Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

50 reviews

aksmith92's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-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

The setup: Noemí Taboada is partying it up in Mexico City, flirting with cute men, attending debutant-like balls and events, and pondering what she should do with her life when her father notifies her that they have received quite an alarming letter from Noemí's cousin Catalina. The letter reads as if Catalina needs some psychiatric help—she sees ghosts, the walls talk to her, and she is having intense nightmares. It doesn't help that Catalina recently got married to essentially a stranger, and one of European descent no less. They live with his family in the Mexican countryside, where his British lineage once made a name for themselves exploited Mexicans in the mining industry.

Noemí isn't necessarily the closest with her cousin, but she is worried, and her father offers to pay for her anthropology school if she goes to investigate. Therefore, Noemí treks to High Place, where Catalina lives with Virgil, her husband, Virgil's father, Howard, and others in the family, including Florence, Virgil's cousin, and Francis, Florence's son. Noemí discovers that Catalina isn't well, but everything is not as it seems. We trek on a journey with Noemí as she discovers a house that brings about nightmares and a family's past that unravels long-time secrets.

What I liked: I'm going to preface my entire review with this fact: I knew going into this that this wasn't as scary as it may have been set out to be. I forget where I heard it, but I knew that this was not a jump scare horror novel. Regardless, this is an odd tale that intertwines a creepy family and some natural wonders (but not in the best way!). I honestly loved the "horror" aspect to this - an utterly unhinged family and their story and a captivating plot around a house of horrors. I found it unique and compelling. I'm being vague for a reason - I don't want to give any spoilers to the house of horrors, but I thought it was exciting and original. This story made me cringe at parts, so while it didn't scare me a lot, it psychologically spooked me in other ways. Additionally, I thought Noemí was a refreshing and lovely character. She somehow didn't annoy me, which is quite challenging in a thriller/mystery/horror novel like this one. The main character inevitably decides something to further the plot where you want to scream "NO!" That didn't happen to me here, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The slight romance plot was also refreshing as Noemí most certainly didn't act like a woman of the 1950s (at least by American standards). I liked this novel's plot, thriller aspect, and characters.

Lastly, I was struck by the novel's profound symbolism, particularly its exploration of colonialism and racism. The theme of eugenics, set in 1950s Mexico, was a powerful reminder of the country's history. The Spanish conquest, the Revolution, and the exploitation of the land and its people by colonizers all resonated strongly. This voice, so prevalent in the novel, was a necessary and thought-provoking element.

What could have been better: Like many reviews, I must acknowledge that the pacing was a bit uneven. The first half of the book was admittedly slow, but the last 20% picked up dramatically. However, even during the slower parts, I was still invested in Noemí's journey, and it kept me hooked. Some parts were slightly predictable and occasionally dull, and the horror element wasn't as pronounced as I expected (or, at least, in the way I expected). Also, the writing was not atmospheric or flowery for a gothic novel. Still, the gothic elements were at least described - particularly an old, outdated house with no electricity and plenty of bad weather, mist, and fog hovering on the mountain. 

Lastly—and this didn't impact my review, but I think for expectation sake, I will share—this book did not necessarily explain the how behind the horror-like element of it; you were just expected to roll with it. Did it make a ton of sense? No. Nor was there a lot of time explaining it. However, was it interesting and a great take on something different in the genre? Absolutely. 

Overall, I enjoyed this novel, even when the pacing prevented me from rating it higher. I particularly liked the natural elements that weaved into the overall premise, and it was generally well done. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Gore, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Violence

Moderate: Rape and Cursing

Attempted rape, but it does not happen. However, there is a sexual assault. Suicide is on page, multiple places. Suicide attempt also on page.

kbowles24's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Incest, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Rape, Gun violence, Cannibalism, Violence, Classism, Confinement, Sexism, Racism, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Vomit, Infertility, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Blood, Child death, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, and Infidelity

saffic's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Colonisation, Incest, Death, Racism, and Sexual assault

Minor: Suicide and Suicide attempt

Colonization is the big back drop of this whole story. With colonization comes racism, classism, etc. The other big horror looming over the story is eugenics. If the discussions/mention/themes of eugenics are a big problem for you, back out now.

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

mblanke's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Murder, Torture, Violence, Gore, Confinement, Death, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, and Child death

Moderate: Rape and Pregnancy

celery's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Cannibalism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Miscarriage, Child death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Racism, Rape, Body horror, Classism, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Infertility, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Violence, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Incest, Pregnancy, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual content, Vomit, Terminal illness, Infidelity, Medical content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

alexbrown's review against another edition

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

Moderate: Sexism and Sexual assault

Minor: Mental illness, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Child death, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Murder, Death, and Violence

slavic_bookworm's review against another edition

challenging 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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Miscarriage, Violence, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Gun violence, Body horror, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Sexism, Mental illness, Gore, Torture, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Stalking, Death, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Incest, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Cannibalism and Rape

courtney_scott1025's review against another edition

dark tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

I read Silver Nitrate first, and I did not enjoy it as much. I am very glad I gave Silvia Moreno-Garcia a second chance and read this book. It was the slow burn that I love. All of the sudden I was in the throws of it and everything was being uncovered. Silver Nitrate had many more magical elements, that I did not enjoy. If you read any other SMG novels first and are iffy on reading this, do it. I loved the characters, learning about Mexican history and the golden age of Hollywood during the 1950s. It was a joy to read, I just did not particularly like the way it ended. (Too happy for me)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, Pedophilia, Racism, Violence, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Rape

yungblonde's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Racial slurs, Rape, Grief, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Body horror, Classism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Incest, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Infertility, Cannibalism, Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Alcohol