"Mexican Gothic" was one of my most-anticipated reads of 2020, and I really enjoyed it despite it not being anything like what I thought it would be. Firstly, I'd like to say that I cannot think of many books that got under my skin in the way that "Mexican Gothic" did. As someone who likes horror, and is not easily scared, I will say that this book was freaky. In a good way. It reminded me a bit of the "Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, I felt like I was slowly going a little crazy while reading. The lines between illusion and reality were frequently pushed and tested, and the creepy atmospheric only added to the unease I had while reading. And for that I love it. I also really liked the analysis of race, and the depiction of the European colonisation Mexico. I thought it was relevant and well written. It made me more interested in reading further into Mexican history, specifically colonisation. I also really liked the balance of magical realism and sci-fi elements of gothic literature such as "Frankenstein". I thought the books themes were really handled really well, and the literary devices (symbols, motifs, etc.) were tastefully woven into the story. The only thing I felt the story was lacking the characterisation of Noémi felt quite weak, and I never felt particularly attached to her as we were given very little about her character from the beginning and we were really just thrown into the middle of the story. Other than that the story was definitely interesting, and I will surely be reading more of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's work. I would probably recommend going into the story blindly though, I feel like the synopsis definitely did not prepare me for the kind of story that unfolded. It also felt a bid misleading. Overall though a very well-crafted and engaging story.

When I began 'Mexican Gothic,' I wasn't sure what to expect. I'd never read anything by Silvia Moreno-Garcia before, but the cover and title compelled me. The basic plot is somewhat as follows:

Noemí, a young socialite from Mexico City, is sent by her father to check on her recently-wed cousin, Catalina, who has been sending worrying letters to them. Upon arrival in the mountainous town of El Triunfo, Noemí is whisked away to High Place, a mansion built above the town, where she gets to know the Doyle family Catalina married into. Noemí slowly begins to realise something is deeply wrong with not only Catalina, but the family and their house.

I will admit, I wasn't hooked immediately: the main character Noemí and I don't have much in common, and her whole schtick of 'I'm a sexy, intelligent young socialite who plays dumb' got old very quickly. The only semblance of depth that's given to her character is that she... wants to do a Master's in Anthropology? As an anthropology student myself, this was enticing, as were the name-drops of anthropological classics, but this never really ventured beyond a surface-level interest and I wasn't particularly impressed with this as a facet of her character. Beyond that, her personality consisted of liking parties and boys and driving convertibles. Those things aren't bad, but I just wasn't particularly impressed with this characterisation -- she isn't anything exciting, and particularly as most of the book is set in a place where she can't access the interests which make up her personality. I'm not the type of person to rave over 1950s aesthetics, either, so while this added a fun filter to the book (which honestly could have been set in any decade), it wasn't a major draw for me.

I also continually struggled with the writing in this book. It felt over-flowery, and not in a way that might be excused as accurately representing the language of the 1950s. Details felt exaggerated in a way that I hung on to them, thinking they would come back to be important later on, but they rarely did. The (spoilers!) mushroom-centric plot felt evident to me, but looking at other reviews I see that isn't the case for everyone, so I won't be too hung up on it. Situations felt absolutely contrived, and people behaved in ways which felt incredibly unnatural to me, with no questions raised by those around them. The varying lucidity of Catalina, for example, meant she had plenty of chances to explain herself properly, but never did - why?! And Noemí travelled all that way to see Catalina, and then barely spent any time with her. I kept feeling SO frustrated, but pushed through for the sake of this review.

On the flip side, there were things I really liked about 'Mexican Gothic,' I loved reading a historical novel set in Mexico, as this was something I'm unfamiliar with, and the cultural aspects were really interesting. I'd have liked to have seen even more of Mexican culture throughout -- tidbits in Spanish, for example, or even some acknowledgement or discussion of cultural difference between the Mexican Noemí and the English Doyle family. However, the author is actually Mexican, so I suppose it's up to her how much she wants to explicitly talk about Mexico.

