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readwithleigh's review against another edition
4.0
i picked this book up as a "blind date" from my library, and i am so glad i did. it's not something i ever would have chosen for myself, but it was truly a pleasure to read. there was only one thing that i was able to predict, everything else was perfectly suspenseful.
my only issue is that i wish the book had been a bit longer! i think it would have been more horrifying had it been drawn out.
my only issue is that i wish the book had been a bit longer! i think it would have been more horrifying had it been drawn out.
emmaemmaemmaemma's review against another edition
4.0
Visiting Mexico City around Halloween? Looking for a creepy novel set in the same locale? Maybe not, but I was, and this fit the bill. Mexican Gothic was perfectly set as most of the novel took place in the area just outside of Pachuca, which I happened to also spend part of my trip in.
Noemi is new money, and not easily controlled, two attributes that become important to the story that unfurls as she goes on a quest to discover the truth behind her cousin and the eerie letter she sent in a moment of lucidity.
Blood, nightmares, and a mycelial chokehold come together to weave a strictly unsettling story, that somehow also holds romance in the quieter moments. I would have loved to have experienced more of this novel outside of the home, but understand why it took place where it did. Howard is one of the most disgusting pictures a book has ever painted for me, and I’m happy to be done with this book in the sense that it means I never have to have his attributes described to me again.
Noemi is new money, and not easily controlled, two attributes that become important to the story that unfurls as she goes on a quest to discover the truth behind her cousin and the eerie letter she sent in a moment of lucidity.
Blood, nightmares, and a mycelial chokehold come together to weave a strictly unsettling story, that somehow also holds romance in the quieter moments. I would have loved to have experienced more of this novel outside of the home, but understand why it took place where it did. Howard is one of the most disgusting pictures a book has ever painted for me, and I’m happy to be done with this book in the sense that it means I never have to have his attributes described to me again.
mjsruff's review against another edition
4.0
Solid 4.5! This was not what I thought it would be. Twists and turns and killer mushrooms. Literally
tsalagitiffany's review against another edition
2.0
I almost quit reading this several times. The first 70% is really slow. Then there's a ridiculous twist. I'll admit the last quarter of the book is exciting, but I still wouldn't recommend it.
annagrace357's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
emmeleprose's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
taliereadsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
This novel threw me back to sitting in a feminist literature course in college. Back then, I imagine, I would have probably enjoyed this novel more. I would have probably written a lengthy analysis on it as well.
Mexican Gothic is like an updated version of/love letter to the Victorian gothic novels and riddled with allusions to stories we all read as English majors: a little Jane Eyre, a little Wuthering Heights, some of “The Yellow Wallpaper” and “House of Seven Gables,” and of course Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Or rather, just Doyle (IYKYK).
I liked that the novel wasted no time in getting started (same for its conclusion), but my goodness did it take its sweet time in the middle. The plot seemed to drag on and on, and if I weren’t reading this for book club, I would have given up on it.
There seemed to be a theme about the need for female authorship in the literary canon and why women like Noemí (who are opinionated, outspoken, and independent) are frequently rejected from and even punished by it (because only men can be Byronic heroes). These voices are, instead, strangled by the patriarchal canon and forced to learn its ins and outs (the rules) to either play along or simply watch “superior” voices do it the “right” way.
The problem with this notion, of course, is that it’s been done…and done and done and done before.
But there were also messages warning about the horrors of eugenics, colonialism, and racism that are often sought out and even praised in the works of male authors. Therefore, this tale is not only about the need for female authorship, but female authorship that is more diverse—to kill the traditional canon and the toxicity it carries/spreads (like a damn fungus) along with it.
While these themes are hella valuable and worthy, the way the the plot carried out was—in my opinion—just messy. But perhaps this disorganization was intentional. After all, women (especially women of color) have to find different routes to achieve even comparable levels of success to their white male counterparts.
Mexican Gothic is like an updated version of/love letter to the Victorian gothic novels and riddled with allusions to stories we all read as English majors: a little Jane Eyre, a little Wuthering Heights, some of “The Yellow Wallpaper” and “House of Seven Gables,” and of course Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Or rather, just Doyle (IYKYK).
I liked that the novel wasted no time in getting started (same for its conclusion), but my goodness did it take its sweet time in the middle. The plot seemed to drag on and on, and if I weren’t reading this for book club, I would have given up on it.
There seemed to be a theme about the need for female authorship in the literary canon and why women like Noemí (who are opinionated, outspoken, and independent) are frequently rejected from and even punished by it (because only men can be Byronic heroes). These voices are, instead, strangled by the patriarchal canon and forced to learn its ins and outs (the rules) to either play along or simply watch “superior” voices do it the “right” way.
The problem with this notion, of course, is that it’s been done…and done and done and done before.
But there were also messages warning about the horrors of eugenics, colonialism, and racism that are often sought out and even praised in the works of male authors. Therefore, this tale is not only about the need for female authorship, but female authorship that is more diverse—to kill the traditional canon and the toxicity it carries/spreads (like a damn fungus) along with it.
While these themes are hella valuable and worthy, the way the the plot carried out was—in my opinion—just messy. But perhaps this disorganization was intentional. After all, women (especially women of color) have to find different routes to achieve even comparable levels of success to their white male counterparts.
saraireads's review against another edition
4.0
Noemi's cousin has married and moved to High Place to start her new life. When Noemi's father receives a strange letter from her cousin, Noemi volunteers to visit High Place and check in on her. The inhabitants of High Place are eccentric, and her cousin is not acting like her usual self, but the longer Noemi is at High Place, the more she realizes there's something more sinister at play.
This was a pleasant surprise. I thought it was going to be a gothic novel similar to Rebecca by du Maurier, but it ended up being a full on horror novel (which I liked!). The audiobook was excellent. The plot is slow and meandering at first, but I expected that because gothic novels typically need to ~set the scene~ and that takes a bit of time. Even though it was slower in the beginning, the mystery of High Place and the family hooked me in right away. I needed to know what was going on and I had soo many theories.
I was not ready for the reveal at the end! Unexpected, horrifying and it was written so well you felt like you were seeing exactly what was going on. I found it so satisfying and I can genuinely say I haven't read anything like it. I will definitely be reading more by Moreno-Garcia.
This was a pleasant surprise. I thought it was going to be a gothic novel similar to Rebecca by du Maurier, but it ended up being a full on horror novel (which I liked!). The audiobook was excellent. The plot is slow and meandering at first, but I expected that because gothic novels typically need to ~set the scene~ and that takes a bit of time. Even though it was slower in the beginning, the mystery of High Place and the family hooked me in right away. I needed to know what was going on and I had soo many theories.
I was not ready for the reveal at the end! Unexpected, horrifying and it was written so well you felt like you were seeing exactly what was going on. I found it so satisfying and I can genuinely say I haven't read anything like it. I will definitely be reading more by Moreno-Garcia.
melrosemelanie's review against another edition
3.0
I absolutely adored Gods of Jade and Shadow so I gave Mexican Gothic a shot. Moreno-Garcia has an engaging and descriptive writing style but this particular book is not for me. Mexian Gothic was a step too far in the creepy department for this self proclaimed wuss. If dark and twisted is your thing, give it a try.