This was an enjoyable read. It says on the back cover of the book that it is a love letter to reading, and I whole heartedly agree. The story is simple and its beauty lies in the emotion Setterfield gives her characters for the reader to experience. The story is more felt than simply understood. This novel has gothic elements, which I enjoy very much, and the story keeps you guessing until the very end like a good mystery (minus the cheese). The main character, Margaret Lea, is the quiet and reserved daughter of a bookshop owner. She also has a hobby of writing biographies about select people, preferably deceased. Miss Vida Winter is an internationally loved author on her death bed looking to finally tell her life story to someone worthy and capable of properly recording it. The two characters come together to once and for all go through the true life of Vida Winter, something many people before Margaret had attempted but failed. By mixing the present with the past in a way that makes the reader experience both, this novel is a true example of great storytelling. While I don't personally relate to the experiences of twin life (I may have had I been a twin myself), I do appreciate the way in which Setterfield reflects the good and bad found in all families. She brings to light the fact that every family has skeletons and coming to terms with ones own family secrets allows a person to understand more about themselves. I would love to see a film adaptation of this book and look forward to reading more novels by this Setterfield. A fabulous debut!
Rating 4/5
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