The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

I have to admit to being drawn to this book entirely because of its cover. Something about it really appealed to me, but when I picked up up in the bookstore I was a little put off because it was labelled as a “Heather’s Pick” and I rather dislike reading anything Heather or Oprah or anyone, really, has picked out for everyone to read (I guess I’m a bit of a snob). But I decided to get over my snobbery and read it.

The book follows the story of a young woman named Margaret, who receives a letter from the popular writer Vida Winter asking her to write her biography. This is unusual because Winter has spent her whole public life as a writer clouding her past in mystery, and now she wants to reveal the truth. As one commentator points out on the back of the book, Winter’s life story is “reminiscent of such spellbinding classics as Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Rebecca.” It is also described as “a love letter to reading,” which is a description I can only agree with.

My favourite thing about this book was the way that Setterfield created the perfect atmosphere for a gothic novel. (I have a bit of a soft spot for gothic novels, especially ones written during the Victorian period.) I would recommend the book based on her talent to create mood alone. Of course, the plot is also completely absorbing and well tied together, as well as just weird enough to be interesting without being over the top.

All children mythologize their birth. It is a universal trait. You want to know someone? Heart, mind, and soul? Ask him to tell you about when he was born. What you get won’t be the truth: it will be a story. And nothing is more telling than a story.