sarah - it looks like it would be interesting to read the books that B&N included in the add and then read this one!

The NYT had this blurb about it:

"Then there's another debut novel, ''The Thirteenth Tale,'' a gothic story about an antiquarian bookseller's daughter who is invited to write a reclusive famous novelist's biography. Atria Books paid $1.5 million for it in a two-book deal with the British author Diane Setterfield.

Ms. Hensley of Barnes & Noble, one of the most powerful taste-makers in the publishing industry, has dubbed Ms. Setterfield's book ''this year's 'Historian.' ''

There's also the attached article about the book deal that appeared in The Independent.

Here is a link that might be useful: Independent Article

Based on the articles I've seen so far, this book sounds like something I would like (I loved The Historian) and it's already on my wish list for Christmas. If anyone here has read it, I'd also love to hear a review!

Odd - Amazon has it paired with My Sister's Keeper on a "buy together" deal.

Probably because they have a stack of My Sister's Keeper sitting around.
^^
>meow.

I was in Barnes & Noble today and saw it on a display table. I thought it looked quite intriguing and am hoping to pick it up from the library.

ccrdmrbks...

Tell us what you really think about Picoult's books ;) !

Thanks for the link, Georgia Peach.

I guess I should have mentioned the title in my post title. I see another thread got started on this book. So far, though, no one seems to have read it.

Thanks for the heads up. This sounds exactly my cup of tea. I'll look for it.

This book looks so good. I already have it on my Hold List at the library.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Oh golly! Oh gosh! sarah canary, thanks so much for remembering my propensity for the gothic. My mother named me well...:-)
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore--Poe, of courseWhile I think there can never be too many gothic novels, I have to admit that some of the recent efforts have disappointed me -- something is missing from them, but blamed if I can tell you what!

I enjoyed The Historian. The beginning was like a dam bursting and I was entranced; but two-thirds in, it seemed to dry up (or I did -- I'm not sure which). The ending still bothers me. Oh well. I still liked it well enough to reread it.

Not so with the much-vaunted The Sisters Mortland -- that one was pretty much a dud from the get-go, IMO.

But the Amazon reviews compare The Thirteenth Tale to Daphne du Maurier and the Brontes...well, they better not be hyping -- though I should be used to it, since just about every gothic that comes out gets an obligatory, it seems, comparison to DduM or those Yorkshire sisters. Still, I can hope!

I'm anxious to read Setterfield's effort. Maybe, if enough are interested, we can have a discussion. Anyone game?

If we planned to discuss it, that would give me a reason to go buy it now rather than wait for the holidays ... twist my arm, twist my arm ... *VBG*

I started reading The Thirteenth Tale yesterday and through page 75 it is very good and difficult to put down. The author obviously loves books and reading and she has a wonderful way of putting words together. Had it not been for other commitments I think I would be close to the end by now.

If you are a member of the free Borders Rewards program they have a coupon for 40% off; otherwise, Borders has it at a 30% discount now. Is that enough arm twisting?

OK, see, the least little bit of encouragement from you guys and I completely lose the smidgen of book-buying control I have. So I bought TTT this afternoon (30% off at Target, too) and now can't wait to start it. Unfortunately, I have an overdue library book to finish first! I know what I'll be doing tonight ...

I'm up for a discussion if anyone else is.

I really want to find this one but my library is so slow to buy new books and process them and I have sworn I will not purchase any more books.....but you guys keep mentioning discounts, etc. etc. There goes my self control and my budget....;-)

While I generally hesitate to make recommendations here (after all, I thoroughly enjoyed The Da Vinci Code), The Thirteenth Tale is so enjoyable that it is difficult to imagine anyone not liking it (a sure sign that it will be on next year's "least liked fiction" list). Anyway, I'm finding I want to make it last a long time because it is so interesting and well written and different from the books I have read lately. I don't want to say anything specific until others have read it.

I'm considering buying this too, it looks very intriguing. My hesitation is Border's newsletter compares it to Shadow of the Wind and I didn't care for that at all. (I know I'm odd man out on that!) But the story line sounds sooo good. Those that have read it, have you read Shadow of the Wind?

Maggie, I did read and love The Shadow of the Wind and there is definitely some similarity in the storyline. It would be impossible for me to say whether you would like or dislike The Thirteenth Tale based on that, however. The writing style is different, to the best of my memory. Also, I have not yet finished TTT so I don't know how far the similarities will extend. It probably depends on what you didn't like about The Shadow of the Wind.

Now that I have finished The Thirteenth Tale I can say that the similarities to The Shadow of the Wind are the love of books and reading and the parallels between the current and past lives in the stories being told. Otherwise, I would say that The Shadow of the Wind was a "heavier" book in a way, meaning that it touched more on politics and history. The Thirteenth Tale, while completely serious in tone, also has some bits of humor that I just loved.

It is a very discussion-worthy book, in my opinion, because I have some questions that I can't ask without creating spoilers.

I didn't realize this post was about The Thirteenth Tale! I loved it! and would recommend it. I don't want to say much about the book and give anything away but it is gothic (in a good way) and reminded me of a really good fairy tale for adults. I believe that's what the author planned on and she accomplished it very well.

I finished this last night and would love to discuss it! I also have some spoiler questions and would love to hear everyone's opinion.

I'm No. 47 on the library list and will have to avoid the discussion thread. Late to the party again.