Let's Talk About Diane Setterfield

[@abookolive]

I'm so down for a readalong of Bellman & Black in September!

[@katiejlumsden]

Hooray! :)

[@BlatantlyBookish]

Diane Setterfield is probably my favorite contemporary author and I cannot thank you enough for introducing me to her work a few years ago! The Thirteenth Tale has a special hold on my heart as well, which is what gives it that extra special star. I must read Bellman & Black soon. It will be tough to wait after hearing that brilliant intro, but I think I can manage to control my bookish appetite until a read-along happens in September.

[@katiejlumsden]

She really is such an amazing author. And yes, I think you'd enjoy Bellman & Black.

[@LuminousLibro]

I agree with you completely about her writing style! So many authors with a lyrical style overdo it, and they just sound like they're trying too hard. It makes me tired to read them. It literally exhausts my brain to trudge through all their descriptions and flowery language. But Setterfield uses it "as a tool to serve the story." YES! Perfect description! Her writing is dense in some ways, rich and luscious, but easy to read because it flows so naturally. Love this video!

[@katiejlumsden]

Yay, thanks :) She's such a brilliant writer!

[@darraghmallon9703]

YES!! My FAVOURITE contemporary novelist, such a gem.

[@katiejlumsden]

She's amazing!

[@reginalemoine5809]

That juxtaposition of Victorian scientific curiosity with the fantastical/supernatural has become my favorite plot device in historical fiction as well. I can’t get enough of those novels.

[@katiejlumsden]

Agreed!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

I think you are right about the quality of her writing. It is unobtrusive so could be underestimated. She does a great crowd scene. I found myself comparing the scenes in the pub in Once Upon a River with the ones in Silas Marner and they held up really well. She also managed a nuanced and convincing portrayal of a person with Down Syndrome which I think was a first for me in a book. Reminded me about your video on disability in Victorian novels which I thought was brilliant. Please do the one about the supernatural in historical fiction. I love it when an author can pull it off without it seeming silly or unnecessary.

[@katiejlumsden]

Her writing is just so good! The video on supernatural things in historical fiction has been filmed, but not edited, so it'll be up soon :)

[@CendaquentaBooks]

Ooh, I eagerly await the "possibly-supernatural historical fiction" video, it's a niche genre I'm particularly fond of as well. I would like to thank you for introducing me to Diane Setterfield's work, actually - I read _The Thirteenth Tale_ for the first time because of your readalong last year, and adored it. Have since read _Once Upon a River_ too and _Bellman & Black_ is currently part of my owned TBR. I'd love to participate in another readalong... providing I can resist picking it up before September.

[@katiejlumsden]

I've filmed it but not edited it yet, so it should be up soon! :)

[@BabyTables]

I loved The Thirteenth Tale and I'm so looking forward to Once Upon a River. I'm so excited to watch your video on books that have a possible supernatural element while not being true fantasy (though I love fantasy too). One of my favorite elements of Thomas Hardy's novels is the mixing and mingling of modern England (modern farming machines, Christianity and Victorian social mores) and ancient England (stone circles, folk superstitions mummer plays).

[@katiejlumsden]

Agreed! Once Upon a River is definitely one I think you'll enjoy if you like Hardy as well. It has that kind of Victorian rural life feel.

[@ceebeegeegies]

Yes! I heard of The Thirteenth Tale through this channel and now Diane Setterfield is a favorite of mine.

[@katiejlumsden]

That makes me very happy to hear!

[@AmandaQuotidianBooks]

I'd definitely join in with the B&B readalong! Libby speaks highly of it; it is already on my TBR :) I read the Thirteenth Tale on audiobook years ago and wasn't that impressed. I had just read The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton, which dealt with Victorian, red-haired twins and family secrets, so I don't think it felt that original to me. I wonder what I'll think of B&B and if reading TTT, rather than listening to it, would make me appreciate it more :)

[@katiejlumsden]

Once Upon a River is very different, and one I'd recommend. It's interesting that you read The Forgotten Garden and The Thirteenth Tale together - they were actually my two favourite modern books as a teenager, though The Thirteenth Tale has stayed with me much longer!

[@pimpz7409]

This one is one of my all time favourites!

[@katiejlumsden]

She's a great author!

[@CharlieBrookReads]

I would love to take part in a read-a-long for Bellman & Black. I am planning to read The Thirteenth Tale in June ... Maybe in May if I can get through my TBR but that might be pushing it a bit !! 😉❤️ It was interesting hearing talk about these three books side my side ... They all sound so good Xxx ❤️

[@katiejlumsden]

I so, so hope you enjoy The Thirteenth Tale!

[@karenkoutsoumbaris6308]

Thankyou Katie , I have the thirteenth tale on my kindle so I will start it! I’ve been reading the priory of the orange tree by Samantha Shannon and it’s quite long but I love it . There are so many characters I need to just st

[@katiejlumsden]

I really hope you like it!

[@Hannah-xn4st]

I read Once Upon a River earlier this year and really enjoyed it!! I definitely MUST read The Thirteenth Tale- I'm sooo exited about it, it sounds such a "me" book! Historical fiction, creepy children, big houses, governesses, books- sign me up!!!! Everything I could want in a story:) Bellman and Black also sounds intriguing- although I think I'll save that one for Halloween time!

[@katiejlumsden]

You must - The Thirteenth Tale is so amazing!

[@helenmccourt2907]

I loved The Thirteenth Tale! Would love the join the readalong of Bellman & Black in September.

[@katiejlumsden]

It is really amazing!

[@constancespincycle]

Yes! I would love to participate in a read along in September. I just read the Thirteenth Tale and it was truly wonderful.

