Reviews with content warning for Suicide - Mexická gotika

I really enjoyed this book and I don't have too much to say. I feel it's pretty solidly 4 stars, I might drop it to 3.5 if I think overthink everything. Only have 2 real complaints.

1. In a lot of author interviews, Silvia Moreno-Garcia states that one of the core gothic horror tropes is an 'alluring but dangerous man'. And I am assuming that Virgil is supposed to fill that role in this story. However, whatever 'allure' he may have had, quickly faded for me when

he started echoing all the things his father said. Would he probably hold those views? Yes, absolutely. But the fact that Noemi really started thirsting for him after he told her he believes in inferior races, girl. I cope by thinking the shrooms had infested her brain at that point.

2. This point is all spoilers so-

The ending. I am a huge fan of bittersweet/gut-wrenching endings so this complaint is for me and me alone. All of the good guys survived. I won't say they lived happily-ever-after as the author has flirted with the idea of a sequel, but yeah. I get why the author chose to have Francis and Catalina survive, but part of me wished one of them got messed up in the end. They are both the 'princess in the tower' that Noemi saves, a play on her earlier wish. I wish Catalina had more scenes because I wanted her inevitable killing of Virgil to have more weight, but it just didn't. They barely interact. Was he a shitty husband? Probably, but do we ever see it directly? No. If there had been a scene earlier in the book where Noemi sees Catalina seem perfectly fine with Virgil, but she moves away from him every time he gets closer or something to that extent would have even been enough. Justice for Catalina she deserved more development.

Content Warnings

ronjaorsomething's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The book started out rather slow but then it got really intense and unhinged (in a good way) really fast. The author definitely knows how to create tension and shock moments. At first the mc didn't really seem likable but she grows on you and it's really interesting to see how she deals with the situation.

Content Warnings

emilemilemily5's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Content Warnings

cakegeek's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark slow-paced

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

3.5

Content Warnings

rmcassel's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

livelylizzzzz's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

* A creepy and poetically dark mystery *

Mexican Gothic had me hooked from the beginning not only because of the mysterious premise but also the style of writing. The style of writing reminded me a little of something from Mary Shelley. (Although it's been a while since I've read Frankenstein.) The style of writing is very poetic and dark with a nice hint of embedded narrative. This was my first ever Audiobook so I really enjoyed the narration by Frankie Corzo as well, her voice was very soothing and went well with the tone of the book.

Noemi Taboada receives a letter from her cousin Catalina that insists that her newly wed husband is trying to kill her. This immediately gives a sense of urgency and intrigue as Noemi travels outside of her home to help her cousin. Upon arrival she finds her cousin is sick and with her sanity in question. Not only does Noemi seek to help her cousin but also questions just who are the Doyle's, the family in which Catalina has married into so suddenly.

I automatically connected with the protagonist Noemi and found her to be very likeable and sassy. I knew instantly that going through the journey of this mystery, with this character, was going to be entertaining and refreshing. The setting is in 1950s Mexico, the way of life was far different then now, so the topics of racism and sexism held importance within the story. Just these topics alone sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions, with me having to remind myself that back then woman were viewed differently and acted differently as well. This was my first gothic novel in years, so I definitely had to adjust. Not only did those types of topics emerge but also some with much more disturbing natures, such as body horror, gore, incest and assault. So this is a warning to those that might be a little more sensitive to those types of topics and themes.

After adjusting to the raw, yet poetic, nature of the story, I found myself invested deeply into solving the mystery that is the Doyle Family. The novel is extremely character driven which is fascinating yet can drag on at times. This book is definitely a slow burn read, but has a thrilling and exciting, well worth it, ending. If I could change anything I'd like to see more of the facts and folklore of the story that was a bit rushed towards the end, to be fleshed out more in the middle of the story. I feel this would add more to the mystery of the Doyle family and the dark atmosphere the story held.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading my first Gothic and era driven novel in years. I would definitely recommend this story to others and I am looking forward to seeing it's Netflix adaptation.

Content Warnings

garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The first big reveal was kind of an obvious one, but they took it in an unexpected direction. It was interesting and well written.

Content Warnings

ecster's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Really enjoyed this dark gothic horror set in 1950s Mexico, a great allegory of intergenerational trauma and memory and colonization

Content Warnings

More...