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The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel

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Ratings
Book
64
Narrator
32
Release Date
September 12, 2006
Duration
16 hours 0 minutes
Summary
Winner of the 2007 Audie Award for Literary Fiction and Finalist for Multi-Voiced Performance

Instant #1 New York Times bestseller

“Readers will feel the magnetic pull of this paean to words, books and the magical power of story.”—People

“Eerie and fascinating.”—USA TODAY

Sometimes, when you open the door to the past, what you confront is your destiny.

Reclusive author Vida Winter, famous for her collection of twelve enchanting stories, has spent the past six decades penning a series of alternate lives for herself. Now old and ailing, she is ready to reveal the truth about her extraordinary existence and the violent and tragic past she has kept secret for so long. Calling on Margaret Lea, a young biographer troubled by her own painful history, Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good. Margaret is mesmerized by the author's tale of gothic strangeness—featuring the beautiful and willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess, a topiary garden and a devastating fire. Together, Margaret and Vida confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming, finally, transformed by the truth themselves.
Reviews
Profile Avatar Fatemeh S Jan 2015

Captivating from the beginning to the end! Great story. Excellent writing. The narration was amazing and added to its magnificence!

Profile Avatar Marchell I. Dec 2025

Oh this book was absolutely amazing loved the narrator she did a fantastic job loved every minute of this book

Profile Avatar Mary Beth B. Oct 2025

Excellent book… perfect narrator!

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jul 2021

Ms. Satterfield has the gift of being a masterful weaver of tales. She has such obvious respect for her characters that I feel a better person for having immersed myself in their ways. In the end, I want more.

Profile Avatar Linda S. May 2021

This was a fabulous book. I couldn’t stop listening. The Narrators are some of the best I have listened too so far. I highly recommend this title.

Profile Avatar Toni F. Mar 2020

wonderful story

Profile Avatar Brian J. Oct 2019

Exquisitely written! Fell a little short about 3/4 in but still an amazing read!

Profile Avatar Kathleen Santi. Apr 2019

I love this book. I love the descriptive. Writing. It's a great mystery. With a good ending.

Profile Avatar Stephanie M. Mar 2019

I was moved by this story. It's a masterpiece of detail through a mysterious tangle of the unloved, forgotten, and those that would never know the difference because damage had already set the table. Within an unknowing, witty, sometimes harsh, warm or sympathetic drink of mysticism, a telling was told. It includes dark, irrational chaos amongst the true need for acceptance, forgiveness, and maybe just a resting place to find answers and feel at home. The longing will linger after knowing the characters, but the answers and ending is what you'll crave. While the story ends for others, beginnings happen even still.

Profile Avatar Rhonda M Nov 2017

Really enjoyable. Great story and good reading. Great mystery.

Profile Avatar Kim Rutter Mar 2016

mysterious from start to finish. narrators added nuance. very well done.

Profile Avatar mary reynolds Mar 2014

this was a wonderfully gothic tale, full of twists and darkness.

The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel

The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel

Author: Diane Setterfield
Read by: Bianca Amato
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