The Thirteenth Tale

by Diane Setterfield
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Margaret Lea works in her fathers antiquarian bookshop. Here she takes care of the books and reads her favourite 19th century literature; novels, diaries, letters and biographies. She has herself written a few author biographies in essay form, one of which about the brothers Jules and Edmond Landier was published in an anthology. Outside of this Margaret leads a reclusive life in her small apartment above the shop, socializing almost exclusively with her father and her books.

Then one day Margaret receives a letter from the writer Vida Winter. In her letter the writer confesses to considering the truth a poor supplier of succor or consolation compared to a story. Everything told about her life in interviews have therefore been lies, but now she feels the time has come to tell the truth. And she wants Margaret to document the true story about her life.

Margaret herself does not read contemporary writers, but she is familiar with Vida Winter. Vida has written 26 novels in as many years and her books has been translated into several other languages. Margaret has watched her father becoming all consumed when reading one of Vida's books but it is not until now that she picks one of them up for herself. Vidas writing fascinates Margaret and she goes to Yorkshire where she accepts the assignment under the condition that what she will be told really is the truth.

Vida's story is the story of the Angelfield family and its beginning takes place long before Vida is born. As the fantastic family saga is told circumstances of the now are also revealed, as is Margaret's story. Margaret's story is as Vida has suspected and what makes her most suited to relate to and understand Vida's story. Vida's story is what releases Margaret and increases her ability and wish to relate to other people.

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This book was recommended to me by one of my friends and I am really thankful to her for doing that. I really liked this book. It is a "proper" novel with a beginning, a middle and an end. Literally; the book is divided into three sections; Beginnings, Middles and Endings. It is also what I would call a rich book; the language is rich and varied, it is rich in settings, ambiences, character and events. It is filled with mysteries that have to be explained and keep you captive.

I like that this is a book that takes me to another world. A world that can seem unreal, dark and at times ghostly, but that isn't political or filled with social criticism but focuses on human beings and their relationships and destinies. I recommend this book to anyone looking for some escapism.