Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

159 reviews

ebp's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Rape, Misogyny, Child death, Racism, Classism, Violence, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexism, Colonisation, Confinement, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, and Body horror

Moderate: Terminal illness, Gun violence, Drug use, Blood, Suicide, Incest, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Cannibalism, Bullying, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Miscarriage

sonaea's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

I really can't rate this book. One could argue for every single possible rating.

I really liked the first half (4+ stars) though there are a lot of problematic things in there (esp. in the later half) that aren't handled very well/believably (~2 stars).

At the start there's not a lot of plot but rather a lot of just the vibes of dark, creepy houses, though the plot picks up at about the middle. I was surprised by the solution to the puzzle as I did not expect

it to be some kind of supernatural thing going on, I actually thought the plants in the greenhouse were poisonous and the family poisoned the cousins

. What it turned out to be was a bit irritating at first but once I got over that, the rest of the read was quite enjoyable.
I really liked that Noemí is headstrong, intelligent and doesn't let people run her over. That made an interesting protagonist and the setting was quite nice too as I haven't read many books set in historic Mexico (though that wasn't really in the focus of the story).

I also liked how she slowly gets to know Francis and I think their relationship to each other is really interesting.

Also, I feared they wouldn't burn the house down but then they did so I'm glad, that was absolutely called for.

What could have used a bit more work is the pacing (at the first half of the book next to nothing happens, it's just all vibes and setting and only the slightest hints, while in the second half it's reveal after reveal). I would have liked that to be more stretched out in the book.
Also the action scenes at the end were not written like action scenes but rather just the same as the scenes about the setting (short descriptions, all the sentences about the same length, no focus on anything. There was next to no suspense in the writing. The only bit of suspense came from the plot though that wasn't a lot because

the way the book was set up, the way that books work, it was kind of obvious they'd make it out of it alive

). So that could have made the book a lot better.

!!! Also there are a LOT of pretty heavy topics in this book, some CNs would have been appreciated!!!

CN r*pe:

Also there are a few scenes where Virgil (nearly) rapes Noemí and that seems to have next to no emotional impact on Noemí?! At first I get it because she thought it was just a dream but then she figured out it wasn't and Virgil continues his doings?! So how the hell can she just act as if all that didn't happen?
That's a part where I think some character work would have been necessary. Her reacting shocked and then continuing as if normal really doesn't fit the situation.

CN c*n*balism:

also wth why is this mentioned in a side sentence and then just totally ignored? How does that not have any effect on the protagonist's psyche? I get that the psyche wasn't the center of the book (though why? Isn't Neomí actually really interested in that?) But the characters learn about that and it has literally NO IMPACT on any of their actions!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gore, Misogyny, Incest, Sexual assault, Murder, Classism, and Racism

Moderate: Terminal illness, Suicide, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual violence, Stalking, Gore, Gun violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Violence

Minor: Vomit and Miscarriage

There are A LOT of problematic things happening. Most are mentioned, the description style of the book isn't one that goes into detail much. I tried to find most things that should have a CN, but I certainly didn't get every single one. So do be careful when reading this book! (Also I added 'toxic relationship' by which 'toxic family-relationship' is meant)

berrypatch's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Brilliant, grotesque, novel, and straight up nasty. Wonderful strong female protagonist, truly hatable villains, and scenes to make you wish you hadn't eaten dinner. Rounded characters all, incredible science and folklore, and an enticing and constantly evolving plot. Strong recommend!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Body horror, Suicide, Rape, Incest, and Colonisation

Minor: Miscarriage and Cannibalism

violentte's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

"Mexican Gothic" presents a compelling narrative reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" (although I have not seen many make this connection) albeit set in Mexico and intertwined with underlying race issues. Throughout the story, the gripping plot held my attention, although it received a rating of 4 stars due to certain areas that left me wishing for further exploration.

Firstly, I longed for more depth into the character of Catalina, the cousin at the center of the tale. While glimpses of her backstory and personality were provided through flashbacks and Noemí's commentary, they proved insufficient. Strengthening the narrative could have been achieved through dual perspectives, offering insights from both Catalina and Noemí or by dedicating several chapters—perhaps 5 to 10— to Catalina's experiences post-marriage, leading up to her pivotal letter to Noemí.

Additionally, greater insight into Francis would have enhanced comprehension surrounding his motivations, particularly concerning his

betrayal of his mother

. While Noemí's burgeoning feelings for him were evident, his own sentiments remained unclear. Did he reciprocate her affection, or was there another driving force behind his actions?

Overall, "Mexican Gothic" delivers a captivating narrative with echoes of classic literature, but the potential for deeper character exploration leaves room for improvement. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Violence, Sexism, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, Racism, Death, Suicide, Sexual assault, Murder, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Physical abuse, Incest, Gore, Gaslighting, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Body horror

misssleepy's review against another edition

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

3.75

This book was definitely a slow burn. It was certainly spooky and the imagery was disturbing. The main character, Neomí, was very likeable though most of the characters were despicable. I was rooting for Neomí and her cousin the entire book. I think the horror elements were explained in a very interesting way that actually made a lot of sense. The ending came together really well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Vomit, Incest, and Blood

abzster53's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Slow start, but it picked up around chapter 17 or 19 and overall I really enjoyed the book.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Xenophobia, Racism, Sexism, Violence, and Torture

arayo's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Body horror, Confinement, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Cursing, Gun violence, Cannibalism, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Child death, and Sexual content

filipacmiranda's review against another edition

3.0

This is probably the weirdest book I read in 2023 (maybe in my life?). That being said, I don't quite know if I liked it or not... 

For the first two-thirds of Mexican Gothic, I thought the story would run along the lines of historical fiction and mystery. I enjoyed getting to know Noemí Taboada with her witty personality, High Place and its quirks. Suddenly, magical, poisonous mushrooms

- that grow out of a semi-death person -

came into play, and everything became gradually stranger. 

I read this book around Halloween. I appreciated the spooky atmosphere, the patriarch's immortality, and the ancient magic element. Even so, I ended up realising I was still reading it simply because I wanted to know if Noemí, Catalina and Frank would get out alive. 

Not bad at all. I guess it's just not my type of book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Xenophobia, and Gore

Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury

sinaliento's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense

5.0

this was my first time reading horror and it was pretty good. 

it’s definitely a slow burn during which i was delighted, distressed and disgusted by the atmosphere the author creates. those dreams… one of them gave me goosebumps.

i also liked that bittersweet last page, tainted with hope and uncertainty.

as mexican, i appreciate that moreno-garcía didn't mention the día de muertos. 

it remembers me of crimson peak and that’s not a complaint at all. /srs

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism

Moderate: Racism, Violence, Sexual assault, Murder, and Incest

Minor: Cannibalism and Xenophobia

judassilver's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Blood, Gaslighting, Classism, Body horror, Gun violence, Confinement, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Child death, Incest, Cannibalism, Sexual harassment, Violence, Sexual assault, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Death, and Misogyny

Moderate: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Forced institutionalization