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dglazeb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
I read this in one day which I haven’t done since before I had kids. Get 20% in and you can’t put it down!
britneygee's review against another edition
3.0
Mexican Gothic was my first experience reading anything gothic and/or horror and for the most part, I had a good time. Definitely plan to read some more gothic stories.
I do scare pretty easily, especially jump scares, so I was not sure what to expect going into this book. I was excited to discover there was a lot more gothic elements than horror, in my opinion. The story was so eerie and creepy, and the house had all the bad vibes. Early on, the themes of colonialism/racism and class were woven into this larger mystery of whatever the heck was going on with Catalina. Post reading and chatting about the book with friends, I am left with a few questions about what the author was trying to say with some narrative/character choices, but nothing that diminished the story.
None of the characters are particularly likable and everyone is a bit odd, but it’s an odd story. Noemi is a rich, socialite main character who is clearly intelligent, but ma’am it could not have been me. Girl, call in the forces and get this over with ASAP. I heard the story was slower, and I do agree with that. It could be a function of the genre though to produce the dread in the pit of your stomach, I’m not sure. I am sure though that there’s no way a reader should be past the halfway point of the story and Noemi still isn’t totally about that action. Act first, questions later.
I do scare pretty easily, especially jump scares, so I was not sure what to expect going into this book. I was excited to discover there was a lot more gothic elements than horror, in my opinion. The story was so eerie and creepy, and the house had all the bad vibes. Early on, the themes of colonialism/racism and class were woven into this larger mystery of whatever the heck was going on with Catalina. Post reading and chatting about the book with friends, I am left with a few questions about what the author was trying to say with some narrative/character choices, but nothing that diminished the story.
None of the characters are particularly likable and everyone is a bit odd, but it’s an odd story. Noemi is a rich, socialite main character who is clearly intelligent, but ma’am it could not have been me. Girl, call in the forces and get this over with ASAP. I heard the story was slower, and I do agree with that. It could be a function of the genre though to produce the dread in the pit of your stomach, I’m not sure. I am sure though that there’s no way a reader should be past the halfway point of the story and Noemi still isn’t totally about that action. Act first, questions later.
whit_knee's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
2.75
bookkaiju's review against another edition
4.0
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is, as the name suggests, a modern take on the gothic novel. The story stars Noemi Taboada, a young socialite in 1950s Mexico City. She is the daughter of the owner of a paint and dye company, so her family is quite wealthy. She spends her days waffling on what her masters will be in, playing the piano, and choosing new male friends to take her to parties. She is headstrong, defiant, quick-witted, and insightful. She is a strong protagonist, but she often butts up against the standards for women in the 1950s.
Her father sends her to go check in on her cousin, Catalina. Catalina had recently married Virgil Doyle, an English out-of-towner, after a whirlwind romance. After moving away she dropped communication with the rest of her family until she sends a disturbing letter. The letter claims that she hears voices, that the Doyles are trying to kill, and other properly gothic novel-themed issues. Another letter soon follows sent by Virgil Doyle explaining that Catalina has tuberculosis. Thus, Noemi is sent out to figure out what is actually going on and either get Catalina the help she needs or bring her home.
What follows at the Doyles’ ancestral home, “High Place,” is a classic gothic tale. There is toxic love, innocents with dark secrets, ladies dying of a mysterious illness, and a hint of the supernatural. If you have ever read a gothic novel, the overall shape of the story will seem familiar. There’s even a sort of love triangle between Noemi, the dangerous bad boy, and the decent, awkward guy.
I did love the protagonist, Noemi. She is proactive, which is seemingly rare in these types of tales. She doesn’t back down from conflict, whether interpersonal or supernatural. Also, as a reader I never found myself yelling, “Just run!” or “Don’t go in there!” Everything she did make sense for her character.
I also loved the setting. This is 1950s Mexico. They are still dealing with their history of Revolutions. The poverty of the rural areas is a constant background feature. The Doyles are a formally wealthy English family, and their racist views on the Mexican people and their role in the local village are central to the plot. Racial tension and classism for the foundation of the tale and allow the reader insight into the struggles of Mexico.
Most importantly, Moreno-Garcia has succeeded in writing a gothic novel. The story does not look out of place amongst such gothic novels as “Wuthering Heights” or “The Mysteries of Udolpho.” The author has captured what it means to be a gothic novel perfectly. The mood, the tone, the characters, and the underlying horror is a prime gothic novel.
