6. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield Margaret Lea is an irresistible narrator. The back story of her character provided the basis for this entire literary suspense novel. While I tend to look down on sensationalism and mystery, this book was so well written as almost to obliterate my prejudices. The book is infused with smooth literary references and the absolute truth of certain lines is memorable and valuable. Perhaps I was seduced more than other readers would be by the bookshop Lea grows up in, and by the two main characters, Lea and Miss Winter. Like Margaret, I am quiet and bookish. Like Miss Winter, I write dark stories and have green eyes. I was quite impressed by Setterfield's description of settings. It has been a long time since I have been able to so vividly picture a place in a book. Yet, again and again, from the bookshop to Miss Winter's home to the dilapidated estate Angelfield, I felt as if I were there too. This kind of skill is particularly important t...
Life, Books, and SFF