William W. (wdwilson3) reviewed The Thirteenth Tale (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This isnt the type of book I normally read (or, in this case, listen to) but I was genuinely impressed with Diane Setterfields first novel. Ive seen references to it as gothic fiction, but it really is missing both of the typical gothic elements, horror and romance, at least in the traditional sense of the genre. Rather, its an atmospheric mystery, in the sense that the truth about a famous novelists past is gradually revealed. Its a complex telling, as the novelist dictates her biography to our protagonist. Each revelation seems to raise more questions and more suspicions. There are some gruesome aspects to the story, but the overall feeling Setterfield arouses is curiosity what happened, who is who and what is the novelists true identity?
Setterfields language is refined, elegant, and evocative. In that sense, The Thirteenth Tale does invite comparison with Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. While I was a little let down by some of the eventual revelations (too anticlimactic in my view) and on coincidental encounters, those flaws did not diminish my enjoyment much. I listened to the unabridged CD version of this book in my car, and I confess to taking the long way home a few times so that I could hear more of the story. The CD employs two women as readers, and both of them (Bianca Amato and Jill Tanner) are superb, articulate and expressive.
Setterfields language is refined, elegant, and evocative. In that sense, The Thirteenth Tale does invite comparison with Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. While I was a little let down by some of the eventual revelations (too anticlimactic in my view) and on coincidental encounters, those flaws did not diminish my enjoyment much. I listened to the unabridged CD version of this book in my car, and I confess to taking the long way home a few times so that I could hear more of the story. The CD employs two women as readers, and both of them (Bianca Amato and Jill Tanner) are superb, articulate and expressive.
Christine G. (Cricket) reviewed The Thirteenth Tale (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 69 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This story kept me guessing until the end. It was mysterious with a sense of gloom and doom. I really enjoyed this story. The two voiced used for the audio were very clear and easy to listen to. They read the story at a good pace...until the end. I felt at the end, as the story was getting more dramatic, the reader was getting more dramatic and slower. At the point, in the book where if I were actually reading it myself, I would have probably been rushing through the end trying to get to the bottom of the story, but the reader was really slow and dragging it out. It added more drama, but it was getting frustrating. What I liked most about the story was there was a sense of horror in the story. I knew something really off was going on, but then did find myself a little confused and dissatisfied in the end. Over all it was a good story though.
Heather J. (ReadingAddict) reviewed The Thirteenth Tale (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 102 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Oh how I loved this book! The story within a story, the deep love of reading, the strange characters there is good and evil and everything in between. Ive seen this referred to as a Gothic novel and Id have to agree. It just has that *feel* about it, what with a dilapidated old mansion, numerous recluses, and mysterious happenings.
You can read my entire review here.
You can read my entire review here.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this story. It was so rich in building the suspense a piece at a time. Towards the end, I had a few moments where I had guessed what was about to be revealed and I found myself holding my breath, waiting to hear if I had it right. Truly, Diane Setterfield laid the grounds for the mystery of Winters life, but then coupling it with Margarets own tragic beginning made for excellent reading.
While many of the characters in this story are long dead, as they are part of Winters past, the author wrote them so believably real and their existence is still reflected in how they shaped and molded Ms. Winter as a young lady. From her own emotionally absent parents to the gardener and the house mistress, and even a short-term governess. All these people had a piece in the tragedy of Winters life, some good and some bad and some a mix. I appreciated that in the end, Winter wasnt free of her burden of guilt and bad choices past.
While many of the characters in this story are long dead, as they are part of Winters past, the author wrote them so believably real and their existence is still reflected in how they shaped and molded Ms. Winter as a young lady. From her own emotionally absent parents to the gardener and the house mistress, and even a short-term governess. All these people had a piece in the tragedy of Winters life, some good and some bad and some a mix. I appreciated that in the end, Winter wasnt free of her burden of guilt and bad choices past.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent! Spooky creepy gothic novel written old style. Enjoyed it on audiobook!
I found The Thirteenth Tale has a series of intriguing mysteries at its heart helped by some excellent writing such as âFrom the day I was born grief was always present. It settled like dust upon the household. It covered everything; it invaded us with every breath we took. It shrouded us in our own separate mysteries.' Having said that, although I enjoyed the story very much, I gave it a three because it's what I call a slow burn type of story. I recommended it to my book club and it was chosen and got very good reviews from them which I knew it would. Interesting, atmospheric slow burn.
This book was WAY too melodramatic for me. If I were a teen or young adult and hadn't read much, I'd probably like it. But as a well-read 50-something, I found this book trite. What's worse, I didn't care for any of the characters. Setterfield did do a fine job of describing and developing them, so I certainly will remember most, but I simply did not give a hoot about any of them. I guess the main reason is that not a one of them is believable.
NOTE: If you have not yet read Jane Eyre, do so before reading this book. This classic is referred to ad infinitum throughout the text, so it is bound to be frustrating for those who are not acquainted with it.
NOTE: If you have not yet read Jane Eyre, do so before reading this book. This classic is referred to ad infinitum throughout the text, so it is bound to be frustrating for those who are not acquainted with it.
This book was so well done as an audiobook. I really enjoyed the narrator. The story was very interesting and kept my attention until the unexpected end. I would highly recommend.
Great Book
Really enjoyed this book a lot. Weaved two stories together and came up with surprise after surprise. Read it.
Absolutely lyrical reading of the book. The voices were wonderful and made the characters come to life!
A bit of a nail biter as I couldn't flip to the back of the book to see how it ended. There were times I drove around the block to finish listening to a particularly engaging bit of action.
Highly recommend this to anyone who wants a literary mystery that's a bit different.
A bit of a nail biter as I couldn't flip to the back of the book to see how it ended. There were times I drove around the block to finish listening to a particularly engaging bit of action.
Highly recommend this to anyone who wants a literary mystery that's a bit different.
Marilynn L. (WildOrchid) reviewed The Thirteenth Tale (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 222 more book reviews
If I had tried to read this book instead of listening to it, I don't think I would have finished it. As it was, I almost stopped listening before the end of the first CD but I hung in there and I have to admit, the story finally did drag me into it. It's not one of the best I have ever listened to but neither is it the worst. I tend to have a problem with British stories in general but the accents of the readers weren't at all bad. Mystery, horror, deceit, family history - they all came together quite well.
Narrators are Bianca Amato as Margaret Lea and jill Tanner as Vilda Winter. Unabridged on 14 CDs.