However, there is one flaw for me. Noemi is a wonderful character with lots of depth, but in my opinion, she is the only one. Other characters feel rather flat and seem to just fill in needed tropes. Here is the alluring, evil scion of the family. There is the sad, nice guy. The cousin, whose letters kickstarted the plot, is just there. We are told what her character is like, but we saw it.
If you can look past that, though, then you are in for a wild ride. The mystery of what is actually going on will keep you reading “just one more chapter.” A definite read for anyone who loves the works of Poe or the Bronte sisters.
Her father sends her to go check in on her cousin, Catalina. Catalina had recently married Virgil Doyle, an English out-of-towner, after a whirlwind romance. After moving away she dropped communication with the rest of her family until she sends a disturbing letter. The letter claims that she hears voices, that the Doyles are trying to kill, and other properly gothic novel-themed issues. Another letter soon follows sent by Virgil Doyle explaining that Catalina has tuberculosis. Thus, Noemi is sent out to figure out what is actually going on and either get Catalina the help she needs or bring her home.
What follows at the Doyles’ ancestral home, “High Place,” is a classic gothic tale. There is toxic love, innocents with dark secrets, ladies dying of a mysterious illness, and a hint of the supernatural. If you have ever read a gothic novel, the overall shape of the story will seem familiar. There’s even a sort of love triangle between Noemi, the dangerous bad boy, and the decent, awkward guy.
I did love the protagonist, Noemi. She is proactive, which is seemingly rare in these types of tales. She doesn’t back down from conflict, whether interpersonal or supernatural. Also, as a reader I never found myself yelling, “Just run!” or “Don’t go in there!” Everything she did make sense for her character.
I also loved the setting. This is 1950s Mexico. They are still dealing with their history of Revolutions. The poverty of the rural areas is a constant background feature. The Doyles are a formally wealthy English family, and their racist views on the Mexican people and their role in the local village are central to the plot. Racial tension and classism for the foundation of the tale and allow the reader insight into the struggles of Mexico.
Most importantly, Moreno-Garcia has succeeded in writing a gothic novel. The story does not look out of place amongst such gothic novels as “Wuthering Heights” or “The Mysteries of Udolpho.” The author has captured what it means to be a gothic novel perfectly. The mood, the tone, the characters, and the underlying horror is a prime gothic novel.
However, there is one flaw for me. Noemi is a wonderful character with lots of depth, but in my opinion, she is the only one. Other characters feel rather flat and seem to just fill in needed tropes. Here is the alluring, evil scion of the family. There is the sad, nice guy. The cousin, whose letters kickstarted the plot, is just there. We are told what her character is like, but we saw it.
If you can look past that, though, then you are in for a wild ride. The mystery of what is actually going on will keep you reading “just one more chapter.” A definite read for anyone who loves the works of Poe or the Bronte sisters.
hermstefanny's review against another edition
4.0
My God, this was so good.
I must admit it, I was a little sceptical about reading a novel called 'Mexican Gothic' that is not written in Spanish. I am after all, a little territorial and hypocritical (otherwise why I am more comfortable writing/reading in English). But this story blew me away in all the good ways. I am not a fan of the gothic genre to be honest, even more if it's modern Gothic, but Moreno-Garcia may well have made me one. The ambience, the characters, the story with their plot devices is very competent and very well put together in a setting where we are not very used to develop novels of this genre. The romance was surprisingly moving and realistic for the characters I will very much like to revisit these characters if the author ever thinks it's pertinent, but I am happy with the present ending as well.
I must admit it, I was a little sceptical about reading a novel called 'Mexican Gothic' that is not written in Spanish. I am after all, a little territorial and hypocritical (otherwise why I am more comfortable writing/reading in English). But this story blew me away in all the good ways. I am not a fan of the gothic genre to be honest, even more if it's modern Gothic, but Moreno-Garcia may well have made me one. The ambience, the characters, the story with their plot devices is very competent and very well put together in a setting where we are not very used to develop novels of this genre. The romance was surprisingly moving and realistic for the characters
Spoiler
Bonus points for getting my boy Francis out of that house. At one point I thought that he will sacrifice himself.booksbea's review against another edition
4.0
3.8
Overall good gothic book. However, I wished the author trusted more the reader to interpret what was going on. Some aspects of the book felt over-explained.
Overall good gothic book. However, I wished the author trusted more the reader to interpret what was going on. Some aspects of the book felt over-explained.
clockworkchapters's review against another edition
3.0
About the book:-
Noemi Taboada is a young socialite who lives in Mexico City in the 1950s and enjoys flirting a little too much. One day, while she is at a costume party, her father calls and demands she come home right away to deal with an urgent family situation.
