The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Please find the discussion questions for our October 2023 pick, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield below! I’d love to hear what you thought of the book.

• You can the ongoing book club discussions in the Facebook group here.
• You can order your copy of the book here or you can buy all three of our quarter 4 book club picks (at a discounted rate!) here.

QUESTION 1

The Thirteenth Tale contains nods to classic gothic literature and has obviously been inspired by that style of writing. Did it remind you of any other books that you’ve read or enjoyed?

QUESTION 2

This is a brilliant book for book lovers and books play such an important role in the story. What did you think about Lea and Winter’s relationships to books and stories. Could you relate to them? What is your relationship to books? Do you agree with Winter that stories can reveal truth better than simply stating it?

QUESTION 3

Who was your favourite character? 

QUESTION 4

Did you have any particular favourite moments in the story?

QUESTION 5

The two houses in The Thirteenth Tale – Angelfield and Winter’s estate – are prominent in the story. How do the houses reflect the characters who live in them? What do you think they represent?

QUESTION 6

As the story unfolds, we learn that Margaret and Miss Winter are both twins. What else do they have in common?

QUESTION 7

Winter asks Lea if she would like to hear a ghost story. Who are the ghosts in the story? In what ways are different characters haunted?

QUESTION 8

When did you first suspect Miss Winter’s true identity? Whether you knew or not, looking back, what clues can you recognise now?

QUESTION 9

The narrator gives some hints, but never tells the exact date. When do YOU? think The Thirteenth Tale takes place? 

QUESTION 10

Diane Setterfield has also written two other books – Once Upon a River and Bellman & Black. Have you read either of them? Will you be tempted to pick up copies now you’ve read The Thirteenth Tale?