“The Thirteenth Tale” by Diane Setterfield is a gothic suspense novel that tells the story of Vida Winter, a famous author who has been keeping a secret about her past for decades. The novel is filled with allegorical elements that add depth and meaning to the story. The life of Vida Winter and her twin sisters is an allegory of the evil fairy tale. There is a prince (Charlie Angelfield), but he is cruel and mentally unstable. He cuts out the name of the lady-love on his body and he rapes girls on his path. There is also a princess (Isabelle Angelfield). She is beautiful, but vicious and loses her mind.
Setterfield’s use of allegory in “The Thirteenth Tale” adds layers of complexity to the characters and their relationships. The story-within-a-story format allows the reader to explore the themes of family, identity, and the power of storytelling. The novel also includes allusions to other works of literature, such as “Jane Eyre,” which further enriches the allegorical elements of the story.
Overview of ‘The Thirteenth Tale’
‘The Thirteenth Tale’ by Diane Setterfield is a gothic suspense novel that was first published in 2006. The story revolves around the life of Vida Winter, a famous novelist in England, who has evaded journalists’ questions about her past, refusing to answer their inquiries and spinning elaborate tales that they later discover to be false. The book is a love letter to reading, a return to that rich vein of storytelling that our parents loved and that we loved as children.
The novel takes place in two different time periods, and the plot jumps back and forth between them. The first period is during the 1940s and 1950s, and the second period is during the 1990s. The story is told from the perspective of Margaret Lea, a young biographer who is hired by Vida Winter to write her biography. Margaret is drawn into the mystery of Vida’s past and becomes determined to uncover the truth about her life.
The book is full of twists and turns, and the reader is constantly kept guessing about what will happen next. Setterfield’s writing is richly imaginative and atmospheric, and she creates a vivid and haunting world that draws the reader in. The characters are complex and well-developed, and the themes of family, love, and loss are explored in a nuanced and thought-provoking way.
Themes and Motifs
Family Secrets
One of the major themes in “The Thirteenth Tale” is family secrets. The novel revolves around the Angelfield family and their dark past. The secrets that are kept within the family have a profound effect on the characters and their relationships with each other. The novel explores how family secrets can shape a person’s identity and how they can have a lasting impact on future generations.
Identity and Self-Discovery
Another prominent theme in the novel is identity and self-discovery. The characters in “The Thirteenth Tale” are all searching for their true identities and trying to understand their place in the world. The novel explores how our past experiences and family history can shape who we are and how we see ourselves. Through the characters’ journeys of self-discovery, the novel shows the importance of understanding one’s past in order to move forward.
Storytelling and Memory
The theme of storytelling and memory is also central to the novel. The characters in “The Thirteenth Tale” are all connected through their love of books and storytelling. The novel explores how stories can shape our understanding of the world and how they can be used to make sense of our past. The novel also highlights the importance of memory and how it can be both a blessing and a curse.
Allegorical Elements in the Novel
The Use of Twins
The novel “The Thirteenth Tale” by Diane Setterfield makes use of twins as an allegorical element. The twins, Adeline and Emmeline, represent the duality of human nature. Adeline is portrayed as the dark, cruel twin, while Emmeline is the kind and gentle one. This duality is further emphasized by the fact that they are physically identical, yet emotionally opposite. Setterfield uses these characters to explore the idea that every person has two sides to their personality, and that these sides are often in conflict with each other.
The Mansion as a Metaphor
The mansion in “The Thirteenth Tale” serves as a metaphor for the human mind. The mansion is described as having many rooms, each with its own secrets and mysteries. This is similar to the human mind, which has many different thoughts and emotions, some of which are hidden and unknown. The mansion is also described as being haunted, which is a metaphor for the ghosts of the past that can haunt a person’s mind. Setterfield uses this metaphor to explore the idea that the human mind is complex and mysterious, and that it is often haunted by the past.
Ghosts and the Supernatural
“The Thirteenth Tale” also makes use of ghosts and the supernatural as allegorical elements. The ghosts in the novel represent the past, and the way that it can haunt and influence the present. The supernatural elements, such as the strange occurrences in the mansion, represent the unknown and mysterious aspects of the human mind. Setterfield uses these allegorical elements to explore the idea that the past and the unknown can have a powerful influence on the present, and that it is important to confront and understand these influences in order to move forward.