As I kept reading, I realised this was a horror novel - something I'd managed to miss when I picked it up! Though I wouldn't normally go for horror, the plot really drew me in, and at times, reading late at night, I felt genuine fear, and though I knew I needed to put it down, I couldn't. I needed to know the ending! Because of this, I finished this book in about three days' time, so that's certainly a commendation on my part.

I liked the [spoiler] power of the mushrooms, the way it was slowly revealed and explained, and I liked the characterisation of Francis, and the complex family history which didn't feel unnecessarily inserted, and was relatively easy to follow. I appreciated that the novel wasn't afraid to shy away from difficult topics like rape and suicide, though these discussions did seem to spring from the blue a bit. I liked that the book didn't go the easy route of 'supernatural haunting,' but chose a scientific explanation for apparently-supernatural phenomena.

On a more surface level, I also enjoyed the font and formatting of the book, and remain a fan of the front cover. The title felt a little unimaginative to me, for a book that wasn't going to be very explicitly about Mexico, but I enjoyed its unusualness all the same. I felt the length of the novel was appropriate and fun.

'Mexican Gothic' is a book I enjoyed reading. I won't be rushing back to it anytime soon, but appreciate that it pushed me a bit outside my comfort zone, and the interesting things it did with the subject matter.

4.25 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Jo Fletcher Books (Quercus Books) for providing me with the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an incredible novel that mixes horror, gothic and historical elements together. I think the first part of the story was a bit too slow and I was unsure where it would have gone, but then the pace changed and I found myself extremily captivated by what was happening.
I loved the atmosphere the author created and I enjoyed all the twists and turns.
It really is a very good book and if you love horror stories set in a decaying and mysterious house, then this one here will surely meet your taste!

Six Reasons to Pick up Mexican Gothic.

1 It is written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. 

...

Wait that is not enough for you? But I shall spell it out for you. 

2 Wonderful prose. 

Silvia Moreno-Garcia manages to get under your skin. She knows how to create an atmosphere through her writing and descriptions. The way a character acts, looks and moves all add greatly into that. As a writer she is very 

3 Slow build, Hard Slap 

The story builds up slowly with Noemi who goes out to her cousin in High Place after her father receives a letter from her cousin who asks to be saved from her new husband and current residence. The slow build helps set up the setting and moves in little details that are creepy but not proof of something necessarily.

And then bam, we move from a few drops to a big storm in a matter of a few moments. It was well crafted and set up.

4 Not Always Like-able Characters 

Our characters are not quite like-able characters which works very well with the setting.

Noemi is a debutante who cares a great deal about how she looks and comes across. Yet she is also tough and has dreams of attending university, even if that isn't quite acceptable for a woman of her standing. She comes from a place of privilege in the big city, and on occasion is honestly quite condescending.  It doesn't always make her that like-able. On the other hand there is also no question about her heart being in the right place. She's just human.

5 Romance Dynamic Interesting 

Very often these days we find love interests for main characters to be dominant, especially when it is in heterosexual relationships and it is a male. In this story this was different. Noemi strikes up a friendship with the youngest son of the family her cousin married into which then slowly turns into something more. He is shy and a kind soul. Noemi is much more straightforward in her interactions with him. I really appreciated that dynamic.

6 Creepy as Fuck

And lastly this book has a good amount of creepy going for it. Imagine having to go to a mansion where you are not welcome. When a graveyard is very close by. Where the house starts talking to you in your dreams and it is like there is blood everywhere. That it sometimes feels like someone is taking over your actions and feelings, but you can never quite put your finger on it. And then I'm not even talking of the creepfest at the end there.

If you enjoy dark noir books that creep you, this book set in setting that is not from the Western world, should for sure appeal to you. And otherwise Sylvia Moreno-Garcia's writing should sell you over.

The atmosphere in Mexican Gothic made my skin crawl - in the best way. It was so detailed and downright terrifying. From literal shivers to figurative shivers, I was haunted. From the beginning, Moreno-Garcia is a master at world building. You can feel the decay in the decadence. The barely disguised rotting floors, the musty carpets, but the way the glory is fighting to cling. I loved the pairing of this Gothic atmosphere with the setting, plus Noemí's glamor, her commitment to fun, and the chills.

