The Thirteenth Tale (Diane Setterfield)

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

I picked up this book when I heard it being called a modern classic in the style of Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold up to all the hype. The biggest problem I have with it is, there seems to be a lack of action. The first hint of action or suspense doesn't actually occur to near the end of the book when a murder occurs. And, at last, grabbed my attention.

The book starts off very slow and I struggled to keep on reading. The narrator is what I refer to as a "talker". She describes every room and every scene and gives flashbacks to almost every character that makes an appearance. But, remove these, and there wasn't much of a story. Or a mystery, for that matter.

The book's entire premise is based on a mystery of a famous writer's true life story. A person the narrator seemed to forget that the reader needs to be able to relate or sympathize with in order to care what that mystery was. The writer didn't give me the chance or opportunity to connect with the famous writer, so I was left not really caring what her story was, and hence not interested in solving the great mystery. It wasn't until much further into the story that I begin to feel for the character of Adeline/Vida, but for some readers that can be far too late and have given up on the book.

My other beef with the story was it's overuse of the word "ghost". It was like the writer was trying to reiterate this was a ghost story. Over and over again. I would have preferred feeling the presense of a ghost rather being told about it. As well, she went overboard on the references to Jane Eyre. The author wrips from the classic novel but in no way can compare. An insult to Jane Eyre fan's, really.

Overall, the story wasn't bad, however, the author's writing style is very flowery rather than bold and straightforward which I think this story needed instead. And that, of course, is a matter of personal preference. Those who enjoy flowery writing might just well enjoy this book.