The Thirteenth Tale question

I felt the same way about this book. I was rather indifferent as I read it and after it was through... Well, let's just say it left very little impact.

Setterfield was a new author for me and her book is a slow starter but the thirteenth tale sounded mysterious to me so I read on. The story ended up to be a real mystery with twists and turns enough to satisfy me. You must go on and find out about the thirteenth tale. I don't want to spoil it.

I believe what makes this difficult for some people to read is that it's in the gothic style. We are so used to reading modern prose that we get distracted by this manner of writing. I really loved this book and hope everyone tries it again, the ending is worth it.

Too long, too wordy. Author could've trimmed 50 pages off and it might've brought story closer together and it would've been better paced.

I'm late to the party but I hope you continued! I've read this book several times and I fall more deeply in love with the story every time.

Just goes to show you we all have different preferences when it comes to books! This book is in my top twenty!

I got through it, and I really liked it. I can see how someone would find it ponderous, but I guess it was intriguing enough to keep me interested. I was glad I finished it, the spoiler that is referred to above was a good one, and made me forget about the fairly boring beginning of the book.

Keep reading until you know more about Vida's story and then decide!

I had to read this for book club. So many times I have to tell them that \I was unable to read the book because it was awful that I forced myself to read this one. Don't bother. I doesn't get any better

I started out bored with the book, it seemed long and wordy, but I'm glad I kept with it, it got so much better and I really loved it.

I have a 1/3rd rule - if a book hasn't hooked me by then, it's consigned to the Couldn't-Care-Less pile and passed on to someone else who might enjoy it.

This was that didn't pass the 1/3rd rule.

I recently saw a TV adaptation of it with Vanessa Redgrave as Vida, and although I watched it to the end I still felt happy I hadn't trudged through the book.

Keep reading, that is if the op is still interested as this appears to be an older thread. Anyhow, keep going. The story and characters were enough to hold me until the end.

I actually liked the old bookseller the best, but he's not in the story enough!

I read the whole book, but I didn't like it. I remember thinking it was poorly written and contrived.

Originally I was enthralled with the prose and the concept of a book about the love of books, but I admit it was not our modern day character who kept me reading. Her story just isn't as interesting as Vida's. I would keep reading. I found the twins incredibly intriguing and you haven't even met them yet

I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit. I'm not one to continue reading a book if it's not interesting, though. I've quit a few that I was supposed to love.

No, I almost stopped too but the story is like a completely different book once she gets to the house! You are through the worst part, it goes way up from here. Don't stop!

Not sure if someone has already said or posted this...but The Thirteenth Tale is being made into a BBC2 drama. Can hardly wait and hope they don't mess it up!!

http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/...

I would never counsel someone to stop reading a book, and if I hadn't had this one for my book club I wouldn't have continued on either. Unlike some of the other readers, I thought it was just okay. The problem is I never felt any affinity to the narrator. I found her pretentious and annoying. (though thanks to this book I learned what an amanuensis is. I mean really, who uses that word?)

I recommend to continue reading also. I have read this book and found it hard to get started but it does get better and worth the effort to past the first pages.

I loved this book. I have recommended it to several people, including my two adult daughters who also loved it. In many ways is a mystery with many twists and turns on the way to solving the many mysteries the protagonist encounters. You have just reached the part where it starts to get really interesting.

I enjoyed it, but I'm also one who would quit a book after 75 or so pages if it wasn't really gasping my attention because, like you, I have other books lined up to read. If it really isn't your cup of tea, set it aside. Maybe in the future when you don't have a stack of other books to read, go back to it. My first attempt at Wuthering Heights was around 70 pages. Later when I didn't have other books on hand, I picked it up again and fell in love with the book and have now read it many times. Sorry for my long answer :)

You have to keep reading this book is amazing!

My rule is: if I don't care what happens to the character after 50 pages then I don't bother to read more. Having said that, I really liked this book.

Loved it and have reread a few times. But if you are not into it, maybe put it aside and read a book that you really are into. Too many good books out there to waste precious reading time on books that don't do it for you.

I agree with the comments and what I could add would be a spoiler. However, if you are not enjoying it, put it aside or read it inbetween other books.

Did I like it? Overall - no. The mid-section of the book is the best leading to what some call excellent, some say very good and I say anti-climatic wind-up.