If you ever wondered if buildings could talk, what would they say - then you have to read Mexican Gothic. This story perfectly embodies that question - wondering if the walls have ears, if the mirrors have eyes. The concept of living memories, of shadows and hauntings, of phantoms in the corners of dark rooms. Everything had a sinister feeling to it and the family was terrifying.

Noemí Taboada, a young socialite, “a glamorous debutante”, is sent to a distant small Mexican town to check on her recently married cousin. She arrives at a large, old house on the top of the hill that belongs to the Doyle family. The Doyles came from England many years ago to explore the silver mines. With time the mines were flooded with water and the extraction of silver had to stop. The Doyles are no longer the same wealthy family they used to be, and their house definitely took the toll for the worst - growing fungus, withering and decaying from negligence.

Reading the Goodreads interview with Silvia-Moreno Garcia I found it very interesting that they asked her about the house as being the large part of the story, but also working as an additional inanimated character. I loved Silvia-Moreno’s reply to this. Make sure to read the full review as well, if you’re interested in this book. It gives a great general look at the story and the motives behind it.

They were correct in asking about the house and the environment. It was these descriptions that really made the story creepy and eerie - I don’t think it would have been the same without the cemetery, the fog, and the scary stories and gossips

Noemí Taboada reminded me so much of Evie from the Diviners! And I loved her! Her looks and personalities were so different from the High Place and Doyle’s family. She bloomed with life, while the rest of the scenery was very morbid, pale and ugly. And I loved this contrast.

Also, I have to mention the gorgeous cover, that’s exactly how I imagined Noemí (except the dress), she is the one who stands out and it makes even more sense after reading the book.

While fun, fast-paced, and utterly compelling, the book wasn’t shallow, which is a huge plus. Silvia-Moreno Garcia seamlessly weaved into the story conversations about beauty, eugenics - the creation of a perfect human, improving humanity on the genetic level , as well as the conversation about inferior and superior races, supported with some real facts. I just think that it was so smart and made me like this book even more.

I was hoping that «Mexican Gothic» would be my new favorite book. Even though it didn’t happen, I loved Silvia-Moreno Garcia’s writing style and definitely will follow her work and read more of her books in the future . Last year she published «Gods of Jade and Shadow» that I hope to pick up soon!

Such a clever telling of a story deep within the gothic tradition, taking all the tricks of creating a gothic atmosphere but giving it a modern and enchanting twist.

The story of Noemi and her cousin Catalina is at once a charming society story set in 1950s Mexico and a horrific exploration of the deepest desires and diseases of the human heart and mind.

Beautifully executed and truly thrilling, I enjoyed this book so much as it takes you on a revelatory journey to some very dark places, all done with great style and true relish.

Whatcha Reading bimonthly post:

Last week I finished Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic (out June 30) after Elyse’s recommendation. I loved it! Socialite Noemí Taboada travels to her ill cousin’s aid after receiving a concerning letter about hallucinations. When she reaches the isolated and gloomy house by the forest, Noemí discovers that her cousin’s English in-laws are not what they seem. This book is creepy AF, so be prepared for spine-tingling dread and gothic horror.


Review:

CW: [murder, epidemic, incest, attempted rape, cannibalism, racism, eugenics, hallucinations, gore (hide spoiler)]

4.5 stars

Mexican Gothic is creepy as fuck and I might never sleep again. I say this with the highest of compliments. It’s a must-read for any lover of horror and gothic literature. I want to send it to my old English teachers; Mexican Gothic begs to be taught/analyzed along with the rest of the gothic horror canon.

I loved it. I’m too much of a scaredy-cat to ever reread it, but I loved it. I adored Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s 1920s Mayan fantasy Gods of Jade and Shadow last year and her foray into 195os Mexican gothic horror is equally brilliant. Not many authors can write well in multiple genres, but Moreno-Garcia deserves all the praise with her success at that feat. I must read her thriller Untamed Shore soon.

Tangential, out-of-context note: I really love mushrooms and now I’m considering cutting them out of my diet. Don’t read at night like me because you will not be able to sleep after finishing at 3 am. 😭

Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Mexican Gothic was an excellent creepy gothic horror novel, set in a mouldy old house in the hills of rural 1950’s Mexico.

