Book Review: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

When small-town writer Margaret Lea receives a direct request to write Vida Winter's life story, she is unaware of the contorted journey that awaits her. The reclusive author has been mysterious, specifically surrounding the enigma of the thirteenth legendary tale. Mrs. Winter has published an analogy of stories totaling twelve with reference to a mystical thirteenth saga, yet no one has yet uncovered this sacred story. Given that several scribes have come before, Margaret becomes intrigued regarding the possible justification that she should be entrusted to compose the infamous author’s memoir.

Filled with unique twists and turns, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is an unforgettable fictitious tale of twins, family mysteries and sordid tales that defy modern logic. While devoted sections of this sinister book generate a frightful work of fantasy, the story itself is quite intriguing. The initial premise of the book intimately connects two unique sets of twins together. Sufficiently separated for a marked period, one set becomes reconnected with dire consequences. Since Margaret is similarly a twin, albeit her twin died in infancy, she sincerely feels an enduring fascination with Vida’s fantastical story. The unspoken details surrounding the death of Margaret’s twin lay like an impenetrable veil over the Lea family. Mired in phenomenal secrecy, much like the clandestine nature enveloping the thirteenth tale and Mrs. Winter's mysterious seclusion, Margaret unintentionally stumbles upon the documented existence of her twin.

Rather than speaking of her own biography Vida dictates the incredible tale of Adeline and Emmeline March, two girls who were born under extraordinary circumstances stemming from a strange lineage. Once Isabelle March appears on her brother’s doorstep with two small babies, Charlie Angelfield is astonished by this intrinsic change in his life and his family. The girls do not retain any secure connection to their vulnerable household, despite the possessiveness of their maternal uncle towards their mother early on. The girls barely note her profound absence while their mother is a resident of an asylum. Bizarre happenings dominate despite the loosely watchful eye of the Missus and John-the-Dig. Given the fundamental abandonment of their uncle, Adeline and Emmeline evolve tremendously into undisciplined youths. Allowed to run amok in their own home and local neighborhood, the children wreak havoc everywhere much to the chagrin of the community. At one point the girls steal a pram, remove the baby, and push themselves down a hill. As the unpredictable behavior of the girls reaches reckless proportions, a private governess arrives in an apparent attempt to tame their behavior. This employment proves a detriment to both as the governess soon separates them. Each of the girls suffers horribly as a direct result. Upon reunification, the girls thrive; however, the cryptic activities of Angelfield Manor abound. The children mysteriously appear and disappear while objects react almost as if they have taken on a life of their own.

A commonality that resonates powerfully throughout the ambitious novel is the peculiar notion of apparitions and unexplained events. While the Angelfield Manor endures its fair share of unusual happenings, from disappearing items to fierce attacks with phantom spirits, similar occurrences seem to travel through the Winter Estate as well. Things are similarly obscure as objects go bump in the night and ghostly figures appear. Margaret finds herself awakened by puzzling feelings, including sensations of being surreptitiously watched. Notwithstanding, the enduring mystery of the thirteen tale, a number itself riddled with superstition.

The continuous flow of the complex narrative as told from several principal characters’ perspectives is delightful. The striking fiction within the legend of the March children as recited by Vida Winter naturally generates a profound dimension to the story itself. The incredible complexity behind the pedigree of the Angelfield dynasty, including the children’s genealogy, evolves throughout the descriptive book and progressively develops as the novel advances. Each alternative story narrated by Vida Winter powerfully builds upon the previous information disclosed. The author moves seamlessly between the present-day storytelling of Mrs. Winter to Margaret and the narrative past with the March twins. The storyline sustains the reader's interest until the final page. This literary suspense produces a bewitching novelty.

The book is skillfully composed with a superb plot, flourishing with incredible complexities throughout the entire book. Some pivotal scenes between the family members are graphic in nature, lending itself to a thriller genre. If one prepares for the menacing sections from the onset then the prospective reader would likely thoroughly enjoy this book. This could be an excellent novel for someone anticipating a spooky treat to supplement their fall reading list or anytime for suspense that steadfastly keeps the reader in eager anticipation until the ultimate conclusion.