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sunzreads's review against another edition
5.0
Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale brings readers an eerie experience through the story of twins, a ghost, and the people that came before them in the huge house with an unexpecting twist in the end. The author makes the characters come alive and places become vivid with her skillful technique in describing them. The well-written story is also telling of what happens when the very basic need of a human being is not met -- the love of a family.
Even though I was not captivated by all characters, some left a great impression on me especially the two narrators, Vida and Margaret. Vida's stories are more than their face value. Discernment is crucial in identifying which parts of her stories are the truth and which are the lies. On the other hand, as a reader, Margaret reminded me to be careful in believing all the details of Vida's lore.
All in all, the book was a great read. The Thirteenth Tale is one of the most unique stories I've ever read. It encompasses a wide range of themes such as identity, family, belongingness, survival, and love. It has a different kind of scariness that is rooted in the depiction of the dark side of humanity set in a huge dwelling of anger, madness, and filth, which the storyteller adeptly used in conjuring a tale that appears to be haunting.
Readers who love stories about family and loss with a Gothic feel would surely enjoy The Thirteenth Tale.
Even though I was not captivated by all characters, some left a great impression on me especially the two narrators, Vida and Margaret. Vida's stories are more than their face value. Discernment is crucial in identifying which parts of her stories are the truth and which are the lies. On the other hand, as a reader, Margaret reminded me to be careful in believing all the details of Vida's lore.
All in all, the book was a great read. The Thirteenth Tale is one of the most unique stories I've ever read. It encompasses a wide range of themes such as identity, family, belongingness, survival, and love. It has a different kind of scariness that is rooted in the depiction of the dark side of humanity set in a huge dwelling of anger, madness, and filth, which the storyteller adeptly used in conjuring a tale that appears to be haunting.
Readers who love stories about family and loss with a Gothic feel would surely enjoy The Thirteenth Tale.
andreea27's review against another edition
5.0
Am citit-o dupa ce mi-a fost recomandata de cineva ca fiind o carte in genul Umbrei vantului, care mi-a placut enorm. Atmosfera celor doua carti nu poate fi comparata, in aceasta fiind parca un pic mai rigida. Descrierea nu m-a introdus cu totul in lumea cartii, asa cum s-a intamplat in cazul primei, in care eram pur si simplu absorbita. Si totusi, pana la urma mi-a placut destul de mult. Intriga este foarte interesanta, si este genul de carte a carei enigma o deslusesti abia la sfarsitul ei, pentru ca oricate detalii ti-ar fi date nu ii poti da de capat. Adevarul e in fata ta tot timpul, e spus chiar de la inceput, insa este foarte greu sa faci legatura.
Merita citita, pentru a afla secretele unei scriitoare aflate in pragul mortii, care dupa ce a dat in jur de 19 variante (uneori chiar contradictorii) ale biografiei sale, este gata sa-si spuna adevarata poveste. O poveste despre o familie ciudata, izolata de lume, in care 2 gemene au avut o viata - cel putin spus - de neinteles, pentru noi cei care nu stim ce inseamna a fi un suflet in doua corpuri.
Merita citita, pentru a afla secretele unei scriitoare aflate in pragul mortii, care dupa ce a dat in jur de 19 variante (uneori chiar contradictorii) ale biografiei sale, este gata sa-si spuna adevarata poveste. O poveste despre o familie ciudata, izolata de lume, in care 2 gemene au avut o viata - cel putin spus - de neinteles, pentru noi cei care nu stim ce inseamna a fi un suflet in doua corpuri.
partawesome's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mitskacir's review against another edition
4.0
Pros: well written, captivating, good gothic-style mystery, interesting characters, and slow but steady pacing. Cons: a very weird mythology about twins (I’ve never asked twins how they feel about each other, but I can’t imagine it is how it is described in the book), a few leaps of logic on the character Margaret’s part that are required to solve the mystery, and a few ends that I wouldn’t call loose but that I wish were explained more thoroughly. Would recommend to those interested in a darkly light read and who do not mind slow pacing.
evgeorge's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
sodapopjones's review against another edition
5.0
It’s a story of an author who never told her life story to anyone, and decides she will tell her last story to a biographer.
You are much like the biographer of the story.
Sort of confused, skeptical, and unsure if the story is real. But as the mystery unfolds, you become much more intrigued and aware. And finally, you get the answers you had been looking for all along.
Full of mystery, surprise, and family drama.
You are much like the biographer of the story.
Sort of confused, skeptical, and unsure if the story is real. But as the mystery unfolds, you become much more intrigued and aware. And finally, you get the answers you had been looking for all along.
Full of mystery, surprise, and family drama.
kimmaloo's review against another edition
3.0
It was slow in the beginning, but once Vida Winter started telling her story, I was hooked.