The Thirteenth Tale : A Novel
by Setterfield, Diane
- Used
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN 10
- 0743298039
- ISBN 13
- 9780743298032
- Seller
-
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
16 Copies Available from This Seller
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Synopsis
The Thirteenth Tale is a gothic suspense novel published in 2006. It is Diane Setterfield's debut novel.
Reviews
Suspenseful and beautifully written, this is a tale that will hold your attention. Just when you think you know where the story is heading, a twist occurs that throws you off course. One of the most mesmerizing books I have read this summer!
This novel is a literary tribute by the author to gothic and romantic novels enjoyed in her own English girlhood -- especially JAYNE EYRE. Pick any five consecutive sentences of THE THIRTEENTH TALE and you may find at most one flat, ordinary formulation. This is "poetry" or poetic prose as Heidegger saw it: "thickening" (German Dichtung). That is, ordinary words and experiences carry weight beyond what most writers make language bear. No glossary needed for this tale of Yorkshire. Just bring your heart. ***
Can two depressingly dysfunctional generations of the Angelfield family finally spawn normal offspring? Must twin girls neglected by their parents remain weird for life? The novel asks why does it take Margaret Lea, an outsider biographer, whose twin had died at birth, to tell when Britain's greatest novelist, Vida Winter, is lying about her family. "Trust but verify" is Margaret's model and it helps her both unravel the Angelfields and their tragedy and come to terms with herself and her parents. ***
THE THIRTEENTH TALE makes a case that the classic way to tell a tale (especially when the yarn is deliberately gothic and romantic) is always the best way: with a beginning which assumes nothing, a middle which blends the elements into fiendishly complex puzzles, enigmas and terrors, and a brief end and coda in which all is explained. Does that also sound like the best kind of detective story? ***
-OOO-
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Bookseller
- Better World Books (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- GRP17041450
- Title
- The Thirteenth Tale : A Novel
- Author
- Setterfield, Diane
- Book Condition
- Used - Good
- Quantity Available
- 16
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0743298039
- ISBN 13
- 9780743298032
- Publisher
- Washington Square Press
- Place of Publication
- New York, New York, USA
- This edition first published
- October 9, 2007
Terms of Sale
Better World Books
Better World Books wants every single one of its customers to be happy with their purchase. If you are not satisfied your purchase or simply find out that it was not the book you were looking for, please e-mail us at: help@betterworldbooks.com. We will get back to you as soon as possible with directions on how to return the book to our warehouse. Please keep in mind that because we deal mostly in used books, any extra components, such as CDs or access codes, are usually not included. CDs: If the book does include a CD, it will be noted in the book's description ("With CD!"). Otherwise, there is no CD included, even if the term is used in the book's title. Access Codes: Unless the book is described as "New," please assume that the book does *not* have an access code.