This has been on my wishlist and a very dear friend gave it to me today as an early birthday present.

"All children mythologize their birth...So begins the prologue of reclusive author Bida Winter's collection of stories, which are as famous for the mystery of the missing thirteenth tale as they are for the delight and enchantment of the twelve that do exist.
The enigmatic Winter hasa spent six decades creating various outlandish life histories for herself-all of them inventions that have brought her fame and fortune but have kept her violent and tragic past a secret. Now old and ailing, she at last wants to tell the truth about her extraordinary life. She summons biographer Margaret Lea, a young woman for whom the secret of her own birth, hidden by those who loved her most, remains an ever-present pain.Struck by a curious parallel between Miss Winter's story and her own, Margaret takes on the commission.
As Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good, Margaret is mesmerized. It is a tale of gothic strangeness featuring the Angelfield family, including the beautiful and willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess, a topiary garden and a devastating fire.
Margaret succumbs to the power of Vida's storytelling but remains suspicious of the author's sincerity. She demands the truth from Vida, and together they confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming finally, transformed by the truth themselves."

I had to read this book in bits and bobs due to work, tired, life etc... Therefore Im not sure if I found it choppy because of this or if the author's writing was a little uneven. Parts of the story really grabbed me but then the next chapter seemed to plod along slowly. It will be interesting to see what others think. Nonetheless Im glad that I finished the book and liked the last quarter of the story quite alot.

Passing this on today to cestmoi when a bunch of friends get together for birthday tea!!

On loan from my birthday pal, chronicbooker3. I promise to read it before Christmas!

Wow. What an incredible novel and one I won't forget quickly. It had a very Gothic feel and the writing style reminded me of Sarah Waters.

Two sets of twins are born - at different times and in different places - yet their lives become entwined when Margaret, a bookshop keeper's daughter is hired to write the biography of Vida Winter. Winter is an ill, aging and reclusive diva in the writing world. She spins stories about her own life just as easily as she does for the pages she publishes. There is secrecy and mystery surrounding her life and her family.

Margaret only accepts the job if Vida promises to tell the truth and asks for three facts that she (Margaret) can check. So their relationship begins - at first based on professional needs, then slowly an odd friendship and dependency grows between them. Bit by bit Vida tells her "real" story, or does she?

Bit by bit, Margaret pieces it all together until the truth is crystal clear.

The writer uses many techniques to draw the reader into all the simultaneous storylines and yet keep them all clear. There is a definite turning point that is important to the story and although Margaret catches it - she doesn't understand its true meaning until much later.

Two sets of twins are born - what happens to them?

Going back to chronicbooker3.

Thank you for sharing, this too will be on my holiday read list.

This is back home with me.

Passing this on to a bookmooch member.

This has arrived with the bookmooch member.