The Thirteenth Tale | Readalong Discussion (with spoilers)
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2024
- In which I talk about my reread of The Thirteenth Tale...
Be warned: this video contains ALL THE SPOILERS.
The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield: / 864037.the_thirteenth_...
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I also think it was Adeline who was saved from the fire, which would explain why she was attempting to get back into the library - for Emmeline. I don’t think Emmeline would have tried to go back in for Adeline - the story tells of her finally fighting back and standing up to Adeline over the ‘loss’ of the baby. This is a second read for me and there were so many more clues and important elements in the story that I picked up on this time. So glad I joined in the read-along - your enthusiasm for this book is infectious!!
I agree. Such a great book! I'm glad you enjoyed your second read :) It's so interesting to pick up on all the clues.
I must agree with you both, but I still had that creepy feeling that maybe she did save the wrong sister. I think I need to reread the book as I went through it much too quickly.
Thank you I really enjoyed this book!
I thought it must have been Emmeline who died in the fire as Vida Winter wouldn’t have kept her child Aurelius apart and a secret living away from her. It makes more sense for me that Adeline has survived the fire.
I agree there too.
I just finished this last night and came here to see what you thought of who was who at the end. I think Adeline at the end because Emmeline would’ve wanted that baby, were it her. Yet she never asks for him again. And Emmeline came out of the separation okay. So she would’ve come back around after all those years without Adeline.
The readalong was so fun! (My Goodreads handle is Dee Dee, btw.) I agree that it was great to read everyone's theories along the way. I definitely did not guess the twist, but thinking back can remember lots of clues the author left along the way. Like remember when Hester and the Doctor are planning the experimental separation and it's implied that Adeline was spying on them? Nope, not her!
I'm not sure which twin survived the fire. I think I'd have to reread the book knowing the ending and pay attention to all the times Vida references Emmeline or her fate to make a judgment. However, I think that part of the point of the ending is that when a twin loses her sister, she emerges from that experience fundamentally changed. Half a person and almost unrecognizable from her former self. So the survivor is almost neither Emmeline nor Adeline.
Would love to participate in more readalongs/buddy reads in the future!
Great, I'm hoping to do more readalongs (of this length!) in the future. I love all the twists and it's such a wonderful novel; I do agree that the survivor is kind of neither of them, as she's so traumatised by the fire. Thanks for joining in with the read :)
I just finished reading it for the first time and I feel like reading it again! I loved this vlog style review.
Thanks :)
I remember leaving with the impression that it was Emmeline who died in the fire, with Adeline surviving as you said.. but I can’t remember what made me think that now because I don’t remember thinking it was too ambiguous.. I’ll have to reread that section later!
That's what I thought too on the rereads, though I think the first time I read it I wasn't sure. Such an interesting novel.
I think it was Emmeline who survived the fire, actually, because Adeline I don't think would have talked to Margaret, even in twin language, when Margaret finds her in the garden. Emmeline was always more social, and she was the one Hester heard speaking in twin language, while Adeline never did when she was at the Doctor's house. And she reacted so strongly when she saw Aurelius; would Adeline have even cared? Plus I think it would be even more tragic for it to be Emmeline, that Vida wanted to leave Adeline behind but when Adeline died, Emmeline became more like Adeline?
That is interesting - I like the idea that Emmeline might become more like Adeline after her death. I always thought that the woman in the garden is talking to herself in twin language, not to Margaret, though. I love the ambiguity of it.
Absolutely adored this book, and there's not nearly enough of it on booktube!
I'm so glad you liked it :)
A wonderful reading!! I think the twin that survived was Adeline. I think Vida Winter knew it when they were out of the house in the rain after the fire.
Thanks - I think I agree there.
I just finished it. Wow, what a book. So, I had some theories while I was reading it. Main one being that Charlie and Isabelle were not dead and they both have gone insane. They were hiding in the house to take revenge on the servants and the daughters. I was correct about the hidding part though. I had many more. I did not sleep a wink last night because my mind was full of theories. The book could have taken any turn and it would still be considered the best book ever since the foundation of the book was laid so superbly. Really, the possibilities were endless. At the end, I too thought that Emmeline was Adeline but Vita still believes that it is Emmeline. In a way, it is a rather ironic ending to their story because the sister who was supposed to be hidden from everyone becomes quite well known while the known and cared sisters' existence becomes quite vague at the end. But wow, what a book. Thanks for the recommendation. Now I am going to watch the adaptation.
I'm glad you enjoyed it :) The adaptation is a bit weak, to be honest - it's not a patch on the book!
I loved the book. The writing and the gothic atmosphere reminded me of Wuthering Heights.Never guessed there were three children at the house.
Thank you for recommending this book to us.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It's certainly very Wuthering Heights-esque.
I just found a copy at the charity shop and started he book yesterday, so I will be back to watch this video! Just wanted to share that. I've had this book on my wishlist for a while so I'm hoping I will love it.
I hope you enjoy it!
I also really enjoyed reading this book, although not as much as you did I'm afraid (sorry :/). I think that's perhaps because I guessed the twist quite early on in the book. And then all the little hints seem to make it very obvious. But I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the book love, and especially Aurelius as a character. And you talking so enthusiastic about it makes me like it even more in retrospect :)
I'm glad you enjoyed it, a least somewhat; it's interesting that you guessed the twist early, as very few other people seem to have guessed it. I love Aurelius too - he's one of my favourites!
I didn’t guess the twist of 3 at all and I loved that moment when things fell into place like tumblers in a lock as soon as it was revealed! I think Emmeline perished in the fire, I don’t think Vida would have felt the need to hide her away if she had been the survivor. Another aspect of the book that struck me throughout was the state of the House as the years and events unfolded, it became a character for me as well. My favorite character was John the Dig, I was so sad when he died. Thank you for hosting this readalong, it was so enjoyable. Im looking forward to to Victober and after reading this book am glad I’ve chosen Jane Eyre as part of my TBR - ghosts, hidden family members, fires set in anger? Hmmm🤓
It's a great book for getting into a Victorian mood :) I love John-the-Dig too. Such a fascinating character. I agree that I think Emmeline died in the fire, though it's taken me three reads to decide that! I love the house as a character too. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book!
Saving this to my watch later for after I read the book. I have it, but have yet to crack it open.
I hope you like it when you get to it :)
I finished the book a few days ago. Loved it.
I'm glad to hear it :)
I thoroughly enjoyed this reread. I, too think it was Emmeline who died in the fire.
Agreed - such an interesting book though!
I just finished this, and I already want to reread. It was so beautiful, disturbing, charming, and shocking all at the same time!!
It is just so great!
Loved this book, thank you Katie... I thought it was Emmeline who died in the fire but I like that we don't really know. I totally didn't guess the twist at all, I thought maybe Adeline was pretending to be Emmeline hehe. Xx
It's such a great twist!
Oops I'm reading it now
Really loved this read-along! Thank you so much for organizing it.
I'm so glad you liked it Britta :)
I also thought that adeline was the one who perished in the fire.
I thought it was Emmeline?
I think Emmiline died in the fire as I don’t think she would keep her part form her child.
Agreed - that's another good point.
So, am I the only one really disappointed by the ending? It felt like The Hsitorian--which I LOVED--until the end :(
Not me I'm afraid! I haven't read the Historian so not sure on that one.
I’ve tried to reread that book over and over. Own 2 copies, and cannot get into it. 😩