Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - Mexican Gothic

Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

114 reviews

escapism_at_its_finest's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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brookey8888's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This starts out slow, but I was interested in what was going on the whole time. I really loved Our main character she made me laugh. Also there’s a romance which obviously isn’t the main plot but I’m a sucker for it. I also like some of the topics/themes discussed in this as well. I wasn’t scared or grossed out tbh but I still enjoyed this.

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aniwillow's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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kthedestroyer's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I have very mixed opinions about this book.
I really liked the first half. There was just this gothic, spooky vibe to it that made the book enjoyable. The characters weren't obnoxious and the pacing was good. All of this applies to the second half as well but there is something else about it that keeps me from giving this book a higher rating.
The author set up a very good mystery regarding the house of the Doyle family and the people who lived in it. Anyway, I don't think the actual ending lived up to it. The story got, well, a bit disturbing. I don't really like to read about rape or about how things (or people) rot. So yeah, slightly disturbing and gross, if you ask me.

Overall I think this book is worth reading since it contains a lot of interesting elements, some of which you would rarely see in a book. Just make sure to see the content warnings first.

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soundlysmitten's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

In a decadent, decaying manor, high above the rural town of El Triunfo, lives a strange English family. The year is 1950 and the mines the Doyles came to exploit have been in disrepair for decades, but still, the standoffish brood remains isolated a top the hill. Noemí Taboada, a socialite from Mexico City, is an unwelcome visitor. Having received a chilling letter from her cousin Catalina, who recently married into the Doyle family, Noemí arrives at High Place concerned for her wellbeing. The Doyles claim that Catalina is ill with tuberculosis and experiencing feverish delusions, but they are suspiciously controlling and prevent Noemí from spending more than a few minutes with Catalina at a time. As the days drag on, Noemí clashes with the family and feels increasingly powerless to help her cousin. When she starts having disturbing visions of her own, Noemí becomes even more desperate to sort things out and depart. But things get a whole lot weirder before the dark reality of Catalina’s illness and the house’s horrific secrets are finally revealed.

Mexican Gothic combines Latin American magic realism and historical suspense with mystery, horror, and a hint of romance. The narrative is told in third person. The beginning mostly details the dreary aspects of life at High Place. But then a series of abnormal events occur, and bizarre supernatural circumstances ultimately bring the story to a head.

This book is full of beautifully crafted depictions of unsettling things that freaked me out to the point of sleeping with the lights on. It might not be the best read for those who prefer a faster paced novel, but the writing is so atmospheric that I personally found even the instances of monotony engrossing. I did not so enjoy the most grotesque horrors, but I’m a wimp and I get sleep paralysis so I’m surprised I even picked this story up… still, no regrets.

Although most of the cast is unlikeable, I was rather fond of the main character. Capable, clever, outspoken, and flirty, Noemí is a strong heroine, but not in a stereotypical way. People underestimate her, but she challenges the standards that say to be feminine is to be weak and that a woman who fancies fashion and fun is just silly or slutty or shallow. As the author has pointed out, we don’t see many Mexican characters portrayed as anything other than maids and laborers in spite of the different socio-economic classes that exist. But Noemí comes from a degree of privilege, and her position also helps embolden her in dealing with the Doyles.

At the start, it seems like the Doyles all have relatively flat personalities. But what lies beneath the family’s austere demeanor is a sadistic ruthlessness. Shy, kind Francis is the only one with any redeemable qualities. Despite being raised up in a household of white supremacists with misplaced humanity, he does not see the world their way or behave like the rest of them. He stays passive far too long, but abuse is all he’s ever known, and it’s important to recognize how hard such things can be to escape.

In terms of messaging, Mexican Gothic contrasts the use of old gothic tropes with a modern discourse on the state of the world, broaching issues like colonialism, racism, and eugenics. The setting makes use of a less referenced part of Mexico's history. And while examining the limits of a woman’s autonomy in 1950s Mexico, the narrative also touches upon the violations women have faced across the world for millennia. I just wish it didn’t depend on repeated descriptions of sexual harassment and assault to get its point across. Certain parts felt a bit excessive to me and I’m not sure all of the graphic content was necessary.

The only other thing I wish was different is the exploration of Catalina’s character. I would’ve liked her to play a bigger role in the story, seeing as she was the whole reason Noemi ended up at High Place.

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12dejamoo's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I was really liking the beginning of this book and I did feel totally sucked into the novel. But after the ending, and further reflection, I felt quite underwhelmed. Conceptually, I think there is so much good stuff (but maybe too much?), but the execution wasn't amazing. I felt like the reveal was very out of left field and then wasn't given time to breathe because the rest of the book was just go go go.

In detail,

I think mushrooms causing a haunted house slaps as an idea. You could make it magical realism, you could ground it in real biology, you could make it feel tangible. However, mushrooms that make this one particular bloodline immortal maybe and there's also body hopping and also incest? Like what? I just didn't buy it at all as a magic system. Also I honestly don't think any of the sexual stuff was at all necessary, and even if some was included, I think it was much too much and also very graphic. Also let's maybe not have someone enjoy being raped maybe? I mean obviously it was the house but like no thank you. In terms of the ending, the whole climax was so rushed and chaotic and then suddenly like it's all okay and they lived happily ever after? Why didn't we have some emotional Francis dying moment? Maybe Catalina is too far gone as well and she can't be saved? I liked both characters a lot (I do love a botany boi) but like I wanted some emotional depth beyond it just getting prettily resolved. Also I would honestly have happily read like 100 more pages just about Dr Camarillo like I liked him he seemed cool. And some more explanation on the Marta thing would have been nice.

I just think I was expecting something very different I don't know.

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