As soon as I picked up this book and read the blurb on the back cover, I was intrigued. This story was advertised as having many things: mystery, suspense, masterful storytelling, and a gothic setting. Indeed, it delivered all of these factors to an extent, and yet, by the close of the novel, I felt something was lacking.
Let me first say that the language was beautiful from beginning to end. I loved the author’s description of the protagonist’s special relationship with books. Over the course of the novel, the various books and the stories featured within them are developed with such care that they nearly become characters in themselves, even more so at times, than the actual humans. The setting effectively established the haunting mood of the tale. Nearly every scene was heavy with unspoken memories, shadows, and dust.
What didn’t really grab me was the suspense aspect of the novel, or rather, a disappointing absence of it. The story’s pace was relatively slow. Yes, there is mystery as well as a distinct feeling of uneasiness that spans throughout the novel, but suspense? No. That factor only comes into play during the last few pages of the novel, but even that quickly fades after barely sputtering to life. The Thirteenth Tale is a thought-provoking, yet slow read. I kept waiting for something totally unexpected to happen. I kept waiting to be scared out of my wits.
While the ending indeed was surprising, the build-up was hardly gripping, and in the end I was left with a feeling of disappointment for what it could have been. Overall, I would compare the reading of the novel to the process of sitting down to assemble a thousand-piece puzzle on a rainy day. Does it thoroughly occupy your attention? Yes. Is it enjoyable if, at times, rather drawn-out? Yes. Are you happy to be finished with it? Definitely.
📚✔︎ Would recommend for those looking for a gothic unsettling read and beautiful prose.
If I could summarize this book in one word: Disconcerting
Here is an official summary on goodreads for The Thirteenth Tale.
My rating (out of 5 stars): ★★★
July 23, 2016 at 4:17 am
Your opinion of this book is so different from mine! I found this novel utterly fascinating when I read it …. But I also have a particular fondness for gothic novels. I didn’t realize other readers might feel like it was drawn out or there was a lack of action; I feel like there is so much action!
Overall, this novel, with its’ Jane Eyre references, and bookish protagonist who gets to interview a fascinating, reclusive, and notoriously unreliable narrator is, I suppose, not for everyone.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts – I was very interested to read how your reading was so different from my own. 😀
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July 23, 2016 at 4:18 am
Interesting review. I found it really fascinating putting the pieces of the puzzle together. It gripped me. But I am an English Major so was used to reading literary books often, with more difficult language. I could see this making the book seem more drawn out for some. I would probably give it about a 4, knowing how difficult as a writer it is to leave pieces here and there to plan; eventually surprising the reader in the end. I was thoroughly pleased with the ending 🙂
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July 24, 2016 at 10:40 am
I read this book a few years ago and remember thinking it was slow moving in parts. I loved the language and the characters, and the couple of ‘surprises’ that arise as the story evolves. The mystery itself is well played out (if a little slowly) and there is certainly suspense, in parts. I do agree, though, that the ending was a little flat. I would probably rate the book a 4.
An interesting review, which I enjoyed reading.
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July 26, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Thanks for sharing!
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August 6, 2016 at 3:00 am
Interesting review. Probably not a book I would be interested in reading as I am not a gothic enthusiast. I really like your “if I could summarize this book in one word…” idea. That is not always easy to do, but makes you really evaluate critically and succinctly!
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August 8, 2016 at 4:35 am
Reblogged this on The Vanishing Writer.
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