In the beginning, our likeable modern young heroine Noemí receives a worrying letter from her married cousin Catalina. Catalina seems to have changed from the happy girl Noemí remembers and is now scared and in danger or suffering from delusions. Noemí travels to the isolated High Place to see if she can help her troubled cousin.

Noemí then discovers a sinister family at High Place with silent servants and a mysterious history, She is determined to help her cousin, but gets drawn ineluctably into the weird family dynamic.

This book has everything - a misty graveyard, a yellowing lace wedding dress, an evil uncle and possibly sentient mushrooms. A recommended read, but keep the lights on!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I never read a spooky gothic story set in Mexico, which would make this book unique for me. But, unfortunately it turned into a disappointment.

First of all, the book was very slow until the very end. Literally nothing happened, and I didn't feel any spookiness or any intrigue. I was literally bored. Also, I don't think the characterization is particularly good. Noemi seemed to have no clue for a very long time in the book. She went to this English mansion to look after her cousin, and she was just hanging around trying to make sense with no success. I don't feel like I got to know any of the characters, so didn't feel attached.
The descriptions of the house was the best part of the book. The writing wasn't bad, but simplistic in my view. I skimmed quite a lot as well.
Overall, it didn't deliver the spooky gothic novel for me.

Thanks a lot to the publisher and NG for this copy.

Thank you to netgalley for my arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

So Mexican Gothic. It’s a solid 3.5 stars from me. Not quite amazing but serious potential. If this was ever made into a film, it’s would be epic! Think A House on Haunted Hill mixed with Crimson Peak.

This book is a bit of a slow burn and very atmospheric. Personally I found it almost a bit too descriptive and I struggled though the first half. Then the book talks one hell of a crazy turn and all hell breaks loose! Definitely worth a read. Horror isn’t my preferred genre so I expect some people will absolutely love it!

Mexican Gothic follows Noemi a rich young socialite who, on the request of her father following the receipt of an unusual letter, travels to the remote mansion High Place to check on the wellbeing of her recently married cousin Catalina. Catalinas letter speaks of hauntings and strange goings on however her husband Virgil insists she is merely sick with tuberculosis. On arrival Noemi is thrust into an odd home with extremely strict rules imposed by its unusual inhabitants - in seeking to ensure the health and appropriate treatment of Catalina, Noemi begins to learn that all is not what it seems at High Place.

Noemi is a head strong individual, with a quirky attitude and an aptitude for enraging the inhabitants of High Place. Her character provides an entertaining base to what is essentially a thrilling paranormal storyline. Her interactions with Francis, an awkward young gentleman with a fondness for fungi, provide a lot of opportunity to see Noemi in action.

Although it took a little while for me to get into this story while the groundwork was delivered, once the pace quickened I found myself absorbed by the events unfolding. The history of the circumstances arising are well detailed without being overly so, pulling the story to a solid and fast paced conclusion.

Overall I enjoyed this book and the characters in it, it made for a thrilling and disturbing read at times and I would recommend it.

This was a gothic novel in the same style as Rebecca for the first half. Then things really escalated into some weirdness.

I found it a bit frustrating, but no doubt true to the times how little power Noemi had over what was going on. I did wonder though, given that she had so little power why her father sent her to try to help with no backup and not much concern for her safety.

I'm also not sure the pacing was as strong as it could have been. I will give it to the writer that when she decided to go there with the weirdness she really went there.

I would read more from this author.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

''The world might indeed be a cursed circle; the snake swallowed its tail and there could be no end, only an eternal ruination and endless devouring.'"

In the darkly rich setting of 1950s Mexico, a socialite named Noemí receives a frantic letter from her cousin to rescue her from the haunting High Place where she lives with her husband and his family. Noemí is drawn into this eerie mansion and thrust into a rather unfortunate situation, as she attempts to separate reality from her mind..

The best part of this novel, for me, was the gothic atmosphere created by Moreno-Garcia, managing to pull from traditional Gothic literature and adding her own spin. Noemí was an intelligent, witty protagonist who did her best at saving herself, her cousin, and solving the mystery of High Place.