Character Analysis
Vida Winter’s Multiple Identities
Vida Winter, the enigmatic author, is a complex character with multiple identities. She is known for her tendency to fabricate stories about her past and her life, making it difficult for anyone to discern the truth. Her multiple identities are a reflection of her desire to hide her true self from the world. Vida’s character is a representation of the idea that people often present different versions of themselves to the world, depending on their circumstances and the people they are interacting with.
Margaret Lea’s Quest for Truth
Margaret Lea, the protagonist of the novel, is a biographer who is tasked with writing the life story of Vida Winter. As she delves deeper into Vida’s past, she becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about Vida’s life. Margaret’s quest for truth is a reflection of her own desire to understand herself and her own past. Margaret’s character is a representation of the idea that people often seek to understand others in order to understand themselves.
The Angelfield Family’s Tragic History
The Angelfield family is a tragic family with a dark and mysterious past. The family’s history is shrouded in secrecy and tragedy, making it difficult for anyone to understand the truth about their lives. The family’s tragic history is a reflection of the idea that people often carry their past with them, and that the events of the past can have a profound impact on the present and the future. The Angelfield family’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of secrets and the power of the past to shape the present.
Narrative Structure and Perspective
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is a novel that uses a complex narrative structure to tell its story. The novel is divided into two main narratives, one that follows the life of Vida Winter, a famous author, and the other that follows Margaret Lea, a biographer.
The narrative structure allows Setterfield to create a sense of mystery and intrigue throughout the novel. The reader is constantly trying to piece together the different elements of the story, and the shifting perspectives keep the reader engaged and interested.
The novel is told from a third-person perspective, which allows the reader to see the story from multiple angles. This perspective also allows the reader to develop a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations.
Interpretations of the Ending
Many readers have found the ending of “The Thirteenth Tale” to be satisfying and conclusive. The reveal of the true identity of Vida Winter’s twin and the resolution of the mystery surrounding the Angelfield family are seen as a fitting conclusion to the story.
Others, however, have interpreted the ending as being too neat and tidy. They argue that the novel’s focus on the power of storytelling and the unreliability of memory make the resolution of the mystery too easy and convenient.
Comparisons to Gothic Literature
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is a gothic novel that shares many similarities with other works of gothic literature. Like other gothic works, it features a dark and foreboding atmosphere, supernatural elements, and an exploration of the darker aspects of human nature.
One of the most striking similarities between The Thirteenth Tale and other gothic works is the use of a sprawling, decaying mansion as a setting. The mansion, known as Angelfield House, is a central location in the novel and serves as a symbol for the decay and corruption that pervades the story.
Another common element of gothic literature that is present in The Thirteenth Tale is the use of doubles or doppelgangers. The novel features several pairs of characters who share striking similarities, including twin sisters Adeline and Emmeline, and the two narrators, Margaret Lea and Vida Winter.
Finally, like other gothic works, The Thirteenth Tale explores themes of madness, family secrets, and the supernatural. The novel’s complex plot and richly drawn characters make it a compelling read for fans of gothic literature.
Influence of Classic Novels
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is heavily influenced by classic novels, particularly Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. The protagonist Margaret Lea is a book lover and a biographer, much like Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. The novel also features a gothic setting, much like Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.
The novel’s plot is also reminiscent of classic novels. The story revolves around secrets, lies, and family drama, much like the works of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. The novel’s themes of identity, family, and the power of storytelling are also common in classic literature.
Setterfield’s use of allegory is also similar to classic literature. The novel’s title, “The Thirteenth Tale,” is a reference to the power of storytelling and the importance of the number thirteen in literature. The novel’s use of twins as characters is also a nod to classic literature, particularly Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” and “Twelfth Night.”
Reception and Critical Acclaim
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield received critical acclaim upon its publication in 2006. The novel’s intriguing plot, well-developed characters, and engaging writing style captured the attention of readers and critics alike.
The book rose to the top of The New York Times Best Seller list within a week of its release and won the Quill Award for debut author of the year. Setterfield’s background in 20th-century French literature is evident in her writing, and her ability to weave a complex story with multiple layers of meaning has been praised by literary critics.
Many reviewers have noted the novel’s gothic elements, which add to the book’s overall atmosphere and sense of mystery. The story’s use of allegory and symbolism has also been praised, with critics noting the various interpretations that can be drawn from the novel’s themes and motifs.