The line between life and death is narrow and dark, and a bereaved twin lives closer to it than most

The line between life and death is narrow and dark, and a bereaved twin lives closer to it than most

In Diane Setterfield's novel "The Thirteenth Tale," the theme of life and death is a central focus, particularly in relation to the bond between twins. The line between life and death is portrayed as narrow and dark, and for a bereaved twin, this line becomes even more pronounced and haunting.

The protagonist of the novel, Margaret Lea, is a twin who has lost her sister at a young age. Throughout the story, Margaret grapples with the grief and emptiness that comes with losing a twin, someone who was not only a sibling but a mirror image of herself. The bond between twins is often described as a unique and unbreakable connection, and when one twin dies, the surviving twin is left to navigate a world that feels incomplete and unfamiliar.

Setterfield explores the idea that bereaved twins live closer to the line between life and death than most people. The loss of a twin can feel like a part of oneself has been ripped away, leaving a void that is impossible to fill. The bereaved twin is constantly reminded of their own mortality and the fragility of life, as they are faced with the stark reality of death in a way that others may not fully understand.