I can't say the other characters themselves were very interesting, and I was revolted most of the time (with the exception of the cousin, Catalina, and sometimes Francis). I was mostly reading on for the mystery aspect rather than because I was interested in the character arcs. Since I was intrigued from the start about High Place, I was motivated to continue reading, but I still did read the book at quite a slow pace, even if I was enjoying it.

However, the shift in my feelings happened when the main plot twist was revealed, and the novel started going in an unprecedented direction. It definitely isn't like any other gothic horror book I've read before, and not necessarily in a good way. I think I was more disgusted by what was happening, but I know there were hints throughout the novel so the twist didn't come out of nowhere; it was all just a bit too strange for me, if I'm being honest.

The silver lining is I read the last quarter a lot quicker than the rest, which was made easier since the pace picked up as the climax neared. Though it did get a bit confusing at times, I got the general gist of the action, and was overall left satisfied by the ending.

This was one of my most highly anticipated reads of the year and, unfortunately, it has turned into one of my biggest disappointments.

Mexican Gothic is described as a gothic, historical, horror so I was expecting lots of atmospheric spookiness and, though it was beautifully written, it wasn’t atmospheric and it wasn’t spooky at all. This book really dragged and very little happened, certainly nothing that compelled me to keep reading. Had this not been an ARC, I would most likely have DNF’d it.

Things I Liked:
♥ Beautiful writing. Lyrical and great visual, descriptions.
♥ It felt very authentic. I’ve never read anything that takes place in the Mexican countryside and I think this book did a good job of making me feel like I was there.
♥ The concept was fairly unique.

Things I Disliked:
♡ This book was unbelievably slow. Very little happened plot-wise and, when it did, it was so far into the book that I was quite bored.
♡ I didn’t find the characterization to be particularly great. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters, which made it hard to care about how things turned it. The characterization of the house was, in my opinion, miles better than the actual characters.
♡ This book really lacked a spooky atmosphere. It definitely leaned more historical fiction than horror and I found myself more frustrated and annoyed than spooked.

Overall, I find myself very disappointed by this book but I do prefer books that are quicker paced- especially books that are intended to leave me anxious and scared. If you enjoy a slower paced book and don’t mind books that aren’t character-driven, I do think you would enjoy this as it is beautifully written.

Content Warnings - Racism, eugenics, pandemic, sexism, sexual assault, murder, suicide, rape, incest, drugs.

Thank you yo Quercus books for providing this review copy.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia digs deep into the British gothic tradition in her latest novel Mexican Gothic. Set in the mountains of the Mexican state of Hidalgo, Mexican Gothic transplants these traditions into a Mexican setting, creating deeper resonances of imperialism and control.
It is the early 1950s and Noemi Taboada is part of the high society of Mexico City. Attending chic parties, setting herself up as an object of desire for a bevy of young men. But when her father asks her to go and check on the welfare of her cousin she goes without hesitation. Her cousin Catalina has recently married a man called Doyle, heir to a British silver-mining family who have an estate near their now abandoned mines in the mountains of Hidalgo. Noemi soon finds herself in the Doyle’s spooky, isolated mansion, High Place, bristling at the rules imposed on her and her ailing cousin. But she is well read enough to notice the gothic stylings of the place and the silent people in it.
From there Moreno-Garcia turns up the gothic mood and hints of horrors to come. Noemi finds herself having strange dreams and sleepwalking. She starts to see the ghosts associated with family stories of killings. The house itself is perpetually covered in mist, and her walks take her to an even more creepy graveyard where her only ally, her cousin’s husband’s nephew Francis, gathers and sketched mushrooms. Francis is continually trying to encourage her to leave, but Noemi’s sense of honour and commitment to her cousin keeps her in the house even as her dreams get wilder and things get decidedly creepier.
Despite being familiar with gothic tropes, Noemi does not heed the warnings and about two thirds of the way through, Moreno-Garcia turns up the heat on her. The source of her troubles are explained in a way that has been hinted at so does not come as a total surprise either to Noemi or the reader, but by that time it is too late for Noemi to run. At this point the horror and thriller elements start to ramp up and Noemi finds herself confronting a malevolent and seemingly unstoppable force.
Moreno-Garcia has successfully transplanted the English gothic tradition to Mexico, in a way that has an imperial feel. Underpinning this horror tale is the story of how the British exploited the local Mexican people to further their silver mining concern. And there are undercurrents of the inherent racism of those imperialists, that continue through the Doyle family, juxtaposed not only against Noemi’s inherent Mexican-ness but her studies of anthropology. All of this adds depth to what is otherwise an effective gothic horror tale with a plucky, engaging heroine at its centre.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free Gothic novel.*