[@katiejlumsden]

Great :)

[@tomreadsthings7145]

I haven’t read any of her work yet but after this video I will definitely pay a visit to Toppings at the weekend to pick up one of her books. I love historical fiction books with a good mix of beautiful writing and strong characterisation and plot, I think that is why I love The Binding so much! 👍🏻

[@katiejlumsden]

I really must read The Binding sometime!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I'm currently reading Bellman & Black. I've read Once Upon a River in March and The Thirteenth Tale last year.

[@katiejlumsden]

I hope you enjoy it :)

[@genresandjournals]

I’ve not heard anyone talk about Bellman and Black before. I’ll have to add it to my tbr. I look forward to the readalong.

[@katiejlumsden]

It certainly is a bit underrated, but is a really fantastic book!

[@DearReaders_thisisJess]

I will be picking up The Thirteenth Tale soon! It has been on my shelf for quite awhile now.

[@katiejlumsden]

I really hope you like it!

[@michaeldugan3589]

Absolutely! I liked 13th. I did, but i really enjoyed B&B . Loved it. The Victorian cult/fetish of death and mourning...and the crow thing:) The River is like chocolate. I have read it and have listened to it on Audible. The audio production is brilliant. So, ditto.

[@katiejlumsden]

I must listen to some Diane Setterifield on audiobook - I can imagine her work fits the form well.

[@reginalemoine5809]

I am almost finished with Once Upon a River on audiobook and it is brilliant.

[@leeah8419]

She can really set the mood right from the start. Never heard of her but I think I'm going to check out The Thirteenth Tale if you say it's worthy of 6 stars

[@katiejlumsden]

It really is - I highly recommend!

[@ChaoticBibliophile]

I didn't really know much about her, but you've sold me on all three books haha So I'll definitely check her out and maybe join the readalong!

[@katiejlumsden]

Great :) She's a brilliant writer.

[@LibbyStephenson]

In a shocking turn of events, I am totally down with yearly Setterfield readalongs. Fingers (very optimistically) crossed that she'll have something new for us in 2021!

[@katiejlumsden]

Hooray! Possibly a little optimistic though :P

[@astoryandasong]

I love your intro it's so cute! Also a new author for me to try :)

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks!

[@jessica-fcm]

Hi Katie!! I love your videos. I have a video request for you, here's the idea: I'd love to see your recommendations on "cozy" books - books that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, perfect to read in a rainy day inside. What do you think? :) P. S. : I feel positively cozy when I see the clips of you pouring the tea! Hehe

[@katiejlumsden]

I'll have a think :) The only really cosy favourite of mine would probably be Pride and Prejudice - although a lot of 19th century novels are very cosy for me :)

[@jessica-fcm]

@@katiejlumsden yay!! Thanks for replying!! ❤️📚 Kisses from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@celialw]

I’d love to hear your recommendations on books that may or may not be supernatural. I love those kinds of books!

[@katiejlumsden]

The video will hopefully be up some time next week :)

[@neusvillegasalba8419]

Thank you for this enticing video. I will certainly read Once Upon a River. The Thirteenth Tale is one of my favourite books of all time and I like Diane Setterfield's writing style a lot. Unfortunately, I had to put down Bellman and Black because it depressed me so much. Perhaps it was also because I expected to read something more like The Thirteenth Tale.

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks! I do love her books a lot, and maybe it's worth giving Bellman & Black another try sometime.

[@BeatrixOnyx]

Please do the read along in September. It sounds like such an intriguing book.

[@katiejlumsden]

It's definitely in my plan!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

Just followed the link from this to your video about Jon McGregor. It was a delightful surprise to find out that you love McGregor as I have gathered you are not keen on more experimental fiction. But as you say he is an extraordinary writer and is not using unconventional form to be artificially "clever" which is such a turn off for the reader. Knowing that you enjoy McGregor gives me confidence to suggest you may like to look at Lanny by Max Porter if you haven't already. It is short and intense so you would probably devour it in one sitting. Hope you do the September readalong as I haven't read Bellman and Black and this would be a push to do so.

[@katiejlumsden]

I must read Lanny - I enjoyed Grief is the Thing with Feathers. And yes, I love Jon McGregor a lot - like I've said before, I'm not always a huge fan of more experimental fiction, but he does it in such a brilliant way that it feels like it's necessary to telling the story he's telling, not just experimentation for the sake of it! :)

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

I need to reread The Thirteenth Tale. If you do a readalong of Bellman and Black in September I'd like to participate.

[@katiejlumsden]

I'm definitely planning on doing one now :)

[@raisingforhim3186]

Ooh I have not heard of her!

[@katiejlumsden]

I certainly recommend!

[@michaelstark4520]

Hi, I don't know if you're going to read this, but can you imagine loving Dickens and not being able to read it? I've read David Copperfield and Oliver Twist and I want to read Nicholas Nickelby but I can't, I don't understand your language very well, but I can understand your love for Dickens, can you imagine not being able to read Dickens? I read him little compared to you, but I already love his books, it's sad.

[@katiejlumsden]

That does sound hard. I hope you manage to enjoy his work in translation?

[@suheirh.mohammed4577]

Would you please try to put the subtitles in Arabic language because we're not English native speaker. Thanks

[@embemw]

Maybe slow down a bit? Had to put you on 75%. 😋

[@DrinkingByMyShelf]

I loved Thirteenth Tale but only *quite* liked Once Upon A River - Bellman and Black sounds right up my alley so definitely trying that next!

[@katiejlumsden]

I certainly do recommend Bellman and Black too :)