost track of all the red herrings so it was no fun. I lost track, I believe, because there were too many and everyone is miserable, except for Aurelius who was my absolute favorite. He cooks the best cakes in the village so in honor of him, I’m making one tonight.

A true love story

What can I say... I’m sad the book is finished. The story is so beautifully written. The voice the words are given by the narrators are truly enchanting. The voice so soothing - perfect for a lullaby. The story is so intriguing, so transformative that you’re watching it unfold in your minds eye like a movie. I can’t praise this author and storytellers enough. 5 stars aren’t enough. Favorite book by a mile!

Very very good

This is a well written, well narrated story. I was impressed with Setterfield's first book, Once Upon a River (hope that is the correct title), and I thought I'd give this book a try. Not at all like the first book. A rather unusual approach in my experience as both narrators have equally compelling stories.

enthralling

I found this book incredibly enjoyable and would highly recommend it. The story drew me in and kept me hooked throughout. The narration was fabulous.

Like her other book much more

This is a good story with lots of twists and in most regards I liked it. But unlike Once Upon a Time, I didn’t like anyone in this story and that colored my overall impression. I don’t know of the narrators made me not connect with Margaret. and like the other oil, I bet this would be easier to follow in book form. I got lost and to listen to sections again. But it’s a clever story overall and well written most of the time.

Intriguing

One of my favorite books to read every few years. It includes mystery, family and a number of plot twists. Readers are extremely good, bringing characters to life.