That was really creepy! It's the 1950s in Mexico and Noemí enjoys her life to the fullest: suitors, parties, studying at university. When her father receives a weird letter from her newlywed relative, Noemí is sent to the rural area where her cousin lives in an English mansion, high up on the mountain. She has trouble adjusting to the house, the people, and all the strange traditions and rituals, like not talking Spanish but English only or not talking at dinner. The house is in disrepair, there's mold everywhere and Noemí is plagued by dark and/or erotic nightmares. Her only ally seems to be the younger brother of her cousin's husband and the people from town who think the family is cursed.

History haunts the present, the house has a life of its own, and the longer Noemí stays, the harder it is to leave. This was really cool, because I absolutely adores the setting! Mexico during the 1950s is fascinating, I liked our somewhat vain but outspoken protagonist, and I loved how dark - how Gothic - it got. The pitfall of this novel (of all Gothic novels that I've read that were published recently) is how the supernatural is used to explain everything, which is sad. "Rebecca", and "Mexican Gothic" will be compared to "Rebecca", manages to evoke the supernatural but does not use it to explain everything that is going on. But apart from that, this was very very Gothic, very enjoyable and creepy. And the mushrooms!!

4,5 Stars

I love this book so much! It's amAZING!

How do I even begin to express that this book is good? I started off the book with a moderate expectation but honestly, I should have placed a higher expectation cause it’s that good. I really enjoyed this book a lot more than Gods of Jade and Shadow. This book gave me a lot of Crimson Peak moments because of the environment in which the book was set in.

Full review is on my blog!

With thanks to Netgalley and Quercus for allowing me to review this book.



<I>He is trying to poison me. You must come for me, Noemí. You have to save me.<\I>

<I>When glamorous socialite Noemí Taboada receives a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging to be rescued from a mysterious doom, it's clear something is desperately amiss. Catalina has always had a flair for the dramatic, but her claims that her husband is poisoning her and her visions of restless ghosts seem remarkable, even for her.
Noemí's chic gowns and perfect lipstick are more suited to cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing, but she immediately heads to High Place, a remote mansion in the Mexican countryside, determined to discover what is so affecting her cousin.<\I>

Where do I start with Mexican Gothic..

First off, it's so dark..and I loved it.

Mexican Gothic is very atmospheric, even thought it's the height of summer here in the uk, the writing style of Silvia Moreno-Garcia made me feel the coldness of High Place and it's super creepiness

Mexican Gothic is very Victorian gothicish, the characters are well rounded . Noemi is my favourite character, she is so strong willed and won't take no for an answer. Howard is the super creepy character who creeped me out every time we met him.

Mexican Gothic is a excellent horror book that will stay with me for a long while and I will be sleeping with the lights on for a bit.

Thanks is extended to Quercus (via NetGalley) for providing me with a copy of Mexican Gothic for review.

Such a creepy read!

I don't read many horror books but I always love me some haunted houses and this book gave me exactly what I wanted. The atmosphere is so creepy, the setting is absolutely fantastic and the residents of the house are so intriguing. The writing style is very accessible and paints a very vivid picture. I can picture the house and surroundings with such detail that I almost feel like I've actually been there.

My favorite thing about this book though is Noemí. She is so smart, capable and logical and I just loved watching her maneuver both the social situations and the more creepy aspects of the story. I was half expecting the stereotypically stupid horror protagonist who keeps wandering into dangerous situations but I was pleasantly surprised by her. There's also another character in here who I absolutely adore and must be protected at all cost!

All in all a fantastic read and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a creepy gothic house of horrors story!