Noemi's father has received a very disturbing letter from Catalina her cousin. Catalina who has married a mysterious man named Virgil Doyle a year ago but she hasn't been seen or heard from since her marriage.
Catalina's letter consist of disturbing information about ghosts, voices and mysterious creatures in the walls of decaying house. This makes Noemi's father suspicious and he asks Neomi to visit her cousin as a bribe in exchange for him to finance her further education.
Doyle family and their ancestral home is full of mysteries and dark secrets.
My thoughts:-
Neomi's character is very vibrant and well developed. She is the obvious protagonist who is on a mission to unearth Doyle family secrets and save Catalina at any cost. At first Neomi is shown as shallow and flighty but as the story progress her character is well developed. The other characters were not as impressive they serve a purpose but I found them underwritten in some way or the other. The Doyle's are very eccentric bunch and are a great source of substance in the story.
Another good detail in the book is the motifs which are often scary and creepy. The back story about the Doyle family history is very disquieting and unsettling.
The story moves in slow pace and I got frustrated with the characters and especially Neomi when the most obvious conclusion takes her too long to realise. The romantic sub plot between Neomi and Francis was not impressive. Most of the book is not even scary, creepy and disturbing yes but not enough scary. I expected bit more from the book and it had the potential. There are some triggers and disturbing themes like intermarry, eugenics and assault.
Overall it was a average read but the story has potential and worth reading if you like horror gothic genre.
Noemi Taboada is a young socialite who lives in Mexico City in the 1950s and enjoys flirting a little too much. One day, while she is at a costume party, her father calls and demands she come home right away to deal with an urgent family situation.
Noemi's father has received a very disturbing letter from Catalina her cousin. Catalina who has married a mysterious man named Virgil Doyle a year ago but she hasn't been seen or heard from since her marriage.
Catalina's letter consist of disturbing information about ghosts, voices and mysterious creatures in the walls of decaying house. This makes Noemi's father suspicious and he asks Neomi to visit her cousin as a bribe in exchange for him to finance her further education.
Doyle family and their ancestral home is full of mysteries and dark secrets.
My thoughts:-
Neomi's character is very vibrant and well developed. She is the obvious protagonist who is on a mission to unearth Doyle family secrets and save Catalina at any cost. At first Neomi is shown as shallow and flighty but as the story progress her character is well developed. The other characters were not as impressive they serve a purpose but I found them underwritten in some way or the other. The Doyle's are very eccentric bunch and are a great source of substance in the story.
Another good detail in the book is the motifs which are often scary and creepy. The back story about the Doyle family history is very disquieting and unsettling.
The story moves in slow pace and I got frustrated with the characters and especially Neomi when the most obvious conclusion takes her too long to realise. The romantic sub plot between Neomi and Francis was not impressive. Most of the book is not even scary, creepy and disturbing yes but not enough scary. I expected bit more from the book and it had the potential. There are some triggers and disturbing themes like intermarry, eugenics and assault.
Overall it was a average read but the story has potential and worth reading if you like horror gothic genre.
trapwomanistcyborgwitch's review against another edition
5.0
Yo... this book was amazing. Very weird and slow, but I loved that sisterly bond Noemí and Catalina had. Noemí is my favorite heroine right now. Also LOVED how the themes of colorism,eugenics, and colonalism was woven into the story. Amazing.
bunny_herondale's review against another edition
4.0
No le pongo 5 estrellas porque tarda un poco en arrancar, sin embargo me gustó bastante.
Lo que sí es que es una historia para leer con estómago fuerte porque las menciones a hongos, putrefacción, canibalismo, asesinato, incesto y las descripciones a los sentimientos y el aspecto de varias asquerosidades no se quedan cortos.
Si les interesa el horror/terror y les gustan libros con representación latinoamericana, desarrollados en Latinoamérica con una autora latinoamericana, aunque esté escrita en inglés, vale la pena leer a Silvia Moreno-García
Lo que sí es que es una historia para leer con estómago fuerte porque las menciones a hongos, putrefacción, canibalismo, asesinato, incesto y las descripciones a los sentimientos y el aspecto de varias asquerosidades no se quedan cortos.
Si les interesa el horror/terror y les gustan libros con representación latinoamericana, desarrollados en Latinoamérica con una autora latinoamericana, aunque esté escrita en inglés, vale la pena leer a Silvia Moreno-García